By Herman M . Lagon We live in a world quietly guided by invisible rules — those unspoken cues we’re never formally taught, yet somehow instinctively follow. They don’t show up in manuals or school syllabi, but they shape our days just the same. These quiet norms make life a little less awkward, a …
OPINION
The battle for the sperm and right to life
By Dennis Gorecho The “right to life” line in the abortion debate centers on conflicting rights, particularly the moral status of a fetus versus bodily autonomy of the mother. Anti-abortion groups argue that a fetus is a person with a right to life, and therefore abortion is morally wrong, while pro-choice groups argue a person’s …
Social IQ: The real game changer
By Herman M. Lagon Years of embarrassing meetings let me realize that intelligence is insufficient for success. Being an introvert, social events drain me; occasionally, even small talks feel demanding. But life does not allow isolation, particularly in cases of leadership that call for cooperation and connection. Assuming administrative and cooperative roles in academia and …
When we fail to practice what we preach
By Sonny Angara The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) held in January the country’s first National Galunggong Summit. This was in the wake of last year’s controversies about dwindling stocks of round scad or galunggong and the government’s subsequent moves to allow importation to stabilize prices. The aim was to rally stakeholders around …
When we fail to practice what we preach
By Fr. Roy Cimagala We should not be too surprised and bothered by this phenomenon. Given our human limitations and weaknesses, this predicament can take place anytime and often. What we need to do is to go immediately to God, ask for pardon and the grace to begin again. Our failures should not alienate us …
‘Vaccines do not cause autism’ —WHO
A new analysis by the World Health Organization (WHO) reaffirmed there is no link between vaccines and autism — contrary to theories being propagated in the United States. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last month revised its website with language that undermines its previous, scientifically-grounded position that immunizations do not cause …
Bicol express rider
By Ade S. Fajardo In its unanimous decision penned by Justice Amy Lazaro, the Supreme Court summarized the PhilHealth brouhaha as follows: On December 11, 2023, the BCC (bicameral conference committee) submitted its report to both the House of Representatives and the Senate, recommending the approval of House Bill No. 8980 which, first, reflected an …
We told them thusly
By Herman M. Lagon The mood always shifts when someone cracks a hard truth with a grin. These days, one line has become shorthand in classrooms, sari-sari stores, FB posts, and jeepney queues: “We told them thusly.” Borrowed from “TBBT” Sheldon Cooper’s smug wit, it is less a taunt than a coping tool. Teachers mutter …
Study: Rising temperatures slowing early childhood dev’t
Climate change, including extreme heat and frequent heat waves, is already known to harm ecosystems, agriculture and human health. New evidence now suggests that increasing temperatures may also slow key aspects of early childhood development, according to Science Daily. Published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, the study reports that children who experienced …
When patience runs thin
By Herman M. Lagon We all have them — those little things that poke at our patience until it wears dangerously thin. Maybe it’s the tita who cuts the line at the grocery. Or the beachgoer who treats the sand like their trash bin. To some, these may seem petty. But for those who value …