By Herman M. Lagon This Monday, August 25, we mark National Heroes Day once again. It is a date thick with reflection — on revolutions fought, sacrifices made and the courage required to stand for something greater than oneself. Just last week, we remembered the martyrdom of Ninoy Aquino. Not too long ago, we honored …
OPINION
Mental health on the ground
By Herman M. Lagon Some jobs are so woven into community life that we hardly notice them — until a crisis hits. Across the country’s barangays, Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) are the neighbors you know — dropping by to check your blood pressure, bring vitamins or remind you about the kids’ vaccines. In my recent presentation at the International Social …
Fill the heart with wisdom and love
By Fr. Roy Cimagala That story in the Bible about the Queen of Sheba being very impressed with the wisdom of Solomon (cfr. 1 Kings 10:1-10) and that gospel episode about Christ telling the people that what defiles a man is what comes out from the heart rather than what goes into the mouth (cfr. …
Rights, respect, restrooms
By Herman M. Lagon A simple trip to the restroom in Iloilo turned complicated when a transgender woman was stopped at Marymart. In seconds, a simple trip to the restroom turned into a viral flashpoint. Phones came out, videos spread, and netizens quickly chose sides. Soon the age-old question was back on the table: Whose …
Budget reform is not a show — it’s a commitment
By Ignacio R. Bunye In the Philippines, every peso matters. And every promise made through the national budget affects real lives — especially those of ordinary Filipinos. That’s why the budget isn’t just numbers on paper. It’s a reflection of our values. It shows who we care about, what we choose to fix, and …
The latest on oral health (Part 2)
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim We continue to share the latest information on oral health, according to current data from the World Health Organization (WHO). According to the United Nations health agency, there are several issues pertaining to oral health. They are: Dental caries or tooth decay Dental caries results when plaque forms on the …
Heroes do bleed too
By Herman M. Lagon There are moments in history when a person shows up not as the perfect hero, but simply as the right person in the right place at the right time. On August 21, 1983, Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr. stepped off a plane knowing the risks, armed with nothing but conviction and a …
‘Be disruptors for good’
By Dennis Gorecho “Never stop asking the hard questions and be disruptors for good.” Veteran journalist Jessica Soho reminded graduating students to be one with the community and society during her speech as guest speaker at the University of the Philippines-Diliman (UPD) 114th General Commencement Exercises in July 2025. The theme for the 2025 celebrations …
Vice Ganda punchline
By Herman M. Lagon We have always known how to laugh in the face of hardship. From the streets of Quiapo to small-town plazas, humor has never been just pastime; it has been survival and protest rolled into one. That is why the uproar over Vice Ganda’s “jet ski holiday” skit feels exaggerated — and …
Culture as an economic resource
By Sonny Angara The Senate’s finance committee had a hearing on the budgets of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and its attached agencies. There, I encouraged the NCCA to coordinate with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on an ongoing project to paint murals on the walls and banks along the …