By Herman M. Lagon Good sportsmanship is essential in athletics. Fair competition thrives on mutual respect for teammates, opponents and officials. True sportsmanship shifts the focus from winning alone to the character-building process inherent in every game. In a world driven by accolades and medals, the sportsmanlike athlete finds value in integrity just as much …
Impulses
RSCUAA ‘24: One region, one game
By Herman M. Lagon The excitement is palpable as the RSCUAA Sports Festival and Conference 2024 kicks off in Western Visayas. Beginning December 15, 2024, athletes, coaches, students, parents, and supporters from across the region converge at the Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST) and various sports venues to compete, celebrate and …
The batchmates return!
By Herman M. Lagon After over three decades, attending a face-to-face high school reunion is a whirlwind of memories and emotions. My University of Iloilo High School (UIHS) Batch of 1991 is coming together this weekend, bridging miles and years. We have walked different paths, spreading across the country and even the globe, yet the …
Why do sports matter in schools?
By Herman M. Lagon Imagine the energy of the Tamasak gymnasium filled with cheers, the buzz of excitement in the upcoming RSCUAA 2024 Opening Ceremonies, or the shared thrill of scoring a point in a classroom volleyball game. For many, sports are more than games; they are life’s best teachers. In schools, sports are foundational …
Unveiling the spirit behind team names, colors
By Herman M. Lagon In every state university, team names and colors are more than just labels — they reflect the school’s heart and soul. As the Western Visayas Regional State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (RSCUAA) Sports Festival and Conference 2024 approaches, schools from across the region will unite in Iloilo to compete from …
Dodging the straw man
By Herman M. Lagon In everyday conversations — whether with a friend, a colleague or in the heated worlds of politics and social media — it’s all too easy to fall into the “straw man” trap. This tactic distorts someone’s argument, making it easier to dismiss. Imagine setting up a scarecrow (or taó-táo) in a …
The noble villains
By Herman M. Lagon In many film universes, the best villains are those driven by almost sympathetic causes rather than pure destruction. Thanos, Magneto and Ra’s al Ghul are more than one-dimensional villains; they want to save the universe from overpopulation, protect mutants or restore balance. These anti-villains operate in moral gray areas, challenging our ideas of …
Think again, please!
By Herman M. Lagon In education, “critical thinking” is thrown around like candy. Touted as the golden skill everyone must master, it has been diluted, misunderstood and misrepresented like most overused terms. Today, “critical thinking” is often equated with basic problem-solving or parroting information without reflection. Really, what is critical thinking? More importantly, how do …
Greatness defined
By Herman M. Lagon Basketball’s Greatest of All Time controversy frequently erupts over who merits the moniker. One name always seems to come up, whether in online forums, contentious conversations at sports bars or family dinners: Michael Jeffrey Jordan. Furthermore, this belief is not just fueled by bias or nostalgia from older fans. Not only …
The ‘tatsulok’ of inequality
By Herman M. Lagon Rom Dongeto’s “Tatsulok” was performed by Buklod in the late 1980s, Bamboo in the 2000s, and Ben&Ben in the 2020s. This song’s timeless appeal is due to its powerful message and cross-era appeal. “Tatsulok” criticizes the socio-political pyramid, in which the rich get richer and the poor get poorer, which is …