Serene Dip It

At year end, Our Daily Bread Bible readings are from Revelation. Then, History features 10 Ways How the World Will End.

What we are sure of is now. All we have to work on. Peace!

Pasa Load

If one welcomes it, not so Pasa Ring. Unless it is accompanied by a proposal.

This uncomplimentary remark is a way out of a face-to-face combat, in an ineffective way to avoid hurt.
Has launched a couple of conflicts, too.

Making-up

Literally. That's what Bruce Jenner admitted doing "in the closet" after snitching them from ex-wife Kris. She was then suspecting their daughters as the culprits!

Reality tv could be mediation-on-air.

Hearts in Harmony

Katie and Gay Hendrick's tip is to admit one's part in the problem and then share in the solution

They could be mediators!

Taller

Treated bus lag by watching "Pete's Dragon."  Caught this line about trees and tales growing taller.

Mediators prune the latter.

Umoja

Not another digital term but a village founded by female survivors of rape and sexual violence. Men are not allowed and the women fend for themselves by making beads. Utopia?

Mediation does not go to that extent but surely tries to go-between parties in conflict.

Age does matter

An Indian marathon champion claims to be 119 years old. But others point out that without any solid proof and looking at his physical prowess, Mr. Singh is most likely only 78.

Mediation separates claim from the gain.

Efficiency vs. Dignity

In the Netflix "The Crown," Princess Elizabeth then was taught that the former is the realm of government, while the latter is the realm of the realm.

Mediation restores both.

Extensions

For another 1-year extension of martial law in Mindanao, all an opponent asked for was a 1- minute extension to question the motion.

Is it too much to ask? Try balancing that, as mediators often do.

Bitter Late

Terry Bradshaw, one of the golden boys in "Better Late than Never," took the challenge of going nude in a camp. His colleagues called it gutsy/ disgusting/ horror!

When these banter  and ego became heated up, conflict ensues.

Rid Off

Commissioner Ridon of the PCUP seemed to have committed wrongdoing or needed to be replaced by someone else, more so.

Motives surface in mediation likewise.

Pinata Controllers

Which voice would the pinata player listen to, in the cacophony?

With disputants, just each other with a mediator facilitating.

Madiba

Mandela was also called by that name.

Some disputants are just madiva.

Ownershit

No typo there. "Downtown Abbey'''s Lady Mary is now Letty in "Good Behavior." As always, she has choice lines. Recently, she admitted, "I mess myself up."

Hearing this from disputants boosts a mediator's hope for a compromise agreement.

Top 10

Not Hits but Hitters. History channel listed these dictators as Caligula, Nero, Cleopatra, Ramses II, Hannibal, Attila, Julius Caesar, Emperor Chin, Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan. They all did not end very well.

So with mediators who try to be one.

My Cat from Heaven

Perhaps it was desperate to be adopted, but a particular cat in a shelter didn't leave a photographer's lap until he brought her home.

Some disputants are like that- of goodwill and easy to deal with.

Special Talents

Everyone is given at least a talent each, and not only in the Bible. In CNN PH's Med Talk, Dr. Gomez follows an autistic graduate of Mechanical Engineering through his work day reconciling checks at an office. In addition, Dr. Alexis Reyes states that they are by nature punctual, patient with detail and don't engage in chitchat, among other virtues.

Disputants have up and downsides, too.

Conductor

CNN's The Art of Movement featured a conductor who stated that his right hand led the various musical instruments while the left, the emotions to be evoked.

So does the mediator lead the disputants.

Mediating Paternity

The Mamma Mia musical is really about her daughter's other parentage.

If only such conflicts could be solved by song and dance!

Mediating Metamorphosis

TLC featured the Kings, Angie and Joey now both female. Although Angie has transgendered, she retains an Adam's apple.

Sometimes in mediation too it cannot be helped that there remain things from the past, try as disputants do to get over them in the search for a compromise.

Quitting Cold Monkey

Saw this documentary on a zoo ape Tory who got into smoking from cigarette butts thrown into his cage, whichever came first. It came to a point that he had to be brought to a sanctuary all by himself to make him stop his unhealthy habit.

Mediation is less invasive and more voluntary.

Sa 2-2-0 Lang

After a fake conversation between the President and the Cardinal came out, had advised Caritas to initiate this Code number for any official statement.

Mediation could use it, too.

Mediating Misery

In a martial law reflection, Fr. Benjamin Alforque recalled the torture he went through, even at the hands of a fellow-Ateneo alumnus. Fr. Ben lost his faith till one time he was drawn to the Bible. Opening it, there was Christ's message for him: "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13) Later, Fr. Ben was able to give the Holy Eucharist to his torturers unconditionally.

Mediation has witnessed such forgiveness and transformation both sides.

They Too

It's about TIME's Person of the Year called The Silence Breakers. Since last October actually Chicago had already passed an ordinance for hotel panic buttons to be used by employees at risk especially when working alone in rooms.

Human Resources is a mediator between labor & management and client & staff, among others.

Parent Hood

Two words, they refer to a problem parent, like those who themselves pimp their young children for cybersex.

The DSWD intervenes on behalf of the poor victims.

Reinventing the Wheel

NASA did. To navigate the rough terrain of Mars, they devised meshed ones made of what look like pliant chains. (CNN's Take a Look at this)

Mediation is a form of reinvented justice.

Own a Fake

Just about everybody does, whether a material or behavioral matter. In a CNN PH interview, Joross Gamboa who stars in the movie Dead Ma Walking, remarked on a similar subject that you  either owe it to fake or fake to owe it.

Mediation sheds all fakery.

Breaks Up

Or more commonly called break- ups were tackled in a Big Bang Theory episode. Raj observed that " most of mine have lasted."

Mediation, on the other hand seeks the same for relationships.

Waiters

Not the service staff but the heirs. A client now administers her maternal grandparents's estate. Her problems do not come from the two surviving children but the motley group of grandchildren, nieces and nephews, legitimate or not.

The two surviving heirs have reminded the group of descendants that they are still alive.

Impasse

Could also read "I'M passe," when disputants lock horns on issue/s.

Two pictures can be shown to them:

1. Two donkeys ok asses tied to each other want to graze on opposite sides.

2. Together, they graze first on one side, then the other.

In mediation parlance, that is "increasing the pie." It's now "We pasture."

Mediating names

Today's Daily Bread reflection dealt with the meaning behind naming infants. One priest joked about twins being baptized Toyota and Honda, to which he asked if they preferred gas or diesel to be poured.

Another kind of name-calling is avoided in mediation.

St. Andrew's Role

Today, our cathedral parish of St. Andrew's celebrates his feastday. He was the apostle who introduced his brother Peter to Jesus. Likewise the boy with the loaves and fish.

With just about two speaking lines in the Gospel, to the end he characteristically refused to be crucified upright like Christ.

Mediators could follow his example of humble and minimal talking in quiet service to others.

Change of Hands

CNN PH's feature on Children in Conflict with the Law had this insightful quote. "Hands which committed crime now make paper roses" at Quezon City's Bahay Molave.

Mediation likewise changes attitude, behavior and life.

Digital Dementia

During last Sunday's TV Mass over CNN PH, the priest had this term for the current trend of gadgets ruling men.
At weddings, the bride and groom could say, "Like" instead of "I do." In like manner, the priest replies, "Don't forget to tag me."

Could digital mediation be far behind?

Directions

Jerry Seinfeld observed that today's kids use "up" with almost all verbs. With adults, the last word is "down."

Age could be the matter in mediation as in, "What do you know, at your age?"

Change of Hands

CNN PH's feature on Children in Conflict with the Law had this insightful line. "Hands which committed crime now make paper roses" at Quezon City's Bahay Molave.

Mediation likewise changes attitude, behavior and life.

I sue issue

Mediation involves ego as well as, if not more so than issue.

Mediators are bruised-ego massagers.

Alone from A-hole

What a difference a letter has! Adapted that from an FB article that stated "strong women prefer to be alone than be with an a-hole."

Or bring that person to mediation.

People are Puny

Especially in the Lower House. They really deserve their location. This was proven during yesterday's impeachment hearing on the Chief Justice. These puppets would even look to the camera when standing to vote as if anticipating their reward.

Disputants, on the other hand are precisely empowered to resolve their own conflict. Their very own crafted Compromise Agreement is to their credit.

Love without Borders

TexMex has a new meaning after a couple separated by the American version of the Berlin Wall got married when the gate opened.

Mediation is another wall-breaker.

Hanoi Hilton

Take it from American GIs to try and make light of adversity. You'd think they were glamping it up! In the end, most of them got out of it, give or take some trauma and deaths.

Disputants better approach mediation in the same light, optimistic vein.

Ram-page

Lots of them in Facebook, choking us almost to death!

The Compromise Agreement is not one to be rammed down the throats of disputants or each other. It is amicably drawn between them.

Pharma Sea

Serious pun featured by CNN's Vital Signs. They are now fishing for antibiotics in the Sea of Norway.

So is the Compromise Agreement up to the disputants.

Mediators' 2nd Home in Tagaytay

Home is where we hang our doubts.

Pointing Out

Family Ties' episode had daughter Mallory correcting her friend Skippy who said the Nile was in Paris thus, "It's in London."

Three fingers can point back at us when we point out.

First Korean War

While featuring witty repartee, MASH is actually about the Korean War. One medic is depicted sleep- walking and playing basketball to escape reality's nightmare.

If not mediated, the next Korean War could be the last for all of us.

Chiang Rai of Hope

CNN PH's Trippies showed Pepe Diokno in Thailand where they conserve trees by just gathering their bark, and only one side at a time, to make paper. Such regard for mother nature!

Mediation has too for human nature.

Blind Snider

Might as well as Snyder swims competively against all odds despite becoming blind in Afghanistan.

Mediation likewise enlightens disputants blinded by so many issues.

Such a Drone

Not only to take aerial photos, drones are now seeding hectares in a jiffy.

Mediation is like that in facilitating justice between disputants.

My Ex and Whys

This ABS- CBN production had an insightful line, "I am not my mistake."

But one can make-up for it in mediation.

MASH

This all-time favorite sitcom was ironically about an army surgical hospital in Korea. The doctors, nurses and staff were depicted coping with war. Their chaplain said it all with, "No matter how you bluff, you have to lay all your cards on the table eventually."

Sounds like mediation, too.

Water Runs Dear

It does, at the Quezon City jail. Spilling its pail can start a riot!

One resource we take for granted is another man's treasure.

Scientology Silence

Crime Investigation's feature on interviews with former Scientology members was a mouth-opener. Previously they practised omerta or silence.

In court cases, a one-sided hearing is called ex-parte. Mediation on the other hand deals with ex-parties.

Might is not Right

Not a modern motto but from God in Jeremiah 23:10.

Mediation is the equalizer.

Civil? War

German pioneer immigrant Marcus Spiegel led Ohio's  anti-slavery drive during the Civil War, better described as Criminal. War ends civility.

And mediation quells "civil wars."

Quakers and Shakers

HISTORY's episode on American immigrants could have been recommended viewing for Trump. The first settlers on the eastern seaboard led by Mr. Buckham instituted the handshake to symbolize equality.

So it is also between disputants as promoted by the mediator.

Healing Circles

This group daily sends consoling thoughts, like this one: Something beautiful is about to happen in your life. Believe and receive.

Could range from a windfall to a smile from a stranger. Or a Compromise Agreement between disputants 

Family Ties

Another insightful sitcom rediscovered, with this line "I like people like me." While natural, not very Christian.

Even mediation takes all kinds.

Cheers

Discovering HITS sitcoms, struck by this line from the bar at Cheers: I can't be trusted, trust me.

Good to be candid and sincere in mediation, too.

Telling Timothy

Paul wrote him: Have nothing to do with stupid, senseless controversy; you know that they breed quarrels.

Much like me-dia today. That's why we need media-tors.

Losing Focus

The American Statesman newspaper headlined "People who lost the most, focus on what wasn't lost."  That, after victims of a fire were shown so much generosity by everyone.

Could be a good motto in mediation.

Queen of Katwe

On the chess board, i.e. This Fox movie featured a true-to-life African queen of the game. A maize vendor, she was first psyched out by a Canadian woman. Eventually she won over an older black woman.

On the mediation table, disputants are on equal footing.

Another Concert Bites the Dust

Organizers better be wary when naming events. First it was Ariana's Dangerous in Manchester. Now it is Ed Sheeran's Divided and he broke his bone in a bike accident.

Similarly, Compromise Agreements have to be carefully worded.

Hollow Win

Speaking of the season, getting away with murder or a lesser crime is a hollow win. Sooner or later, you will have your comeuppance- in this life or somewhere up there, if you ever reach it.

Mediation tries to settle civil cases.

Wise Prudence

Bishop Baron defines prudence as "the feel for the moral situation" that is needed by justice to be acted upon.Wisdom, on the other hand, is "the sense of the big picture" that is needed by prudence to broaden its horizon.

All handy in mediation.

Empoy

Empoy the actor typifies the Pinoy everyman, as he says his face is a gift of God.

Face value however takes the backseat in mediation. Word of honor is better. 

Justice that heals

This is the advocacy of actress Cherry Pie Picache, whose mother's life was mercilessly snuffed out by their helper.

Mediators say amen!

GPS

An SVD missionary talked about his GPS - God Positioning System.

Should work in mediation, too.

Lost in Translation

"Ang Gabing Kasinghaba ng Buhok Ko" is "Those Long-Haired Nights." Pretty...

Mediation has no room for miscommunication, disinfo or that.

Cayatayo Ala

Cayetano's twisted logic in speeches and interviews is really foreign.

Would get a straightout if in mediation.

Fun Guevarra

Not a sibling of Che. Seen on the windshield of a funeral car one Sunday, this sign evoked both a comic and a spiritual reaction.

In mediation, though, not so funny to go on a war path.

Smart Change

For one, it has to be for the better, if not the best. And to review a team-building acronym:

Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Realistic
Timebound

Could apply to the terms of a Compromise Agreement, too.

The Stab

Such government posturings at destab sound more like their stabbing themselves in the foot or mouth. Everyday, Abella has something to keep him busy- explaining remarks off-the-cuff or
wall, more often.

Who needs to dirty his hands when the opponent is self- destructive? 

Grave Consequences

That is the warning we get with the transfer of the drug war from PNP to PDEA.

But haven't there been too many graves already as a consequence?

The Sanity of Silence

"Silence is one of the hardest things to refute," says Josh Billings. It is the surest way to stop a raging oppositor.

Better yet, the acceptable expression of one's offer to meet the other half-way.

Discussing Argument

Quillen has compared that discussion is to knowledge as argument is to ignorance or we add, partial knowledge.

Like the blind men each touching a part of an elephant are two or more drivers involved in a collision.

Car Fool

The DOTr needs emergency power of their minds activated. Instead of limiting vehicles by delimiting the registration of old ones and the buying of multiple cars, they now divert from adding number-coding days to car pool. Expect more yayas on the road to accompany the lone drivers on EDSA. Tints could get darker. If still this is not fool-proof, why not have a pillow, balloon and cap beside you, as suggested to female drivers at night!

These knee-jerks!

Mediating Medicine ll

In France, ADHD is a matter of good old disciplining of children. No medication, not like in the US where they say pharmaceutical companies rule the roost and roster of pediatricians.

True enough, we tried the French theory on a gifted, hyperactive boy in school and he now just asks where to put his hands. Sit on them? Lol Btw bright kids  exhibit ADHD behavior when failing to direct the quick working of the mind.

Godget

"The first 'cordless' phone was made by God. It was the model called prayer. It never lost a signal. Recharging is done by the Holy Spirit. It can be used anywhere, anytime." (Forget now from where this is lifted.)

Especially in mediation.

Mediating Medicine

In his book "World Without Cancer," Dr. Harold Manner claims cancer is a deficiency of Vitamin B17, much like scurvy's was of Vitamin C.

And the cure therefore is not chemo and other equally threatening modalities but just pits of fruits like apple, pear and peach; beans; nuts; grains and blueberry.

Now that is more palatable, affordable and mild- Manner-ed.

Makes Cents

Caught this entertaining AMC movie with a lesson. Teri Garr starred as the former wife of a doctor. They are both kidnapped, plane crashed, got into drug dealers, imprisoned, bolted out, shipwrecked, and reunited on a street collision in Mexico City. In the end, they remarry.

A lot of mediating circumstances could yet bring back persons in conflict.

Steps to Wellness

According to the Zen Institute, these are:
1. Diagnose
2. Cleanse/detox
3. Intervene
4. Rejuvenate
5. Educate/maintain

Like mediation's handling of relationships between both parties to:
1. Trace the issue
2. Unload hurt acceptably
3. Negotiate
4. Renew relationship
5. Learn to handle future conflict

First Retort

This usually starts the road to mediation, the last resort hopefully. (Lacking a topic for today, Our Daily Bread had a very apt and timely issue.)

Christ' reaction or lack of it to the taunts of the Jews those fateful faithless days is the example present players versus this oddministration have to extol. 

Matching

Some prisoners and pit bulls are being paired in the hope of their mutual benefit. The dog is provided a parttime  companion while his human caretaker becomes more humane.

That's like a win-win in Compromise Agreements.

Red Panter

DU30's allegations are getting to sound like scenes from Pink Panther. Outrageous!

At least it sounded well with the French model. But not here with all the cussing and name-calling. No-nos in mediation.

Look Who's Talking ll

Or calling the kettle black? The lynch mob is at it again in Batasan. Rep. Bag-ao had a good point when she noted that the luxury vehicle of the Chief Justice is likewise all over the Lowest House parking lot.

The "come to court with clean hands" does not apply in mediation. Both parties could have soiled pairs.

Look Who's Talking

A lot of fakes appeared at the Senate hearing on fake news.
PCCO Usec Eg(o)co read a statement that they would do well to implement even on themselves. Asec Mocha Us(e)on was spotted also. Thinking Pinoy, one of the groups blacklisted by the Church, was represented too.

Not really optimistic about this exercise in aid of soothing the frayed nerves of the left-out Seven Senators.

DU-minions

His wealth is something Duterte does not leave to chance spokespersons. You know he is affected when he personally takes charge. Read his lips or SALN.

Too bad he is beyond mediation or medication? No goodwill, just bad wind.

Uncanny Mekeni

After Pinatubo, the Garcia patriarch of Porac wrote to all his children abroad to come home and help their hometown. He reasoned out that they were able to study from the iced candy, eggs and chicken/pork products their kababayans bought.
The children came home, attended to the needs of the community and led the family business to greater heights. (As featured in a CNN PH Boardroom episode)

Like the give-and-take of mediation.

Giving a Life

Churchill had said, "We make a living by what we get but we make a life by what we give."

Especially in mediation's Compromise Agreement.

Enforcing on Enforcers

It takes an objective observer like James Deakin of Service Road on CNN PH to point out that our traffic enforcers are themselves delaying the flow of vehicles (and endangering their lives) by standing in the middle of the road just to continuously wave to drivers to speed up. Meantime, the lane where they are standing is blocked and contributes to traffic!

And we are supposed to have common sense?

Family Feud

Mediated one yesterday. Two sisters and their mother squabbled over the behavior of one sister's American husband and their 5-year old son.

Cultural differences affect their manner of discipline, aside from basic individual and family background.

Commission errs

With the recent move for government offices to display portraits of national heroes, my "take":
1. Entails additional expense and kickback possibilities.
2. Similar to a cop asking the name of the lawyer (hero on the peso bill) of a violator.

First, we have to change the name of an office from tanggapan to plain opisina.
Then by all means hang the already martyred heroes.

Hazy Victims

Yet another bright future of a young man was snuffed by his supposed brothers. It brings to mind Joseph in the Old Testament, though this had a happier ending.

They say hazing is premised on getting even with the neophytes by subjecting them to what their seniors underwent. This violent cycle has to stop, perhaps by calling on the last butchered batch to become truer, bigger, and better men.

Rebels With a Cost

Seemingly heeding the Les Miserables marching song in Pilipino, our rebels in government are up in arms again, against each other at this time. Lacson vs. Faeldon vs. Trillanes.

Let's hear what they have to say, grateful that they are not carrying arms now.

Supreme Injustice

Not excusing the Chief Justice, but her P5M bullet-proof vehicle and villa in Boracay are a far cry from the real violations of the Constitution done by FM Sr. with a $10B loot to boot.

Piss off the President and get pissed on. We're back to the cave!

Horrorscope

In the 9-21 issue of Lourd de Veyra's Hayag newspaper is this advice: "Hindi hawak ng mga politiko ang ating kapalaran, gabay lamang sila. Mayroon tayong rights at freedoms, gamitin natin ito nang tama."



Same goes to disputants in relation to their mediator.

Cementing Fiendship

A favorite reality show case study, the Kardashians are more than glitz and glam. At times, there are guns. One particular episode has Bruce (still) getting a gun for their home. Of course, Kris got frantic and had to take a shooting lesson so that Bruce would tell her where it was hidden. After which, she promptly cemented it in a bin. Just then, Bruce came home with another one for her own use!

O Henry in reverse. Soon, the couple would be divorced for several reasons.

Mediating U-mali

Don't mess with the human rights of the Commission on Human Rights. In the end, public outrage and support led to the restoration of its budget originally slashed by Congress.

Chuck and Nancy

Misery sure loves company. Over at Mother America, the folksy DT refers to two of their political figures thus.

Looks more like Chuckin' Nancy Pelosi.

Conflict over Conflict

Protesters with itchy feet are in a quandary where to vent their ire on 9-21. The main event is the 2 pm Holy Mass to be officiated by Caloocan Bishop Pablo David at San Agustin Church, then they march to Luneta for the 4pm rally culminating in the 8pm ringing of everyone's bell.

There will be another Mass at the UP Chapel and could a march to Bantayog not be far behind? At nearby ELJ Building's Zendo, meditation shall start at 5pm. That's just what is known and only in Metro Manila.

Let the opposition begin. Hopefully our beleaguered president meets it halfway and not with a nationwide Martial Law declaration he is also itching for.

Beating the Red Light

Congressmen are truly living up to their being legislators of the Lower House.  After taking the side of convicted drug lords who then exacted special treatment, they now want the latter for themselves, too. And over traffic violations!

Constituents better beat the light out of these representatives.

Mediating Martial Law

As we remember another catastrophe, 9-21, rallyists are forewarned to behave or less suffer a repeat of what they are precisely protesting about.

"No way, "(as Polong Duterte would say) to treat an opposing party. What has become of his father's first presidential invitation for activists to sit with him in the Palace?

The War at Home

Finally got the title of this old movie starring real father and son Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez in a stormy relationship. Son goes to Vietnam and sees his dad in the faces of people he killed.
Returning home to his unforgiving father, son leaves again.

Wherever the conflict is, meeting the other party in a com-promise ends it.

Mediating Cults

Usually shy away from Crime Investigation, but was hooked by the mention of Black Jesus.  It turned out to be a cult in Papua New Guinea.  Actually, it was a front of a pedophile preying on young girls. He was caught and imprisoned from where he managed to escape and get back to his evil intent.  This time, fathers and uncles of his victims sent him to the next life in 2013.  But last year, the cult seems to have been resurrected by another such man...

Seems like another back-to-court case.  

Mediating Faults

"How I Met Your Mother" episode dealt with the faults of these New York yuppies.  One girl friend was decidedly too talkative.  They suggested she get a parrot.

Instead, she introduced them to her deaf boyfriend!  Like disputants, she knew her way out of conflict. 

Catch Me If You Can

Again saw a young Leonardo di Caprio as Frank Abagnale Jr., con man like his father who made him wear a rented suit and act as his chauffeur while trying to get a loan for his business. Didn't bag/ nail it, but Junior went to greater heights of heists to get back their lost glory.

It took the insightful FBI character played by Tom Hanks to turn Junior's counterfeiting talent to good use working with the law instead.  Mediating maximum misdemeanors.     

Fall Don

Faeldon seems to be so in the Bureau of Customs.  He was caught with the empty bag, so to speak.

Going on a dental emergency was his choice of escape.  Then a vow of omerta.  He has just spoken louder about the Davao Mafia.  

Proverbial Words

"When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is prudent." Proverbs 10:19

(Internet server provided such restraint by being off for about a week.)  In mediation,this is practiced by not dwelling on the past ill will, but focusing on future amends.  Hence, a strict ban on shouting, cussing and the like.  Then, a clear, definite, and thorough Compromise Agreement can be crafted.    

History

In the run-up to PH's own 9-11 catastrophe in Ilocos Norte, Hitler has been featured coincidentally as sourcing his swastika sign from a Benedictine abbey. Mao got rid of journalists who were hounded and killed in Hongkong and USA. Putin now is said to prefer the poison dioxin as his coup de grace.

Movement against tyranny is making sure PH doesn't suffer the same fate again.

Gross

Tinder is said to be the highest grossing app in cyberworld. Relationship is then the top need of netizens.

Hopefully, a Kinder app would beat that, without the grousing.

Mediating Hunger

In her G Diaries show, Gina Lopez offers a simple solution. Protect endangered birds from being shot and eaten or sold, by providing another means of livelihood for the hungry.

That's win-win for both parties.

Sharing

CNN's  Business Traveller observes that people now share clothes and cars. Air BNB started with 3 air mattresses in San Francisco. And "Eat with" has a chef inviting transients to her home for a healthy meal.
Oculus shows British Columbia on air to incoming arrivals.

As disputants share their skills in negotiation toward their Compromise Agreement.

Unreal Estate

TLC features these over-the-top mansions Down Under. In one, the caretaker takes an hour and a half to switch on/off all the light fixtures!

Over here, this term refers to informal settling. 

Mexican aMor

Despite the wall being built between the US and them, the Mexicans came to the aid of Americans in distress.

That is like the biblical pouring of burning coal on the head of the enemy.

Look What You Made Me Do

Dubious do. Sounds like a sandbox squabble when Taylor Swift says that. Or when DU30 blames citizens for his declaration of Marcosian Law.

Mediation empowers disputants to be responsible for their own Compromise Agreement.

Mediating Murder

HISTORY traced presidential assassinations in the US. It had to take the killing of Lincoln, Harding and McKinley before the Secret Service was formed.

This service must be more jittery nowadays.

Prevention

"Free your heart from hate. Free your mind from worry. Live simply. Give more. Expect less."

Good advice always.

Chasing Chopin

Hugh Grant's out-of-usual-character role is refreshing as the frail composer who was thus turned down by his beloved's family for being a bad risk. Big mistake! To his rescue is Madam George Sand, a feisty writer in deed, aside from the lusting wife of Franz Liszt!!!

Mediating music.

Homework

Not only children but their parents now have it too and are being paid for it. Work from home is really much like homeschool.

And ironically, they found out that working out of the office made them stay on their job longer. They felt more empowered, aside from other benefits as more family time and less gas/ time spent on the road.

Working mediation.

Mediating Stardom

Another Desiderata moment. "Umagang Kay Ganda" had for a guest Ogie Diaz, effeminate showbiz reporter turned actor now manager. He got into acting after waiting for interviewees on the set. Then turned into managing them for the big bucks.

He was so open about dreading the snide remarks when he brings his children to school. And admirable when he stated that he has to manage his life first to be credible.

How about mediators' peaceful life?

Robomonk

Now comes a Japanese Buddhist monk robot for funeral services mostly.
Cheaper and available.

With Rorschach already computerized too, could mediation modalities be far away?

Mga Asawa ni Rosario

Not about polygamy, rather a schizophrenic husband. Like another movie where the therapist would ask him, "Whom am i talking to?"

Some marriages practice such in a more "normal" manner.

The Little Prints

Quotes from that lovable book "The Little Prince" were listed online. This one is less famous but more relevant personally: "Words are the source of misunderstandings."

A good time as any to look up the house insurance policy on earthquakes and would you believe, aircraft falling from the sky?

Chickenness

The bird flu over the nest led to the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of our fine-feathered friends. But no worries, humans are not really affected and at any risk, thoroughly cooking the fowl would make it safe. Begs the question What was all the killing about? Of the animals i.e.

Mediation leaves no room for doubt regarding details of the compromise agreement.

Walang Malang

CNN PH featured this National Artist's person. He was a happy one who laughed off criticism of his paintings as just cartoons. He accepted they were, coming from his newspaper stint. More than that, he was a kind and generous man who paid for his driver's hospitalization to keep the latter's eyesight. Of course, he was taken care of by this in-house staff when he succumbed to Alzheimer's. Fair enough to see him till the end.

He did not need any mediation as he refused to get involved in conflict. Humor and humanity help.

Kalokohan City

Yesterday's hearing at the Senate on Kian was straight out of Believe It or Not but more so   World's Funniest Videos. Liars had tongues on fire and were hard put to add yet another FiB for cover. Watching impromptu script-writing at its best, I felt sorry for Kian that I was truly amused by the tragicomedy show of his killers.

Mediation would not be that forgiving of being taken for a ride.

Mediating Millennials

Queena Lee-Chua's column in the Inquirer deals with them at the workplace. She wrote of Stanford University's psychologist Carol Dweck and her "idea of growth versus fixed mind-set in schools. Students with a growth mindset are not so worried about failing, and so they take on more challenges, persist longer and are more resilient in the face of setbacks. Those with a fixed mindset tend to see challenges as risky and effort and setbacks as signs of limited talent."

Empowerment is the key word for growth that values innovation and creativity. Mediation is in total agreement.

The Dilemma

A line from this CT feature about when to tell a friend the painful truth: You're not fixing it but breaking more things.

Watch out, mediators. If you cannot do good, or related/acquainted with disputant/s, better refer them to another colleague or in the case of intransigence/irreconcilability, back to court

No Excuses

That is the motto of Seahawks' Derrick Coleman, Jr. Deaf, he learned to lipread his teammates' coded messages on the field.

Seattle's best self-mediated this ability. 

Grab the Opportunist

They might call it altruistically taking care of the Uber supply of riders and drivers, but the spiking of their rates is not.

Taking advantage of the situation is mediation no-no.

Mediating Travel

CNN's Business Traveller is a good vicarious rest day treat. The latest trends include jet-sharing and a solar-powered, one-seater jet with a long wing span looking like Icarus 2.

Mediation is justice's version of innovation.

Judge

Conflicts may arise from differences in points of view. Even St. Paul wrote in Romans 14: "As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him
but not for disputes over opinions...Who are you to pass judgment..."

Could lessen a number of cases in mediation.

Miss Isle

For now, Guam residents can hold their guard down- till the next threat comes up.

That comes from lack of effective mediation- suspended animation.

Shaira Luna

The very one gifted child of the Promil ad. While studying toward Medicine, she got into music and finally photography.

Just like the meandering ways of mediation, it is up to disputants to go to their mutual and happy place.

Incredible

The Hulk in the White House is appalled at "hatred, bigotry and violence." Well, he has been espousing them all this time!

Not to be trusted in mediation.

Snoopy

Now this is really about the beagle, who was described in their movie as "a dog doesn't give advice nor judge."

Sounds like a mediator, too so unlike Lucy's 5c
counseling booth.

Al Franken

Introduced in a talk show, he is a US comic turned senator

Here we have senators turned (back) to comics.

Franken-steins.

Sum people

No typo- just 2 kinds of people, they say:

"Some people bring happiness wherever they go. Some...whenever they go."

Disputants who have crafted their compromise agreement belong to the second group.

In Memorial

Rizal Sports Complex, specifically now under siege. Will it suffer the same fate as the Jai Alai, old Meralco, Paco train station, turn-of-the-century wooden schoolhouses and other such heritage buildings.

Big money or big memory?

Mediating Prosperity

In his book "Life Principles," Injap (Intsik father and Japanese mother) Sia recounted studying the mechanics of how to win a Honda Civic in a Nestle contest 2002. In order to "submit the most number of replies via mobile text messages to survey questions... he enlisted the help of Ernie, a college classmate who agreed to help him win the contest in exchange for a P200/day ...and a bonus of an upscale Nokia phone then worth around P10, 000, if they win the top prize. Injap gave Ernie a simple cellphone which the latter would use to text messages, but especially at night and all the way until daybreak" when most texters were asleep. (From the Inquirer)

Mediation too is a group effort toward a win-win resolution.

Comelec and count

As if her husband is not used to counting, the Comelec chair's wife is now auditing his bank accounts, passbooks and all.

Their mediator of choice, Duterte could tell them how he wards off financial claims from both his ex-wife and current partner.

To Dep or not to Dep

Hospital deposit is again in the news. Private hospitals see the possibility of their closure as the government is often remiss in reimbursing Philhealth benefits to them.

Lawmakers can just ensure the full facility and serviceability of free government hospitals all over the country instead, as they should.

Finishing Off

CCP Chair Joma Sison says that is something Duterte cannot do to them.

Talking things out is still the best way out of conflict, not brash threats. These just make disputants dig in all the more.

Mercy and Comfort

Sound like a Papal Encyclical, but really the names of two USN ships serving as floating hospitals. These former oil tankers are now part of American international medical diplomacy, commented CNN Vital Signs' feature.

Mediation sets compensation for damage done aside from giving the other what is due in the first time. Over and above that, it hopes people become more humane afterward.

Mediating Problems

Usually attend Saturday's anticipated Holy Mass after errands like meetings and dental appointments. However, still watch the TV Sunday Mass to bless our home, too.

Today, the homily centered on God's Presence as in the Transfiguration. The priest recounted the light outside his room going on again when he was about to sleep. He reasoned out that some beings might be having a party but did not invite him so he just called on the Lord to keep him company instead.

"Crisis, I've a bigger God" should be the mantra of mediators.

Mediating Malling

Now come "man pods" for male companions of women shoppers. They're Shanghai-ed in private cubicle-video heaven.

Mediating all.

NO/SOKOR

Four oldies (Terry Bradshaw, George Foreman, William Shatner and Henry Winkler) and a son go on adventures in "Better Late than Never," like their faked DMZ experience in South Korea c/o the son.  They will try anything like eating chopped live octopus, for which they were rewarded by outdoor dining dropped off by a drone.

Mediation is also something to be tried for its own reward/s. Happening now is North Korea's confirmed attendance at the ASEAN meet.

When due

Christopher Parker said, "A credit card is a lot of fun until you get the bill."

How like irresponsibility.

Insult

Being teased mercilessly could make one sensitive- and to others similarly situated. One such is Mark Anthony Yamada, once an average student who became an SK chair, then a dishwasher turned teacher in Japan. He draws inspiration from Einstein who said, "A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new."

Output.

Peace, Love, Misunderstanding

Refreshing movie seems to have Jane Fonda as herself, in Woodstock location, no less. Lawyer-daughter and children visit for a divorce- vacation. A line from a local admirer hits the uptight daughter thus: "Sometimes our life's balloon is held down by a sandbag."

Mediation loosens the string attached to it.

House on Fire

The White one certainly is. Specifically, its men up in arms and tongue against each other.

The Chief is no mediator either, more like the Instigator.

Adult Life Skills

This CinemaWorld feature suggested that adults, like Scouts gather badges too for accomplishing feats.

Could come in handy during  mediation.

The Path to Purpose

In this book, William Damon describes different people  as "the disengaged who has no purpose at all; the dreamer who has a sense of purpose but never acts on it; the dabbler who seems to have purpose, acts on it, but never sticks to one; and the purposeful who discovers purpose, acts on it over a period of time and thus allows the development of commitment and dedication."

The last, a mediator's dream disputant.

Fear Factor

Wasn't exactly a fan of this show before. Gone now? no wonder. Dangerous Drugs Board Chair Dionisio Santiago says, "Fear factor is good only to a certain point. Oplan Tokhang was effective because it sowed fear among drug users, but it should be supported by other programs.

Caritas Manila's Sanlakbay Gabay program has physical/medical, emotional, social/sports, livelihood and paralegal aspects.

Violent Results

"Words we choose can have" such effect, according to the only dissenting voice in the Supreme Court's review on martial law, Associate Justice Marvic Leonen.

Wise words in mediation.

Wading in Justice

Duterte demands the return of the Balingaga bells.

Easier to deal with a friendly force on a doable item than with an unfriendly one on a sea of issues.

Grave Robber

Not a ghoul but God really, Who stole the death of Christ.

For us mortals, it's just grave thief of life.

Minsan isang gamu-gamo

Watching CNNPH"s "Peskador" on Pinoy fishermen on the Western PH Sea, recalled social anthropologist Melba Maggay's Commentary on "the story line of a film in the recent past,
of a firefly that challenged a hawk."

We await what Duterte will say today on the year-old ruling of the Hague's Permanent Court
of Arbitration awarding that Sea to PH. Let us see.  

From Experience

An Indian Think Tank based in New Delhi is warning the Philippines against non-viable loans from China. Ironic, since the bombays on motorcycles roam Manila streets collecting daily interest from vendors.  At least now, they are concerned that PH's sovereignty may suffer the same fate as  Laos and Sri Lanka, after huge disastrous lending from China went south.

Like in mediation, it is best not to typecast the outcaste.

   

No Complaining

This translated reminder from author/psychologist Salvo Noe hangs on Pope Francis' door:

"Violators are under the influence of I'm a victim syndrome with a resulting decrease in sense of humor and in the capacity to solve problems.

 Punishment will be doubled if the violation is committed in the presence of children.

In order to become the best "You," you must concentrate on your potential and not on your own limitations.

Therefore: Stop complaining and get on making your life better."

A Papal message to disputants.

The Vow

Hooked on this movie after seeing the Chicago River boat. A Lake Forest college girl asked her mother why she didn't leave her father after he had an affair with her classmate. The mother's reply: I stayed for all the things he's done right; I didn't leave for the one wrong he did.

Good message for disputing couples.

From the Ashes

NAT GEO's feature on coal-mining in the US was disheartening for them but consoling for us in the Third World experiencing the same thing. Aside from Presidents seemingly oblivious to this threat.

Like noise, air and water pollution are boundless.

Haggling

Martial law in Mindanao to be in effect till the end of the year. Hopefully 2017. What a relief not for 5 years as the Speaker psych-broadcasted, and not to include Visayas and Luzon!

Compromise comes with a promise they must fulfill!

Real Justice

Conchita Razon's "My Chair Rocks," shared the US Chief Justice John Roberts Jr.'s "most unconventional speech at his son's middle school graduation.":

"From time to time in the years to come, I hope you will be treated unfairly, so that you will come to know the value of justice.

I hope that you will suffer betrayal because that will teach you the importance of loyalty.

Sorry to say, but I hope you will be lonely from time to time so that you don't take friends for granted.

I wish you bad luck, again, from time to time, so that you will be conscious of the role of chance in life and understand that your success is not completely deserved and that the failure of others is not completely deserved either.

And when you lose, as you will from time to time, I hope every now and then, your opponent will gloat over your failure., a way for you to understand the importance of sportsmanship.

I hope you will be ignored so you know the importance of listening to others, and I hope you will have just enough pain to learn compassion."

Amen!

Pa-loose talk na naman

Again, it is said Supt. Marcos and cohorts "were not really reinstated but only reverted to duty." Nitpicking time once more. Another case is the reason given to prolong martial law is that there are still 60 rebels to capture. How did they know the number if not the names, which would have led to their end.

Catch fishy characters by the mouth.

French Twist

It is always in fashion in their films. A recent one had an assassin ending up saving a suicidal hotel guest and a woman giving birth.

Mediation also turns antagonists into protagonists.

Mediating Migrants

"Welcome to Norway" was a CinemaWorld feature on what they call "darkies" or migrants. A family decided to offer their Noro Hotell to the government. Fifty persons came in to chaos. One of them devised a twin rooming arrangement for Shiite/Sunni Muslims, Coptic/Roman Catholics, etc. complete with a buffer zone group!

Ingenuous self-mediation.

Gammy Mediation

Like "Pretty Woman" and "Three Weddings and a Funeral," "The Proposal" one can watch again and again. Here, a grandmother had to feign a heart attack to get her son and her grandson to agree on family matters.

Otherwise, there is mediation.

Mystic Magic

It says, "Listen to the wind, it talks.
               Listen to the silence, it speaks.
               Listen to your heart, it knows."

Mediation has these 3 sometimes.

Ba2

PNP Chief seems to have a forked tongue. Talking before the SAF men assigned in Bilibid accused of not stopping the illegal trade there, he blamed the syndicate for spreading the rumor. Then, he stated they are not to point fingers at anyone and just do their duty.

Beware of fast talk in mediation.

Taxing again

Like the SSS additional senior pension passed to current members, the new tax package  zeroing in on fuel will require cash incentives for drivers of public utility vehicles too aside from the families of the disadvantaged.

Aside from encouraging dependence, this is roundabout instead of direct intervention.

Matsushita Mediation

Looking for an earlier late night news, chanced upon ABC5's "Tulong Ko, Pasa Mo." The episode featured the story of Panasonic. After starting small on an inventive product, a bicycle lamp, Mr. Matsushita encountered a slump in business. He  refused to retrench or decrease employee pay, having considered his endeavor a sacred task after visiting a temple. Soliciting employee loyalty, he was able to convince them to sell their pending inventory as part of their job.

Playful Bunny

In this world, seniors are getting discounted respect, too. One of them had some relief, however after former bunny turned voyeur Dani Mathers "snapped  a photo of a naked 71-year old in a gym locker room," according to  AP.  Ms. Mather's was ordered "to spend 30 days cleaning up graffiti on Los Angeles streets as punishment."

Some Mathers most.

Personalan sa Trabaho

DU30's logo on shirt, Freddie Aguilar's song announcing his entrance, Bato mascot, now Danny Lim of MMDA follows suit. He castigates the bus driver and conductor for harming "his" men. He is then their enemy.

Things have been becoming up close and personal with this administration of parochial mentality.

Mediation from Above

From Facebook: God will never leave you empty. He will replace everything you lost. If He asks you to put something down, it's because He wants you to pick up something greater.

Believe me, this works!

Friends

WOMEN WORKING says:

Good friends care for each other.
Close friends understand each other.
True friends stay forever, beyond words, distances, and time.

With friends like these, who needs mediation?

Literal

That is how a Beauty and Health Shop took its location across the 6th Station of the Cross in the Holy Land, according to Inquirer's Lito Zulueta.  It marks the place where Veronica wiped the bloodied Face of Jesus Christ on the way to Calvary.

No mediating commercial license.

CHRiminal

That is how CHR Chair Gascon says the Commission of Human Rights is referred to.

Mediation is just as "guilty," in its protection of the rights of all.

Company

The kind we keep reveals us to the world around us. Indonesian President Joko Widodo has been announcing that he will "clobber"  any group out to destroy their traditional of pluralism and moderate Islam, reports Reuter. Not too moderate in speaking, just like his friend and co-former mayor Duterte.

A mediator has to deal with disputants on their individual capacity, though.

Unholy Trinity

More than a love triangle, it is true in "Me, Myself and I," according to Catholic Exchange's Marcellino D'Ambrosio. He noted that it was heralded by the publication of "Self" magazine decades ago.

This is the usual reason for mediation.

A Phobia

That's for Animal. Animal Planet featured fear of spiders, roaches and even butterflies! A psychologist gave the three subjects a gradual introduction of plastic versions, posters in their room, taking care and finally relaxed contact with them.

Mediation also sees the various stages of social interaction after a conflict.

Devotion

A Jesuit priest in the Catholic Express gave another view on devotion. It is not so much ours as it is the Lord's for us.

Mediation sees the total picture, too- both sides and the fair side.

Selfie Spots

CNN PH Trippies' hosts Jessica Zafra and Pepe Diokno had this tip re tourism from South Korea. Nothing is left to chance. There is an organized effort. Example is a viewdeck with  arrows including one pointing to the South Pole! Beside it is a sign indicating WiFi.

Mediation is likewise concerted.

Take That

Watching the Kardashians is like practicing the Desiderata. One episode had Khloe making their only brother Robert experience menstrual pain from a simulation machine.

Abusive husbands, beware!

Warmbier

He was the American student caught and tortured in North Korea, and returned to US almost cold.

This was serious mediation gone wrong. A Tom Hanks starrer depicted a successful one involving another American student in East Germany during the Cold War.

Esther

She became the second queen of King Ahasuerus in the Bible's Old Testament.  What happened to the first? Queen Vashti who "refused to come at the king's command," and appear before his guests, thus also setting a bad example, was dethroned.

Even then, social pressure had a lot to do with break-ups.

    

Moves

The military telegraphed its ban on bombing mosques in Marawi.  Won't they became places of refuge for the Mautes?

Mediation is not warfare. Each side precisely reveals its plan to the other. Only way for it to succeed.

Jeff Wise

Not a fairy tale character but a real Science Journalist of HISTORY. In one feature of Engineering Disasters, he broached the idea that trains run without human hands. Divine would be best but Mr.Wise suggested the alternative, something like an auto-engineer.

But even those have to be programmed by human minds. Mediation is like that. Instead of the usual route of litigation, conflict resolution can pass the creative path of compromise.

Kind

In the cable movie Swallows and Amazons, a child described an elder as very kind. Yeah, someone retorted, the wrong kind.

Compromise agreements have to be likewise clear and not subject to misinterpretation.

ADD WIFI

DOTR taketh away internet usage on EDSA while DICT giveth it in MRT stations to stave off a revolution of the commuters.

What gives? Is there an invisible boundary between the road and the station? It's like two disputants canceling each other's gain.

In-dependence, non-celebration

It was meaningful that DU30 did just that last June12 as for once, he was true. Leaning on China and Russia, while spurning EU and US aid, then taking a U-turn on the latter, capped by US providing technical aid in Marawi. No wonder, he was tired and ashamed!

Mediation is the empowering route for disputants.

Budget

CNN's Richard Quest's apt search for such airlines came up with Southwest that practices self-tagging of luggage.

Mediation is the self-service in the judicial system.

Maute or Martial Law

DU30 gives Filipinos the choice.

In any case, there is always the third and right choice.

Ex-perience

The DOT ad to Experience PH was canned, after the McCann product seemed to have been made in South Africa.

In mediation, after the bad experience comes the good.

Spicer

Is he still the US President's Spokesperson? He surely was lacking taste and hearing!

That is why mediators do not speak for the disputants but gives them the voice in modulation.

No Chicken

This irate diner customer of such a sandwich surely was.

If only victims of delayed justice, decisions and hearings exhibited a little of such impatience.

Hanging Hang-ups

Aside from "Purpose Driven Life," Rick Warren wrote "Celebrate Recovery."  There, he traces addiction from hurts, hang-ups to habits.

Sometimes, mediation follows the same pattern, hopefully leading to good habits instead.   

Brillante

He directed the first SONA of Duterte. Is he still at it, creating the plots that have been thickening each day? One storyline involved the attack on business. First targets were the media companies ABS-CBN and Inquirer. Then, there was a mall scare that was spread. Next, the supposedly free tickets from PAL, capped by the lifting of Resorts World's license.

Trace their owners. Brilliant!

Just Now

Accompanying his mom on her delayed entrance to the White House,Trump son's T-shirt read "The Espert." Could it have been a gift from his dad?

 Trump could be impeached on Twitter.

Dead deadlines

Duterte's self-imposed deadlines were effective in winning votes.  Not so in actual implementation.

Mediation does not rush through the issues, but rather thought of.  At least, there is the position of no postponements as in litigation. A better judicial world, really in deed!

Cannine for Kids

Not just for house pet but also hospital therapist and even cancer detector!  CNN featured Casper in Alabama making the rounds among confined children to cheer them up. Another specialist dog can sniff which among urine samples has the volatile cancer chemical scent.

Doggone humane traits surely must rub off on humans.

Big Brother China

Do you realize it also contains the name Cain? To our Able fishermen!

Hopefully, the angel of death won't be far behind.

Dangerous

Name the concert as such and it becomes so. Like a hyperactive boy called RAF RAF.

Don't we sometimes bring conflict upon ourselves?

Scareborough Shoal

China has allowed us to fish but did not promise to allow the fishermen to bring home their catch!

That's what happens when our President is so fond of bowing like a grade school speaker. He gets the shorter end of the fish.

ANT

Advanced Notice of Terrorism, also like those insects who sniff each other for information while going about their way. According to one female Marawi evacuee, they were being told to leave at least two days prior to the attack. Perhaps after the Dasia (Davao security) van owned by a recent sports consultant appointee, started rolling on its road trip to terror. Coincidentally, our jury group c/o our DILG member  was asked to sponsor a dinner meeting with some 15 Lanao Duterte- uniformed citizens in Manila mid-May (thank Allah,  only in Mcdo) before their tour of Malacanan, Pampanga with Arroyo and SBMA with Dino. And some of them are still around here.

We rest our case.

Mautak

Our Armed Forces failed its intelligence test.

Defeated by Mautek instead, despite billions of budget. Today, maraming pera in Marawi. Hmmmmmm 

Were they thinking?

More apt question to raise vs. the ADD Act or misdeed? More than rosaries, billboards screaming for attention of drivers along Edsa should have been addressed, netizens observed.

To LTFRB credit, they admitted shortsightedness. Mediation avoids those hiccups and knee jerk reactions.

Keeping up with Technology

The drug trade is not left behind. They do e-business now. Contract delivery service as you and me. Use online casino chips! Was the Resorts World gunman their foot soldier?

Mediation is similarly the justice system's creative innovation.

Heydarian

He's a university professor and GMA News TV resident commentator. After the ASEAN gathering, he spoke of the third option on the South China Sea.  Like Vietnam and Japan, we can dialogue with opponents while still Holding Our Ground.

That's win-win, taking into consideration non-negotiables, the least we would give up.

Beast Mode

That was Baron Geisler before. Now on peace mode, hopefully for good! He was featured in CNN's Real Talk.

Disputants likewise trust each other's goodwill in following through their Compromise Agreement.

Taxing

This season is, and not only peace-wise. Duterte whammy has also inflicted the scourge of additional taxes while depriving these same sufferers of EU aid.

What gives? Or doesn't!

I Scream

The flavor of the month has lost our favor. Ingredients are not original nor organic, but mostly rehashed, copied and even stolen!

Oh for the good ole days of real serving of journalism.

Going Ballistic

North Korea sure is! And Little Lord Flaunturtoy is enjoying every launch.

The madman in the White House calls him the same name. Heaven help us!

Pain

Some people are a pain. CNN however featured "The Boy Who Wants His Leg Cut Off." A tumor in one leg made it grow larger than the other. Aside from the physical pain, Dylan suffered emotionally, as when he was shunned at the swimming pool.

Doctors in UK and the US differed in diagnosis. In the end, Dylan decided.

Dates

Could have been a tabloid headline- 50 of them given to PH from KSA. Except that they were tons of the fruit for the Muslims in Mindanao.

Makes you want to convert!

Freeing Martillano gang member

Yet another convict is fancied by the DOJ for what we dread is another charge against De Lima. Gimme five!

By their company, they shall be judged. Or by their allegations as scripted.

Choosy Beggar

And ungrateful leper, too. DU30 shows off his narcissistic fangs once again in rejecting EU grants without interests.

Thank God, EU shows sincerity by going directly to the Filipinos whom they would help directly. That's self-mediation.

Fake Noose

This one we wish were real and around the necks of fakers. Roger Stone established his "Rules for War, Politics, Food, Fashion, and Living"!

1. "The past is a f-----g prologue.
2. It is better to be infamous than to never be famous at all.
3. The only thing worse in politics than being wrong is being boring.
4. One man's dirty tricks is another man's civil political action.
5. Hate is a more powerful motivator than love.
6. To win, you must do everything.
7. Attack, attack, attack. Never defend.
8. Admit nothing, deny everything, launch counterattack.
9. A man isn't finished when he's defeated, he's finished when he quits.
10. Nothing is on the level."

With a heart of Stone, he could be a disputant from hell!
  

Calamity

They classify it greater than disaster. Perhaps they can tell us how they rate the Marawi siege and the declaration of martial law in Mindanao.

In mediation, we see all the levels of degradation.

Unconditional Cash Transfer

It seems so because some recipients have lost it to others carrying their identification cards with photos changed. Now DU30 rejects supposedly conditional foreign aid.

But as Prof. Randy David says, we are instead reaching out for a rope with which to hang ouselves.

Confirming Doubts

The Senate Old Boys' Club is still being wielded at single moms or any other person not their kind. But to their ilk, they are quick to grant confirmation, as proven by their latest beneficiary Alan-is, teased a netizen.

Bias may look good on a dress but it has no place in mediation.  

Me-daya Ranking

Abs-Cbn and GMA always announce they are winning audience over the other. Finally, there is a move to settle this improbable case before a third party aside from Kantar and Nielsen serving the stations respectively.

Media mediation.

Mighty No More

This cigarette company that was the way out of sin tax, seems to be on the way out, too. That is what happens to inconvenient lies in the name of shortcuts.

DU30 joined the fray by imposing his own, as usual financial impositions. Presidential fixer, no less!

Greed resurfaces

Again the National Grid Corporation is up in oil against DOE and Transco. Dios ko!!

Mean time, China shows off natural gas exploration nearby. Naturally.

Comey all ye faithful

Doing your job is hazardous to your job security. This was experienced by Comey who is now gone, after investigating Trump's Russian roulette last elections.

Better off, though than De Lima. Low five!

Campaign A la Mode

Hillary is not laughing; in fact, forming Resistance Groups reminiscent of war movements. Understandable, but in our own backyard, we met fellow jury advocates from Mindanao with uniform Duterte shirts still. And unfaded, mind you, so do they get replacement shirts  like Nazi Youth? Are they now pushing for federalism, we asked. In the meantime, they are touring Malacanang, Arroyo province and Dino kingdom by the (Subic) Bay.

While we thanked them at McDonald's for helping in our signature campaign, we told them of our coming primer. (There, it says a sitting (duck) president can be brought to jury trial.)

Trouble with Arbitration

Sounds arbitrary? It's because the decision is handed down by an arbiter or judge. In the PH case, what makes matters worse is its ex parte (one-sided) status due to China's refusal to participate in the process.

Mediation ensures enforcement as the two disputants agree on their own settlement.

Independent Policy

Sure was foreign to DU30. For all the bravado, he was proud to claim Trump instructed him to call China regarding North Korea.

Independent call center agent perhaps?

I didn't want to do it

Remember that classic song? It seems it has some medical basis. According to recent neurological studies featured in CNN's "My brain made me do it," some violent criminals had a brain tumor. Now, aside from crime of passion, an alibi could be brain compression.

Mediation undoes these things.

Such a shame

For not paying their school canteen lunch, students in the US were shabbily treated. Their lunch tray was taken away and thrown to the garbage bin, and they were given a cheese sandwich instead, if they were lucky. Or a kind canteen staff paid for their lunch. Instead of a star, "lunch unpaid" was stamped on their wrist.

All for a $2.05  lunch! These lunch-shamers were most probably trained by horrible credit collectors from hell. School guidance counselors could then double as mediators.

Doctor of Scripts

GMA Creative Consultant Ms. Doctolero called one of their shows a "flop." Three fingers are actually pointing at herself.

Mediation is a lesson in self-awareness.

Thawed

That happens to Frozen things after a while. The heart of ice melts after the winter of discontent.

Mediation speeds up the process.

Very Good

Thus Trump self-rated his presidency. In what?

Nepotism, antagonizing groups of people and nations, and other negative aspects. Not the clear and unbiased communication needed in mediation.

Peace-loving

When DU30 described himself as such in a recent "ambush" interview, his first word sounded like its four-letter homonym.

And he seems to be doing it over corpses left by his drug war.

Revisiting Covey

Summer cleaning, saw my notes on the 7 Habits.  There it was on the 4th slot- Think WinWin.

That's the double victory of mediation.

Lemon Square

The Lemon Law is a lemon too. This seems to be the consensus among consumers who tangle with DTI on car defects. The same one has to be detected four times on vehicles brand new up to a year.

What if at the first instance, the Monterror had become a total wreck on day 366 or 7?

Filipino Time

Notice how ABS-CBN tells time of shows as either before or after some other program, whenever that would be.

Can't do that in a Compromise Agreement; like saying "will pay when able."

Culinary Arts

CNN featured a female French chef whose name I didn't catch nor could possibly spell! Her approach is exemplary. Instead of shouting in the kitchen, she has classical  music playing to promote harmony. Poetry is thus manifested in what they present to guests. And farmers are her rock stars.

This chef could mediate when she retires.

So Thoughtless

Sotto did it again. The last of the Senate clowns, less Pacman trainee, showed his true misogynist color.

Miso soup anyone? He can wash his mouth with it.

Booking

In Tondo, Manila, a precinct took this procedure literally, behind the bookshelves!

Buking by the CHR!

Vexation to the Station

ABS-CBN's Umagang Kay Ganda has been my breakfast gang for awhile. Lately, GMA NewsTV put before the camera ala DZRH their morning radio anchors. As all apers, they tend to overdo things.

They drove my bp up. Could they be the reason Pinoy drivers bring rage to the streets?

Maraming Riles Tanggal

What MRT means now. Added trivia, it is maintained by a company called Busan! Get the drift?

Real zombies, however, ordered 40 some coaches that are not compatible with the rails.

Mediating Mendicancy

Pastor Willy Chua's book "Treasures Within Reach" touched on the Dignity of Faith. He said we should not use OPM (Other People's Money) as it insults God's generosity. If only DU30 had more faith in Him than in China and Russia! 

Anals of Internal Medicine

That's no typo. Colonoscopy could injure or even kill! This method of "mass destruction" is now considered worse than its cure or prevention, at least. Sounds like litigation too.

Mediating Genius

CNN covered the Child Genius Olympiad for a $100k scholarship. Interestingly, there were more Asians and Indians than whites. And tiger parents bared their fangs, questioning rulings and complaining regarding difficulty of questions. In the end, the whites ruled over them.

Heel Billy O'Reilly

Fox's The F---tor host's shenanigans bared, to CNN's gleeful coverage. More than the ratings, the pull-out of bigtime ads decided his fate.

Horrors Cause

UP's offer of the honorary degree for DU30 was third degreed by its students and alumni.

Good thing, he mediated and rejected it. Was he also medicated?

Trouble in Island Paradise

How come during this tough-talking administration, the homeless take over government housing, and the Abusados go tourist island-hopping? Is this bullydog see, bullydog do?

Or are they all from the same kennel? Mediate, please Cesar Millan!

Driver Possessed

A bank repossessor acted like one while hauling away his catch.

The cops caught up with him, with unfortunate results.

DOM Development

Another impromptu decision of DU30- Department of Migration! For the birds?

Although, seriously speaking, a lot of trainors in the Cabinet, headed by their Chief!!!

Rela-thieves

A lot of Roas going on in the list of BBM contributors to his electoral protest.

Relatively speaking, just returning the favor of BBM support to DU30 campaign.

Moderating Greed for Power

"The authoritarian and his followers" article authored by John Nery analyzed the rise of DU30.

"First, limited political pluralism. Second, legitimacy based on emotion. Third, constraining of social mobilization. And fourth, informally defined executive power." Juan Linz

Alexa Koenig, Executive Director of UC Berkeley's Human Rights Center also warned that "authoritarians do not rely on mass popular support. They rely on mass passiveness, (on) passivity."

We are so alerted.

Armless Wilfred

We have a local re-abled hero featured by GMA News TV's Front Row. He chops wood, cooks rice, and does errands, aside from taking care of himself.

Wilfred could be a motivational speaker to beggars.

Sharks

Even these animals signal each other of nearby meals.

Loan sharks give them a bad name.

Jun No more

The Korean party-candyman slipped through the hands of the law. Were they greased?

Just proves that all this tough talk-h(ib)ang just that!

Easter Hunting

In Costa Rica, it's for crocs!

In PH, that should be done daily.

Coldplay

This British band who recently visited PH and a cancer patient has an apt Easter song that goes, "If you love someone, you should let them know..."

Or go?

Unplugged Nation

For Your Inspiration (FYI) features possibilities for detachment or being off the grid.

Or off the greed.

Love the Coopers

It's "Happy Hour" at Star Movies. The Fred Flintstone and Annie Hall actors portray empty nesters in crisis.

Love the copers!

United, They Fall

As the song goes, "How long has this been going on?" When United announced ,"Is there a doctor on board," they should have added, " And a mediator, too!"

Acrobatic Acronyms

In an emergency, one wouldn't be able to pronounce the initials to call out for help-NDRRMC! See? The followers of DU3O still on campaign mode, MRRD (Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte) something, the ones who issued a memo to him re DILG's former Secretary Sueno (meaning dream in Spanish) gave the latter a nightmare instead. Notice the reverse order of letters.

Break in case of fiery moves.

The Intern/ship

Mistaking it for the one featuring Robert de Niro as intern to Anne Hathaway's character, twas similarly about two unemployed salesmen who ventured into Google.  Among a sea
of nerds, the two street-smart losers contributed ideas for an app to protect users from drunken posts. They also nailed a contract with a pizza parlor.

Everyone brings in something to the mediation table.

Musical Play

This one tackled EJK. Noteworthy, thought-provoking and could lead to positive reaction. Much like those artistic effigies too beautiful sometimes to burn.

Mediation, on the other is a more direct way to solve conflict.

Dear Prudence

This song of the Beatles has added meaning nowadays with warnings not to leave your children, things and now even drinks unattended! The latter versus spiking.

So too in mediation, an ounce of prevention is worth more than the resulting perversion.

Downtown Business

Downton Abbey II is called Mr. Selfridge, complete with a carryover actor we spotted.  Now it's World War II that is a-brewing. But there is again the long list of characters in conflict with self, others, the boss and government.

Ever since the time of Jesus, there was a need for Mediation.

Mediating Mic

There was yet another scuffle over the microphone in a videoke. The Pinoy's favorite indoor pastime can also be a pestime.

Mediation advocates sharing the blame and the noise.

Rejecting the Stone

Yesterday's TV coverage of the earthquake's destruction of the Batangas church showed men gathering stones strewn on the basilica's frontyard. They picked up whatever they could carry but one chose to try moving a heavy chunk. He seemed to be calling for help but the others just passed him by.

Mediation is like that. Some decide to just pay attention to the small trivial stuff. The real issue might be something nobody else wants to touch.

Ghost in the Shell

This futuristic film starred Scarlett Johansson who could have been exorcising the ghost of ex-husband Ryan Reynolds, whose character coincidentally and ironically died in "Life." In her movie, though, android Scarlett seeks out theJapanese biological mother of the person from whom she was frankensteined.

Mediators are simpler ghostbusters.

Smurfs

Did you ever wonder that Smurfette was the only girl among them? Their new movie reveals another land with all the women!

Perhaps that was why both exclusive lands were peaceful.

Moving Trump

But he does this on things within his reach at table, as shown by news reports. OC? Or a shark establishing his territory?

Mediation welcomes sincere and productive movers and shakers.

Cats from Hell

A single woman's cat was showing fear and insecurity. Then, she admitted to putting her pet under her sweater for comfort! Problem solved- she was enabling her cat's emotional neediness and dependence on her.

Mediation likewise empowers wo/men to be masters of their fate.

Ape Reels

Gets curiouser still. It's now the Battle of the Mistresses at the House. And Alvarez has been caught with his, pants on while jetting with her on an official trip with Alpha Macho.

Who will mediate? IBP? Ombudsman? On these bad men?

Rising Interest

For once, DZRH TV featured live the Senate inquiry on the proposed Benham Rise Development Authority. And exclusive of all the other channels, at that. Except for
PTV-4, of course since DZRH is getting to sound like a government mouthpiece, too.
Was it to preempt the supplemental impeachment complaint?

Beware the Ideas of March.

General Solicitor

Our country can best be described as doggone. Everyday, a Digong clone spews lava meant for the lavatory. Do they get treats after?

Mediation's nightmare!

The Many Colors of the Bullied

Running out of choices for senior free movies, viewing Power Rangers was a pleasant surprise as well as cathartic after the worrisome (Martian) Life. This time around, five outsider earthlings (white athlete, Afro-American nerd, Asian caretaker of his mom, and
two girls) are given a colored stone each a la Darna.

Bullied, unite! Go to mediation.

Great Barrier Reef

FYI featured it as one of the Coolest Places on Earth.

Now  if it's a rift, not cool. Really hot!

Cheat Mate

There is a real stale mate in Congress. After the impeachment complaint against DU30, the usual reactors got out of their burrows. Gopher it, Arribalvarez!

Thank the Holy Spirit for enlightening the mind of the former Senate President Nene Pimentel, hopefully infusing his son of the same. 

No End to Endo

Inquirer reported that TUCP called the latest DOLE order a "loss-loss' for labor. To whom, the contracting corporations, her na, niya pa!

In mediation, the tall order is for a win-win.

Geberit

This name of a hand dryer at SM sounds like a charade piece "Gee, bear it." The heat?

Or you could bring it to mediation.

Fast Food for Thought

Some view Lent as diet season. Instead, Fr. Orbos suggests to "fast on anger."

In mediation, it's for all year-round.

Son of a Planter

Secretary of State of the mind of US Rex Tillerson had a  kingly decree: Strategic patience has ended.

Like his Commander-in-Chief, not mediator material.

Sakit Ulo

The trouble with lying is that the other party can present contravening evidence. This happened when VP Leni showed letters sent to the PNP and DILG inquiring re accusations of police abuse her office had received.

In mediation, too, if in doubt, check the papers.

Mal Teaser

Filer of the impeachment complaint could have been one, judging from the nervous laughter it elicited from Pantaleon Alvarez. Hope it doesn't catch him with his pants down.

Never underestimate an opponent.

Benham Rise

This issue has been rising. For one thing, it adds area to PH more than the size of Luzon. The underwater resources to which it is entitled reportedly include "thriving corals,  56 types of fish, natural gas deposits and manganese," according to government-initiated exploration dives 2014 and 2016. This was reported by the Sunday Inquirer.

No wonder it attracts menacing sharks on two legs.

Conflict With Self

Thomas a Kempis said: Who has a stronger conflict than he who strives to overcome himself?

A good Lenten and mediation reflection.

Check the Label

Have you noticed that McDonald's Filet o' Fish is not spelled right? But their Chicken Fillet is. What gives, or takes?

Bothered by this inconsistency, I called their attention one lazy day. Mediation PR

Kramer vs. Kramer

Not the original that starred Meryl Streep and Dustin Hoffman (where they had their own conflict off-cam, we read, so they have never costarred since). This French version had the spouses fight over their dog! The latter ran away and settled for a panhandler on the street.

An allegory on what children undergo during family break-up.

Lucky Eddie

He is a member of the crew of Hagar The Horrible in the Philippine Star's lovable cartoon, the "go-to guy if things get desperate in foreign lands!"  But is he "tougher than he looks?" Hagar replies, "No, but he can surrender in 8 languages!"

Some are just born lackey.

A Kroc in McDonald's

Kroc was one of the franchisees of old McDonald's farm. He had big innovative plans that were not well-received so he struck on his own. There is a Kroc under every arch.

Some partnerships gone south are tackled in mediation.

My Freedom Day

That's today, according to CNN PH.

What do you want to be rid off via mediation?

Divine Mercy

Christ was quoted by Saint Faustina as saying,"My daughter, you have not offered Me that which is really yours. Give Me your misery, because it is your exclusive property."

You may also bring them to mediation.

Time Lies

Memory can be retroactive. Take it from the Bilibid or not convicts, the BI-men of Wigman, and Sec.Yeahs-aye as against MatoBato and Lascanas.

Mediation often walks that fine line between truth and its halves.

Color-Blind

National Artist Cesar Legaspi was one. And he was a noted painter! He arranged his colors in permanent organization.

Mediators are to be bias-blind, too and hold their thoughts to themselves.

Horrorscope

Glanced at my horoscope printed above Sudoku. It said: "Tough to keep your shirt on if you have to get something off your shirt."

It's gentler in mediation.

Lively Hoods

They're back! The PNP posse is back to hound the drugged brigade.

Internal Affairs Commission, beware of their c/omissions!

Lent Life

How ironic that during the season of Lent, Batasan passed the Death Penalty Bill, when we are looking forward to Life at Easter.

Mediation aims to ensure quality of life, if not love.

From Roach to Roa Duterte

That is Pacman's shift in coaches, according to Rep. Edsel Lagman. Ultimately, he has to be his own fighter and thinker.

So in mediation, disputants decide for themselves, not their lawyers.

Lutong Macau

That seems to be the description of De Lima's arrest order. The issuing judge came from there days earlier. Rumor has it, too, that one of the Supreme Court Justices was likewise spotted in a bank in Romania late last year in anticipation of the PET review of the Marcos electoral protest. In addition, last month a Comelec computer was stolen in Lanao Del Sur, reports the Inquirer.

PCGG, the funds are on Romanian holiday! And COMELEC, investigate the PET project!

Music Mediation

AMC feature Bound for Glory traced the life of Woody Guthrie from migrant hick to California country singer-union activist.

Recommended for Trump viewing.

Altar to an Unknown God

That was seen by St. Paul in Athens, Greece. Thus, he proclaimed Whom they should be adoring.

Mediators likewise take hints on how to bring disputants to a settlement,.

Unlikely

Goat surfing like a pro was featured in Nat Geo Wild.

In mediation, we have frenemies. But like the trainable goat, frenemies can get back to being friends.

Battle-ready

The EDSA celebration last week was a battleground in more ways than one.

Let us be prudent and heed St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians (Chapter 6), which was summarized elsewhere as thus: "Spiritual battle requires grace, not self-reliance; prayer, not fear; and wisdom, not folly."

So many Ouches for both sides.