Sounds of the Times

Now that Martial Law is up for renewal, this anti-life insurance is again preceded by a bomb blast in Sultan Kudarat. The rat! Again on a foreign trip just as jets were whirling when the first announcement on martial law was declared by DU30 smiling at Mocha who was holding the camera.

Deafening moment in deed!

Golden Girls

Not yet 60 but these young athletes won gold medals for PH.

While men are supposed to bring home the bacon, leave it to the women for the best things in life!

Moving On

Yet another suggestion from CJ de Castro, after Marcoses et al. Not a good precedent, though, from plunderers!

It is becoming a way out of accountability. In mediation, the past is summarized briefly in order to focus on how to resolve the conflict that ensued. Now that is really, realistically, and effectively moving on so we don't go back to the problem.

Impeach/Appointment

Only in the PH is this curious case of a Chief Justice facing impeachment upon her appointment.

Justice above and for all, the Chief included! Such is also in mediation.

SMART

CNN's Vital Signs reviewed the characteristics of effective goals:

S-pecific
M-easurable
A-chievable
R-ealistic
T-ime-bound

Applicable to compromise agreements too.

Wait Until Dark

TCM featured this Audrey Hepburn classic where she played a blind wife who inadvertently got into possession of a doll stashed with drugs. Seems this scheme had been present all along, or this movie gave smugglers the idea.

Mediation, on the other hand gives way to good ideas for disputants to agree on a compromise agreement.

Arms

They are for pulling together or staying apart.

The Chinese version is not for hugging but rather hogging all it can cover.

"Played into my hands"

How DU30 described Joma Sison not in a game of poker, nor hide-and-seek but the serious matter of governance

Now we know why DU30 goes into antics when evading issues like missing shabu shipments. A no-no in mediation

He's Baaack

For once, you wanted to believe Joma Sison regarding his infamous student's coma. It now seems to be just a comma in his journey.

God is the ultimate mediator of life.

Siya man magkamali

Xiamen Airline's accident on the NAIA runway was ominous. After ruling our seas, is China now lording over our airway. Next could be our land and resources after we renege on these humongous loans for Chinese-built bridges over troubled waters!

Learn from neighbors, PH!

Medical Crisis Again

On Ninoy's death anniversary, we are again confronted with an ailing president and lying aides.

Would they now get a doctor to attest to his health? 

Friendly Persuasion

That was a classic movie about the "death-defying" Quakers during the Civil War.

Could also describe mediation.

Double Standard

DU30 slams US regarding its threat vs PH buying Russian submarines. However he is quiet after China's rebuff of his very own diplomatic observation on the latter's military activities at the Western PH Sea.

Little boy crying wolf, then turning the other cheek to another. Incredible!

Life or Lust

For power, i.e. John Ortberg narrates: "During WWll, Red Cross made blood available to all who needed it- even the enemy. It would provide the soldier the name of his donor so that he could write a letter or note of thanks, if wished. It was customary to give a Nazi officer a Jewish donor. Some refused and preferred to die. Others chose life and a new view and attitude toward it."

Red Cross became a real mediator of life.

T H I N K

Can't recall now where this came from but the acronym for THINK was listed as:
Thoughtful
Honest
Intelligent
Necessary and
Kind in all communication.

Would put mediators out of business, thankfully.

Imports

PH does not want to import rice needed badly but would think nothing about getting another Vice Presidential successor and an NBA player to join our team.

There oughta be a law and if ever there is, follow it!

Masungi

Not cranky this Geo Reserve featured by CNN PH. In here, conservationists speak out for Mother Nature.

Like mediators giving voice to the powerless disputants.

Puede

ABS-CBN's Banana Sundae take on Puederalismo:

Puede kang mag-hingi ng umento pag sisisantehin ka na.

Puede kang mag- long break sa day-off mo....

Compromise agreements contain real gains for both disputants.

Voice Recognition

Sundays with "Lucky Dog," the trainer prepared a service dog carrying a backpack of medicines to respond to the call of ailing prospective master.

Looking like a medical mediator!

A Free Soul

TCM feature was ahead of its black & white time. Alcoholic lawyer's free spirit daughter lands up with his gambling lord client. In the end, the daughter offers to give up the scoundrel if her father gives up the bottle.

Compromise agreement!

Quality of Mercy

It sure was strained when DU30 supposedly pacified the warring factions of PDP-Laban, ironically instigated by his daughter. Insiders say they just discussed the 2019 line-up of candidates.

Unqualified mediator as warfreak himself, and disqualified for conflict of interest.

Allies

Saw "Honor the Legacy of Jose Abad Santos" yesterday.
A tear-jerker docu on PH's best Chief Justice/Acting President/Secretary of Finance, Agriculture and Commerce during WWll. As luck would have it, he had a Catholic Japanese guard during his captivity who was able to personally deliver his letter and photo to his wife.

A mediator is like that oasis in the crisis of life.

Cattle Hustlers

In a CNN "Take a Look at This" clip, a herd of cows rounded up a driver who trespassed on their pasture after abandoning his vehicle in their field.

Cattle arrest!

Crude Awakening

Federalism took an even more controversial route with the entry of Mocha Uson and partner. Solons having the last say on her badshot budget might have the last laugh still/steal.

No one being an I-land, you will have to be accountable some way.

Sincere Effort

We casually asked a wait staff in a fancy restaurant if we could have a marker that our group meets there regularly. She left and we thought she would get the person in-charge of it. She came with a black marker!

Clarify and if possible put it in writing.

Non-Candidate

Despite claiming to be one like his boss, Bong Go seems to have a Chief Campaigner in DU30, who called him the Mr. Fix-It guy.

Beyond mediation, these two Denial Kings.

Is he or isn't he?

Well physicallly, psycho-socially, morally i.e. DU30 owes citizens the answer to this basic question on his governance, though they have a fairly good idea on some aspects. Spokespersons are not credible to expound on it for conflict of interest. No less than an objective medical bulletin is required.

Much like a mediator.

Minority

This is the only time everyone wants to be in it. Hot! For the sub-majority, forming it would ensure a complete block of blockheads in the Butasan.

Mediation, on the other hand is for fairness and equality.

C/ommission

The Cha-Cha Consultative Committee seems to be lacking in serious follow-through. After submitting their Obra Maestra, they have retreated into the woodwork and notorious Mocha is being brewed as the spokesperson of their work.

In mediation, the terms of the Compromise Agreement has to be strictly followed.

Angas Beef

Bright idea for brand from the province of Bat-angas and not implying brashness.

Good to clarify before the need for mediation.

Dispensable

Scheduling meetings are tricky. Some are busier than most. Others just pretend.

In mediation, disputants are the most indispensables.