Strong Arm

Duterte is figuratively exercising at the gym of rhetorics. After the tit-for-tat withholding of PH visa  from opposing American legislators, he now instructs ABS-CBN whose renewal of license to operate he says he would not approve, to just sell the network.

Beyond mediation.

Middlesex

This place of exile in UK of the French Knight D'Eon took a double meaning when he cross-dressed even during fencing competition.  He was rumored to have fathered the Prince of Wales then so he thought of this way-out of controversy. (Secrets of History, TV5 Monde)

Mediation goes beyond appearances.

Blind Audition

The Voice is a no-frills singing talent competition where judges hear the contestant with their backs turned.

Much like Justice should be.

Gaya-gaya

Duterte did it again. Now, he is banning American legislators from entering PH, as if they have stash hidden here.

Not a very gay matter.

538 and Me

Comedy Central's Trevor Noah came up with this app to match one's DNA with a compatible candidate among those running in the coming elections.

If only there were an app for the apt Compromise Agreement.

Resolution

Got into the blogsite entries again! But did not write down specific steps to them.

Like a Compromise Agreement, should avoid getting into this dilemma again.

Magnitsky's the limit

Finally, we are heaving a national sigh of relief  as the US, EU, UK, Canada and other countries are jointly serving justice to persons who are corrupt and violate human rights, Duterte and his minions included.

That's international mediation.

MasChrist really

Francis Kong related that Mother Mary had a dream. She told Joseph that all the people celebrated Jesus' birthday. They gave each other presents but did not have any for Jesus.

Mediation gives everyone his due.

Am Baack

Again found the way to my blog!

Much like going back and forth to court in case of a suit.

Smarterphone

Given recently a new mobile phone upon renewal of postpaid contract, had to get used to its new features.

Lost my blogsite and could not retrieve it till today.

Hummingbirds

These smallest birds need nectar almost continuously even in the rain. Thus they have learned to shake off excess water persistently.

Much like the process of mediation.

Wakeari

Meaning "there is a reason" in Japanese, it refers to food less than perfect in presentation and thus valued at a discount.

Our Daily Bread reflected that it could refer to people too, except from God's perspective. Or to a "buyer beware" warning on cheap products.

The Power of Empathy

Our Daily Bread reflected on the R70i Age Suit that is put on by caregivers to experience how their cared for sees, moves and generally functions.

Perhaps mediators can likewise don an M-in-conflict headset.

Are the ducks out yet?

In her New Lucy Show, Lucille Ball was trying to impress a new friend so she went duck-hunting with him one early morning. There, she discovered her talent to make duck calls to attract them.

Sometimes, we become sitting ducks to scammers.

Camp Dartmouth

This sign on a tee-shirt makes one think that sometimes we have to put to rest an overactive mouth.

Being Human Beings

"When asked to define his role in a community that was sometimes uncooperative with law enforcement, a sheriff didn't flash his badge or respond with the rank of his office.  Rather he offered, "We are human beings who work with human beings in conflict." (Our Daily Bread)

Could be a mediator speaking, too.

Greta Thunberg

She is geeting to be a youthful thorn in the side of those denying climate change's worst case scenarios.

Sometimes it takes the concern of the most affected would-be victims to bring out urgent solutions to problems we face.

Mediating Media

Diana, goddess of hunting, became the hunted, as pointed out by her brother.  But she hunted for the link to author Andrew Morton. Victims sometimes victimize too.

Crown in Glory 3

Prince Philip's uncle Lord Mountbatten forced out of military leadership was tapped by the Bank of England to head a coup. He outlined its requirements:
1. Control of media
2. Control of economy
3. Administrative target/s
4. Loyalty of the military

Sounds familiar again

Take a Number

Our Daily Bread reflected on "bad" days  when fate seems to be conspiring against us.

Better to settle conflict in mediation than count the number of years in a court suit.

Crown in Glory 2

When it was Prince Charles' turn to be invested his crown as Prince of Wales, he was forced to leave his budding drama career in Cambridge to learn Welsh for three months in a university in where else, Wales. There, he was welcomed by boos from anti- monarch nationalists, principally his tutor. The latter took pity on the lonely prince and invited him for dinner at his home. When it was time to tuck in their son, his wife was struck by the look on Prince Charles' face whom they had to momentarily leave at the dinner table. "His look was shattering," told the wife to the tutor, "He must've never experienced such." 

Crown in Glory

Back in Netflix, the Queen refuses at first to condole with the surviving coal mining families in Aberfan, Wales. She declares to the Prime Minister that the monarch doesn't put on a show. Later, PM Wilson confides that as an academician, he prefers cigars but uses a pipe in keeping with his Labor Party status.

Mediation is certainly not a show, but penalizes no-shows in sessions.

Bird Brain

Pardon the expression, but mayas are really small. One got into my room, so I opened one little  screen window to let it out. For several long minutes, this creature swung from one window to another before it finally found its way out.

Like some disputants.

Peach Season

For Trump now. Ex-Ambassador to Ukraine Yovanovitch is no bitch.

Dictators and Sports

Hitler started it with the 11th Olympiad in 1936.  Since then, despots have used sports events as a sign of progress.  Asean Games is coming to Manila.

Define Terms

America's Funniest Home Videos featured a child repeating, "It is fragile" while holding a breakable bowl which he quickly dropped into the toy basket.

You Again

Watched again this hilarious but painful account of 3 generations of bullying females.

Mediation avoids these reruns of conflict.

Use

"Mabuti pa kay Cayetano ang manok, kung pumutak, alas singko na."

Raining Rulers

Took awhile to reconcile the 5th richest family, the Chakris to be the Thai monarchy. Initially thought they were into conserving rainwater.

Typos are a no-no in Compromise Agreements.

The Hand of Comfort

Our Daily Bread reflection today relates the effect of a nurse's assistant whose hand reached out to a frightened patient.

Such is mediation too.

Woman's Job

Woeman, more apt as we pick up the mess left by men, is best exemplified by VP Leni who is faced with, but not fazed by accepting DU30's offer to co-chair ICAD. 

Traffic

It's global. Not only on the road, but involving human beings.  This woman in the Middle East paid a trafficker for fake documents to work in Spain as a farmhand.

She even made her hands rough to prove she was used to work the soil. But the recruiters checked her feet, which were trimmed and polished! Denied

Brothers

CinemaWorld's Lovely Louise was about a Greta Garbo-wannabee who left Hollywood and Bill, her son by a director and went back to another son Andre in Switzerland. Bill reunites with them, only to try and get some money. Reminiscent of Esau and Jacob!

Waiting

Zechariah and Elizabeth waiting for decades till God granted them a son. Sometimes, looking forward to a court decision is like that, with unpredictable results at that.

Second Opinion

Just as we seek another medical advice after seeing our first physician, mediation can be considered after consulting our lawyer.

Joy and Justice

Psalm 67 says they go together. Like after a successful mediation.

Details

Not only the devil is into it. Mediation requires accurate and exact conditions in the resulting Compromise Agreement- when, where, what time will payments be made by whom, to whom. Like Harry Potter's address of Cupboard under the Stairs of his uncle's home.

Tiny House, Big Living

In one of its eisode, they converted a schoolbus into a house extention on their lawn.

Mediation handles cases of big house, tiny living.

False Pretenses

Caught this European film on CinemaWorld. A female magazine researcher fell overboard a freight ship and was saved by a smuggler's boat.  Soon pirates overtook them and to protect the researcher, the smuggler claimed she was his wife. The pirate believed him and asked, "Why don't you buy her some clothes!"

Not so easy to get away from those alibis in mediation.

Divine Mediator

Our Daily Bread had this insightful reflection today.

"The One who had exhorted the crowds to 'Listen!' earlier in the day, uttered a simple, powerful command to the winds of nature- 'Quiet! Be still!'"

The first exhortation is used in mediation, and the second, when things gets rowdy, although these reminders are both given during the orientation at the start of the initial session.

You can bank on

Buying real estate is tricky business. A broker myself, I understand their eagerness for a sale. However, a buyer cannot be careful enough. Otherwise, s/he could be fooled.

A mortgaged property is easily verified in the bank by the buyer. The seller also has the assurance and security of payment.

Medium

"Ghost" comic relief in Whoopi Goldberg reminds mediators that they at times have to be the same in cooling off some heated moments.

Scratching Back

"Ang Totoo" commentary of Mr. Teodoro on BBM is aptly called.  BBM stands to win his VP election protest with SC packed with DU30 appointees. Then, when BBM becomes VP, DU30 resigns and Pres. BBM gets him off all the lawsuits he will be faced with. Quid pro quo.

Squid tactic more so.

Squirrel and Deer

To squirrel away is not a good thing while deer sounds like dear. A squirrel hoards for the winter while a deer roams around in the snow looking for food, so observed in Our Daily Bread.

People in mediation are like either animal.

Gracious Exit

The French leave of Duterte from the Japanese Emperor's enthronement is his latest travel controversy. Beats his Frequent Flyer Miles to China.

Six Days Seven Nights

In a sequel to his adventure films, Harrison Ford is a pilot who gets stranded on an island with a New Yorker photographer. Exploring the area, they find the wreckage of another plane which they use to prop up their crashed one.

Mediation is something like that, learning from the mistakes of others.

Kingdom

It has only one king. So two contesting ones have to be given a kingdom or turf each.

Monkey Bars

In his Business Matters commentary over 98.7 FM, Francis Kong compares this gym equipment to life's letting go before moving on.

How like mediation.

Sidewalk

Cafes in Europe are so chic. Why have we bastardize them into vending areas?

Victor (ia &) Abdul

Never tire of discovering nuances in Victoria & Abdul.
The Crown Prince and courtiers tell on Abdul's using Queen Victoria to his advantage. Her retort: how is he any indifferent from all of you?

Projection is the defense mechanism of seeing one's fault in others.

The Vice President

She is second to the  Ptesident, just in case. Or President of Vice, in some case.

Mary Poppins

Its songs are music to sleep by. In one, the leeries or lamplighters encourage to be incandescent in times of fog and darkness.

Like mediators.

Magalong

Now Baguio City Mayor, this former military man has pointed to retiring AFP CS Albayalde as head of the so-called ninja cops into recycling- of confiscated illegal drugs.

Tag a long time, about time too!

Victoria & Abdul

On again seeing this film, reflected on Abdul glorifying an Indian traitor to British rule in a presentation before the royal court.  Of course, Queen Victoria's children were ecstatic till the Queen reconsidered his expulsion.

Like lawyers muddling the issue between two disputants.

American Immigration

This HISTORY feature quoted a Vietnamese saying: We are here because you were there.

Counter-migration.

Moses

He was compared by an EWTN commentator to Superman in the way they entered the world in a basket.

Mediation requires such open-mindedness.

Moe-wah

Not SM by the Bay but baby talk for more when wanting to bite more of the lemon, recalled his parent.

Rarely an adult reaction to conflict.

Breaking In

Not a house but Queen Elizabeth's new shoes is part of her staff's job description.
Imagine an application form asking for shoe size?!

Taking the Blame

Grey's Anatomy marathon today featured a doctor taking a malpractice rap for another he is in love with.

In mediation, they play the blame game at first.

God or Money

This Sunday's Gospel deals with the shrewdness of  a steward. By which standard?

Mediation of Space

We have two disputing members of management in the hospital where I vilunteer. One will be assigned temporarily in our Subic Aeta school while the other to Leyte homebase.

Caucus is one-on-one with each disputant to cool off and think options out.

Power of Two

"Two are better than one; because they have a good return for their work;
If one falls down, his friend can help him up..." Ecclesiates 4: 9- 10

Prayer of Disputants

The M States

"Common Sense Catholicism" author Bill Donohue reported over EWTN that Mississippi outranks Massachusetts in donations.

Sometimes those with less are more generous than those with more.

Wonder

A physically- challenged boy Auggie/August was awarded by his school for the strength to literally face his problem.

Such also is mediation's challenge to disputants.

Re Tail

A Dolphin Tale recounted the prosthetic tail on one such animal after its own was amputated due to infection.

Mediation is like this new lease (sometimes meaning literally) on life.

Mediating Failure

Dustin Hoffman in "Tootsie" gives encouragement and hope to struggling actors. You can be anyone the role demands.

Tell Tail

"Why Animals Behave That Way" featured dogs communicating by their tail- wagging left or right, upright or between the legs. That is why short-tailed dogs are at an disadvantage.

In mediation, tall tales are a no-no.

Inhabiting

Our Daily Bread reflects on "lingering in a book, especially the Bible." That is good.

However, not so in conflict like if past your allowable time in a rented space.

You've Got Competition

This happened on film. A bookstore owner marries a book building owner.

Hopefully, reality imitates art at times.

Mute Ninja Turtles

A Holy Mass homilist likened the migration of turtle hatchlings to the beach as D- Day in reverse.

In both ways, God is the divine mediator.

Mauritius Mediation

The papal celebration of Holy Mass in the sun had the people in light yellow Panama hats! Smart alternative to umbrellas.

Leaders Learn

Put feisty (women) leaders in a teapot of "The Strict" Convention and nothing is conventional.

Meeting troubled trio today.

Wedding Mediator

Have just been to a well- coordinated wedding and amazed how it was planned!

Except for unforeseen events, it went seamlessly.

Jesus' 5 Fingers

Tonight's Mass' homily over EWTN centered on His 5 Wounds and 5 Words: You did this to Him.

Acceptance of responsibility for one's action is the basis of an effective Compromise Agreement.

Such is Life

My daughter's family treated me to a daytrip to Kai Farm then a staycation at Taal Vista Hotel. When we checked in, we took in the spectacular view till the fog took over. This morning, it was clear again.

Conflict is life's fog.

Silver Rule

It is only Silver because it is the negative version, it seems of Islam. "Do not do unto others..."

The Golden Rule is limitless, too as it exhorts to "Do unto others..." whatever good we can.

Overflowing Fruit

Our Daily Bread reflected on a neighbor's grapes, plums and oranges reaching the other side of their fence, to which they were welcome.

That is loving your neighbor in practice without need for mediation.

What a Difference an R makes

Oslob fishermen now get more pay feeding krill to whale sharks whom they use to fin and throw back to the water to die of suffocation.

More way to earn a living.

Mediating Employees

Human Resources deals with people's exercise of their will.

God willing, they all have the good of the group in mind, and not just their own.

Divine Mediator

"The Lord has sworn by his right hand and by his mighty arm; 'Never again will I give your grain as food for your enemies, and never again will foreigners drink the new wine for which you have toiled; but those who gather the grapes will drink it in the courts of my sanctuary.' " - Isaiah 62: 8-9

Divine Justice 

Historian Luke

Like Mark, Luke the Evangelist was not an Apostle. He had to rely on first-hand accounts on the life of Jesus Christ.

Like in cases when one party refuses to be subjected to psychological testing in annulment cases, interviews with relatives and mutual friends are resorted to.

Miss Communication

In The New Lucy Show, she becomes a new accounts clerk. For lack of clients, she asks friends to withdraw accounts and redeposit for a new toaster. Word got around however that the bank and not she, was not doing well, leading almost to a bank run. As a friend asked her, is this legal? Lucy replied, it's not illegal.

Mediation deals with this thin line between legal and moral being crossed.

Discernment

Projection is the defense mechanism of pointing out to others what are really our faults which we see in them.

Good thing to remember when listening to disputants' complaints about each other.

Anti-Mary

Carrie Gress, PhD coined the term for extreme feminism at present.

Some are just plain anti-marry.

A-counting

The Parable of the Workers in the field hired at different hours deals with a potential issue in mediation. It's like employees comparing paychecks which is really none of their business.

Recycling

The Bible first gave this idea in the book of Micah: Weapons of war will become farming tools, and every person who answers God's call will find a peaceful home and a productive life in His kingdom.

Amen.

Age Mutters

Commissioned by co-70th birthday celebrant-classmates, we parodized "I am 16 going on 17":

We are 69, going on 70
Baby, it is no joke
Better beware, be careful when walking
Sometimes we're on the brink!
We are 69, going on 70
Widowers fall in line
To eager DIs and lonely old priests, we offer food & wine.
Totally prepared are we
To face them all, you see
Confident & cool are we
Of been there & done that!
We need someone younger & stronger, propping us up to stand
You are 79, going on 80
We can't depend on you!

Whoreders

An EWTN Holy Mass homilist once read that storage places now outnumber McDonald's outlets.

Blame it to the really oldest profession of greed. Caing ng caing.

Forrest Gump

HITS Movies had this Sunday treat- another Tom Hanks good guy character. Here, he transferred his learned escape of running away from bullies to the football field and secured a college scholarship in the end.

Successful self- mediation.

Born This Way

Lady Gaga could have paraphrased the Bible thus: For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it. (Matthew 19: 12)

Fyi, marital mediators.

Not Fear but Faith

Today's Our Daily Bread reflection is on the trepidation experienced by the Israelites during the exodus. What was on the other side of the desert? Milk and honey or enemies galore.

Mediation is like that, when perhaps it could not get any worse so better to work things out.

Hollywood Homicide

Two cops double as a real estate broker and a yoga instructor- actor apprentice respectively.

Mediators have regular day jobs too so they can volunteer in court on the side.

Living Right

EWTN's Dr. Ray counsels couples. He longs for the day an individual walks into his office, admits s/he is difficult to live with and introduces partner to thresh out how to improve the relationship.

Blame game over.

Family Ties

Another oldie but goodie HITS sitcom had Mallory visiting a shoplifter from the shop where she works. The troubled teen lived in a home for abused children.

Mediation requires understanding where people are coming for.

Three's Company

An episode had Jack being told by a hold-upper in the flower shop to hand in the green stuff and he put ferns and leaves into a bag.

Clarity is likewise required in compromise agreement.

Grey Area

In an episode of Grey's Anatomy, a woman had her dying wish to have a wedding under the stars. The doctors dimmed her ICU room and turned on their mobile phones' photos of stars.

Heart-breaking but doably creative mediation.

Psalm 80

It reflects on seeking the face of God in times of conflict.

Disputants would be content with seeing a smile on each other's face.

Royal Mediation

The Buckingham Palace balcony set-up on the palace grounds is a compromise for visitors. Even royals want to earn a penny for our selfie.

Going in Circles

HITS rerun of The New Lucy Show depicted how firefighters give directions when catching a victim falling from a building. The captain shouts "Ho" while pointing her head to the direction desired.

Mediators get into circuitous situations too and are tasked to lead disputants to a win-win compromise agreement.

Servant Leader

This is Our Daily Bread's reflection for today.

Mediators, take heed. 

Revolving Door

That's the way of hospital nurses who go and return often after a stint abroad.

See those in relationships too.

Grace with salt

" Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone" Collosians 4: 2-6

This would lessen the load of mediators.

Big Miracle

FOX Movies feature was on US and Russia cooperating to save stranded whales Fred, Wilma and Bamm Bamm in Barrow, Alaska.

A whale of a difference!

Caught

In rerun of "Catch me if you can," FBI man makes a forgerer their counterfeit checker, started during the con's incarceration.

That's successful mediation.

Speechless

This enlightened sitcom has a mute young man who is also bound to a wheelchair with a computer through which he communicates. One line of advice: instead of imbecile, say interesting.

Avoids need for mediation.

Mother Angelica

She said she couldn't have been a nurse because she would have killed the doctor if he were not compassionate.

Nun sense

Southern Wisdom

HITS Movies' Steel Magnolias had this quote from the father of the bride: An ounce of pretension is worth a pound of manure.

Led to a lot of mediation too.

Dying Wish

"Australian ambulance grants dying patient's last wish to go to the beach on her way to the hospital. Inspired, Queensland dedicated a decommissioned ambulance to granting dying wishes of terminally ill patients such as visiting their pets, their children, their grandchildren or visiting an art gallery or museum."-AFP

Corporal work of mercy to the max!

Bookend Saints

In an EWTN discussion on the mother of the apostles James and John's request to Jesus that they sit on his right and left, it was ironically fulfilled by James being the first to be martyred and John the last to die.

Be careful what you wish for.

Royal Signals

Queen Elizabeth does not wink to the press around the visiting Trump like Camilla. Her ways to indicate wishing to end the conversation are shifting her handbag to the other arm, putting it on top of the table or twisting her wedding band.

Discretion prevents mediation.

Fergie's 3 Cs

Sarah Ferguson says she is not getting back together with her ex Prince Andrew.
But they are bigger friends now with communication, com-promise and  com-passion. Dashes ours.

Divorce is a great way to renew a friendship.

Mediating Media

When asked to comment on Princess Diana's popularity, Queen Elizabeth remarked, "You were not around when Margaret and I had husbands talent-scouted for us."

Tinge of green?

Fringe Benefit

This makes you cringe. In a discussion over Catholic cable network EWTN on its film UNPLANNED, a worker in a Planned Parenthood center revealed that they could avail of free abortion upon need.

Community

Our Daily Bread reflection defines it as "the place where the person you least want to live with always lives." Henri Nouwen

Enter mediation.

Divine Mediator & Equalizer

"For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, "Do not fear; I will help you." Isaiah 41:13

Every victim's prayer

Informed Racist

He is a better racist, says a Pakistani comic on Saturday Night Live. He reasons that the Muslim ban on women drivers couldn't have come from the Koran of ages ago.

Mediation checks on assertions.

Reinventing self

In "A League of Their Own," a women's baseball team members were milkmaids, an illiterate, a plain-looker with a sultry singing voice, etc. coached by a recovering alcoholic.

Mediation is also about second chances.

Man or Mouse

In "Little House on the Prairie," Dr. Baker was mocked by the townspeople for taking care of a wolf and her offspring. Are you a doctor or a vet, they asked. Sometimes, my patients confuse me, was his quick reply.

Psalm 93

"Your statutes stand firm..."

Mediation sees to that.

Price of Mediation

HITS Movies' feature Oliver saw this woman try to turn him over to his family and suffer death in the run.

Mediation is a safer way to resolve conflict.

Mini Me

Our Daily Bread reflects on the joy children bring to parents they imitate.

Such huge responsibility too!

Just a Face

In "Family Ties," an aunt consoles a niece always distracted in her studies by boys, "don't worry, soon they will be taken over by men."

Mediation to be effective addresses the problem, not its symptom.

Pro Action

Princess Diana was a real pro at countering media harassment. She wore the same Fly Atlantic sweatshirt daily to the gym so the press couldn't get a credibly new shot of her, at least for that activity.

Before that Paris accident, she was fairly successful fending for herself.

Houses for Hiroshima

Those are what American pacifist Schoe built after the devastation of World War II, as featured in an NHK docu.

Unilateral successful mediation!

Empty Chair

Our Daily Bread broaches the idea of praying as if God were seated on a chair before us. It is likewise a practice in psychology to resolve a past conflict by addressing in the same way a dead or absent person who has hurt us.

For disputants in the flesh, there is mediation.

Space

Sometimes that's all disputants need first before going to the mediation table.

The Devil's Footprint

"It's a foot-shaped impression in the granite on a hill beside a church in Ipswich, Massachusetts... when the evangelist George Whitefield preached so powerfully that the devil leaped from the church steeple, landing on the rock on his way out of town." (Our Daily Bread)

Realistically, he leaves so much conflict along the way.

Now That's Funny

Not really, as one episode showed various cats ruling the roost over dog housemates.

Mediators try to even the odds between unequal disputants.

A Joyful Heart

Our Daily Bread's advice deters conflict:

1. When we are happy for others

2. When we don't have time to inflict harm on others and

3. When we wish joy for others too.

Conflictrigger

Fights could arise when one questions another's action judgmentally. In a comedy skit, a neighbor asked why the other was hanging her washed clothes out in the rain. Her answer: she hadn't rinsed them yet!

Law of the Jungle

This show's South Korean actress faces a 5-year jail term in Thailand for harvesting its giant clams for an episode.

Meantime, China does the same to us scot-free.

It Happens

This was from Forrest Gump we read, editing out the "sh."

IBato sa Bagong Senador!

Going First

Our Daily Bread's reflection at a glance looked like Going Fist, as it often happens.

For that, mediation referees.

Mediating Marriage

After 8pm Holy Mass over EWTN, I go to the "Little House on the Prairie." Last night, Charles Ingalls' friend escapes home to gamble in town. Brought back by Charles after getting into a brawl, he begs his wife for forgiveness and asks her, "Why don't women marry the men they really want so they don't need to change them anymore?"

Mediation offers the change.

Help

Instead of donating to a T'boli constituent, Marga Nograles asked her to make beadwork on her jackets. This has led to Kaayo Modern Mindanao enterprise.

Mediators likewise use on disputants' resources toward the settlement of their conflict.

Special Treatment

Children with Down's Syndrome are now serving at Shakey's pizza parlors.

Thumbs up!

When Women Quarrel

Oh, for those really good old days, when an angel interceded between Sarah and Hagar in the Old Testament.

Mediators try to fit this heavenly role.

SONA

Activists now equate this to State of No Achievements.

Clarify terms in mediation.

Mediating Space

Visiting our family home, passed by the Sony Service Center now confined to its second floor. A fast food store is at ground.

Compromise in mediation is like this. Win-win!

Whatever helps

Another idea that doesn't suck. Socks with printed accupressure points on the soles.

Mediation has to be just as creative.

Prayer

Legal documents contain a prayer or pleading at times.

Definitely mediation could likewise start with one for disputants to compromise toward a win-win settlement.

Food for thought

Our Daily Bread reflects on the creative "days" of God Who saw them as good. We  note that the Bible further says "seed-bearing plant...and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food."

Vegans like to take this literally as well as compare our teeth to that of cud-chewing animals, not like the sharp fangs of carnivores.

Childspeak

Be careful what you utter in front of children. In Our Daily Bread, thank God the parent's word was "enormous."

Mediating childsplay is also kids' introduction to fairness.

Washing

Our Daily Bread reflects on Jesus' example of servant leadership.

Mediators facilitate washing of dirty linen in private.

Perspective

In one HITS' Family Ties episode, Mallory was failing in school. Her brother asked, "very badly?" "No, quite well," was her reply.

No room for misinterpretation in Compromise Agreements.

Pre-mediation

"Habakkuk's Complaint: Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails."

Time for mediation.

Too many mediators

They surely spoil the brewing controversy regarding the boat sinking with a group of 22 Pinoy fishermen.With questionable motives, the DU30 men have twisted the details "while the investigation is going on."

Trust only an impartial mediator with no hidden or obvious agenda.

Reason to Smile

Our Daily Bread says "words of encouragement matter." St. Paul further reminds the Thessalonians to "make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else."

Then, mediators can retire.

Rizal

As we celebrate our National Hero's birthday today, we recall his words that we were not yet ready then to take on Spain militarily. Sounds like DU30 now speaking about China this time.

Trumpet

Classica on cable traced this musical instrument as used originally for war in Krakow  to warn against the Huns!

Now it also means to boast of one's achievements.

Traffic

On the road of social media is managed by an administrator- to keep traitors away.

Bonifacio

The journey to our independence was fraught with betrayal. Bonifacio was set to discuss issues between the factions among the revolutionaries when he himself was ousted as Supremo and then charged with treason!

Dangerous time for mediators then.

Mediators' Mandate

Our Daily Bread features St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians: "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."

Amen!

Reel Life

Drama continued on the set after veteran actor Eddie Garcia accidentally tripped on a wire while filming. Life's camera rolled when men without shirts carried him to a cab for the hospital. The television station has a lot to answer.

Clouds

Our Daily Bread features these ever-passing caricatures from God. In Zen, we are to treat thoughts that distract us from meditation as just that- passing by so just let them do so.

In mediation, we burst them to conclusion.

Evidence

Between Chinese flags sold in Rizal Park and Batasan passing the Bill on Federalism, unlimited terms of elected officers and lifting the ban on political dynasties, there is nothing to celebrate this "Independence Day."

Mediation deals with facts, not claims.

Mediating Panic

Catholic Express featured the story of a priest in the Titanic. An English convert from Protestantism and Anglicanism, epileptic Fr. Thomas was one of three on board- the two were from Bavaria and Lithuania. He was bought a ticket by relatives as he was to officiate at a relative's wedding in Brooklyn, New York. On that faithful Sunday he said Holy Mass at steerage where there were many Irish. That evening, while praying on deck, he heard the alarm and went down below deck. He called out for silence before they all recited the Act of Contrition. Then he guided the women and children up to the lifeboats. He stayed behind with the rest who couldn't be accommodated, despite being offered a seat several times.

A model mediator till death!

Finding Waldo

Our Daily Bread mentions this book which has children searching for him hidden in each page.

In mediation, disputants reach a compromise through goodwill extended to each other.

A Reason to Sing

Not for whistleblowers, but real thing. Our Daily Bread reminds us to sing for physiological and psychological reasons plus especially in faith in God.

And in mediation.

Mediating Street Dogs

A documentary featured the survivor instinct of three puppies who were left to fend for themselves in the streets of Thailand.  When they lie on their back and expose their organs, they declare themselves as no threat to others.

Mediators are keen on similar signals from disputants.

Picking Battle

Mark Wahlberg grew up in a huge Catholic family in Rochester, Massachusetts. A brother recalls with their mother that they did not pay attention to gunshots at a nearby facility. There was enough noise between their parents, cat and dog, and among siblings. The positive result- Wahlburgers business!

Ecotherapy

Truly Mother Nature heals! That is the belief of Karla Delgado's Kai Farms in Silang, Cavite.

For human disputes, there is
mediation.

Truths Learned at Ateneo

In his Inquirer's Newsstand column, John Nery lists what he learned from the Ateneo:

1. We have the power of self- definition.
2. Our freedom must not be taken for granted.
3. The invader/oppressor described in our National Anthem can (be) a fellow Filipino.
4. We have the power to liberate ourselves.

Mediation is one way to do so.

Wink for Help

That's what Camilla Parker- Boyles seemed to have addressed to her security detail while having afternoon tea with the Trumps.

For the rest of people in conflict, there is mediation.

Someone to Trust

Our Daily Bread reflects on people who have been betrayed and lost all trust in humanity. There is, of course God Who does not let us down.

In a way, mediators are His instruments before disputants.

Faith and Sight

Fr. Jerry Orbos compares them thus: "Faith is more powerful than sight because our sight can describe our situation, but faith can move and direct us to our destination."

It's like focusing more on what can be done rather than what has transfired before mediation.

Prevention

Saint Peter listed the qualities that could get us away from needing mediation- "add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love."

Explains the need for mediation.

The Beauty of Brokenness

Sometimes you have to dig deepest to find it in mediation because more often, it isn't a pretty sight. Nor quiet.

Expect and Extend Mercy

Our Daily Bread reflected that when we judge others self-righteously, it is not Christian and more often than not leads to trouble, if not gossip.

Cyber-bullying, its most recent form has been criminalized.

Hair Today

Rob Lowe's comment on the diminishing hair of Prince William traces the start of conflict.

Mediation had dealt with some trivial matter that has been blown out of proportion.

Rough Waters

Joe Stowell recalls a whitewater rafting experience.  "The guide in the back of the raft had navigated us through."

That describes mediation.

Dysfunction

Our Daily Bread dealt with it in describing humanity as "broken, not working properly, unable to do what it was designed to do."

Mediation solves the mundane ones.

Proof of Life

The PMA graduation became a veritable outing of DU30 after the elections. But now his changing specimen signatures on documents he was reportedly busy with prove alarming too.

Mediation and even banks are against this.

Biggest Loser

The opposition got Rappler's vote for honor in defeat.

Wish they were in mediation which aims for a win-win settlement.

And the Fakery keeps baking lies

Now the move is against VP Leni and Trillanes. Could Bongbong be the interested faker?

Fakery and Drugs Administration highly active.

Proverbs

Our Daily Bread reminds us that "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (Proverbs 15:1)

One of mediation's ground rules- no cursing, no shouting...

Balancing Act

CinemaEurope featured this down-and-out separated husband who rented a room then landed up sleeping in his car. His friend advised just going back to a couch at home, saying "Divorce is just for rich people."

Mediation can help out.

Center for Neuroscience Integration

Or something to that effect did not catch fully on CNN Vital Signs. Simply put, they are now using computer games to battle dementia.

Just like mediation of aging.

Back to the Future

Now there is a move to return to manual counting of votes. They figured it's easier to cheat via computers.

Mediation would deal with the cheating root cause.

Better Late Than Never

In Morocco, the four oldies visit a market place or souk where a supposed dentist sells teeth for pendants!

Mediation comes across weirder arrangements.

Circus

Not the Comelec but this episode in Little House on the Prairie about one man's claim of a cure-all drug which was actually sugar and baking soda in some effervesecent water.

No secret to mediation's cure for conflict but good old sincere goodwill of the disputants.

Trash Talk

From our messy election to Canada garbage talk. DFA finally got its voice to recall envoys from that country. If only it is as tough in dealing with China's treatment of our real live fishermen, corrals and clams.

If one clams up, mediation can persuade opening up.

Come elect

Who mediates between the Election Mediator Comelec and the electorate?

The Election Tribunal has to be perceived as neutral. We pray it is!

Connect the Dots

Now it appears DU30 crony Dennis Uy owns the company connected with the election's computerization.

In mediation, conflict of interest is a no-no, starting with the mediator especially.

Bought Wisely

That is the battlecry post-election. It could also be the reason for lower incidence of violence.

DU30 is no mediator when he excuses vote-buying as a tradition in Philippine politics!

Election.Results

Will it be Taumbayan or Taubayan?

Like in mediation, disputants should win-win.

Sex Coaching

Now comes this AFP news from Russia with lust. The 1991 USSR collapse also included its sexual revolution of sorts.

No taboo topic in mediation

Triple Taxation

Teachers assigned to polling places on Monday are being taxed literally and figuratively- physical exhaustion; tax on their honor-arium; "buwis buhay" threat to life.

Really subject to mediation.

The Cool Kids

Latest successor of the sitcoms Golden Girls and Better Late Than Never, their tagline reads: They're growing old, not growing up.

Meet them in mediation, too.

Royal Name

Prince Harry and Meghan mediated on their first-born's name. First name Archie is not from the cartoon character but Princess Di's ancestor Archibald. Harrison is not from Beatle George but to mean Harry's son. Mountbatten is for Prince Philip's family, as Windsor is Queen Elizabeth's.

Wounded Healers

Fr. Tito Caluag had a truly touching reflection in last Sunday Inquirer's column: "It is the experience of the healing grace of God in our life- that wounded broken part of our life- that inspires us for a lifetime to share this grace with others.

A veteran of strife could be an insightful mediator.

Triple V

It stands for partners Vicvic, Valentin and Violeta. Former employees of the  late Vicvic recall his teaching them to be "maagap." This could be loosely translated to being proactive.

For those who didn't "nip problems in the bud," there is mediation.

Plurality

The single-mindedness of fanatical Dutertards is amazing. In the caco-phoney, Randy David says that the majority who did not vote for him plus the families of all his victims living and dead could give another upset to this thug.

Failure of Unclogging

Not the drain but the court dockets. Former CJ Panganiban in his Sunday Inquirer column credits Senior Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio for setting and following a plan of deciding 1000 cases per year.

Mediation helps by reducing the number of cases being brought to pretrial at the lowest court level.

One's Honor to Avoid Strife

Can't recall now where this meaningful phrase was read.

Mediators help settle them.

The Truth

Senator de Lima is a voice crying in Crame's Custodial Center. Why is the government in hot pursuit of Bikoy cohorts? Nothing irks it more than the truth. VP Leni proposes treating them as whistleblowers instead. Ex- Solgen Pilo Hilbay clarifies that sedition is against the government not a family and its f(r)iends.

The Opposition might still win, especially since election day falls on the feastday of Our Lady of Fatima. EDSA to the nth Power!

The Gift of Giving

Aside from material things, a Compromise Agreement gives peace of mind to disputants. Such is the reward of mediators as well. As Our Daily Bread says, "whoever refreshes others will be refreshed."

Psalms for the West Philippine Sea

Ma. Ceres Doyo's Human Face column sought inspiration from the Bible's Old Testament on our predicament with Chinese intrusion. She "conjures up a Via Dolorosa dotting the howling West Philippine Sea, and on a craggy hill a lighthouse ablaze against the darkening sky."

Mediation is like that lighthouse, as China does not recognize the unilateral arbitration.

Avengers: End Game

This 3-hour film is being shown for 24 hours in cinemas.

If only our courts would function likewise, perhaps their dockets would not be so clogged. Meantime, there's mediation to help out about those mean times.

Fr. Rocky Evangelista

With a childhood much like his name, Fr. Rocky was likewise saved by the Salesians of Don Dosco. In turn, he has transformed street children into productive individuals. Three things he asks them beforehand:
1. Do you accept you are poor?
2. Do you want to do something about it?
3. Are you willing to obey the rules?

Mediators could ask the same of disputants.

Ice Hockey

The Philippines surprisingly lorded over this game in a recent Asean tournament.

You never know the capacity of disputants for goodwill unless nurtured in mediation.

France's vermin

This was the reference to gypsies in a CinemaEurope film about the time of Hitler's Jews. They have survived and as far back as 1997, gypsies hovered over the Notre Dame area.

Such language and bias have no place in mediation.

Half and Half

A well-meaning Kiwanian colleague brought us some Ginseng Coffee which really tastes like soil! Started giving them away with the advice to add a lot of cream and (brown) sugar. Till i followed my own advice and mixed one-half part of it with one-half part of a 3-in-1 coffee sachet.

Successful coffee mediation!

Sweet Tooth, Green Thumb

Title of Gene Gonzalez' article got us to thinking. We now have bluetooth and eyes can also be green with envy.

As mediation deals with, at times.

Theory of Everything

It chronicles the remarkable battle of Stephen Hawkings against all odds, when "there's next to nothing but the brain that works."

Puts disputants to shame.

He's Not Just That Into You

Alibi 2 in this funny take on relationships in Africa: "Maybe he forgot the number of your hut or was eaten by a lion!"

Ex-cuses abound in mediation.

Full Moon

It may not cause luna-cy but "repression of the moon's gravitational influence brings about social tension, disharmony and bizarre results," says a recent study. Florida police records, for instance, show an increasing number of assaults and murder cases around the Full Moon.

Not a very credible alibi in mediation, though.

Color Blind

Still on our Sight Series, an Inquirer Young Blood contributor Niza Mae Canedo recalls the travails of a childhood steeped in being "morena." Hence, she vows to raise children blind to color.

And to status, finances, etc. mediators remain neutral as well.

Blind Leading the Blind

"Little House on the Prairie" literally showed this when eldest daughter Mary lost her eyesight from scarlet fever complications. Her blind teacher taught her to sharpen her hearing of where voices and other sounds were coming from.  She learned to write guided by a ruler. And touched the face of her teacher turned fiance with whom she ultimately established another school for the blind.

Most mediations end successfully too.

Music Therapy

CNNPH featured a new intervention started by St. Paul Manila. The blind can hear so they are taught by a song, "Paano ba isuot ang T-shirt na ito?"

Mediators are also tasked to mine more than only the material resources of disputants toward a Compromise Agreement.

Rewind Networks Production

They are the source of all the HITS reruns of sitcoms.

Also the cause of most conflicts in mediation, clogged like the court dockets. So during the sessions, focus is more on what can be done and not on what has transpired.

Kaliwa Dam

GMA News TV last night featured an advocate friend, Fr. Pete Montallana regarding this controversial dam. As head of the Save Sierra Madre Network Alliance, he says we need more trees not dams in order to have more water to be taken from Quezon Province to Quezon City, as this dam aims to do. GMA's Sandra Aguinaldo was also not able to secure the proposed plan of the dam which has an earmarked cost already and pending loan to China.

Kaliwaan, damn!

Pro-action

Our Daily Bread's reading today will make mediators jobless. John the Baptist admonishes people to share with others.

If that happens, they would not take advantage of each other, of course.

Telemedicare

With DOH hardly able to take care of all our citizens, telemedicare in far-flung areas with tourists to boot is truly a godsent development.

Such creative solutions is much like mediation.

Clouds

Someone compared them to people. When they disappear, it's a beautiful day.

Mediation takes care of "cloudy" persons.

Empowering PWDs

CNN PH featured a visually-challenged De La Salle University professor.

Like mediators empower disputants especially those on unequal level.

In salt

Aside from adding to the injury and pain, "insults are the arguments employed by those who are in the wrong," according to Rousseau. As a fallacy, they fall under Ad Hominem.

Mediators cut these short when employed by disputants.

Venezuelan EJKs

PH does not export only labor. Crime as well.

Not exactly national pride, both.

Outrageous Intrusion

That is how our Senators describe their US counterparts' motion for the release of Senator de Lima and Rappler's Maria Ressa from trumped up charges. Not a peep from them though about China's maritime occupation of parts of the West Philippine Sea.

Mediation sees the good and bad in disputants.

The Right Way to Argue

This is a trend now that is getting popular, reports CNN.

Mediation shows the way to do it.

Make Create Innovate

CNN featured the development of communication from telegram to hologram.

In conflict resolution, it has gone from the court to mediation.

Music and Lyrics

Sunday treat from HBO about a has-been rock star who claims he is a happy has-been.

For unhappy ones, there is mediation to resolve conflicts.

A Summer Tale

CinemaEurope's Swedish offering had an illiterate old man who ran a funeral parlor. One of his wards observed that this was the best arrangement so no one could disagree with him.

Otherwise, there is mediation.

Little House on the Prairie

Another HITS rerun had Charles Ingalls siding with the "heathen" Indians over his Christian neighbors. When chased away by the whites, Charles exchanged his wagon carrying the ailing Indian chief for another man's wagon to escape the posse.

Creative mediation!

Who's the Boss

HITS feature had housekeeper Tony asking his young ward how he wants his eggs. Reply- in its shell! Asked for an alternative, Tony retorts, hunger!!!

Mediators have to be up on their toes with smart-alecky disputants.

Colossians

They were admonished by Paul: "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace."

Could start a mediation session.

Daniel

Our Daily Bread reminds us that even while Daniel fretted for 21 days about a war, he was already answered by God on the first day he prayed.

Mediation is like that, compared to the often long drawn court case.

Make, Create, Innovate

CNN features the latest in modern inventions. One particular solution to deer accidents on highways was particularly simple and doable- neon-spray painting their horns!

Mediation follows suit and avoids one.

Invite

That is the millennial's shorter term for a request for one's voluntary presence and participation. Much like our Lord's call to
us, Our Daily Bread reflects.

So to the disputants, except in court-annexed mediation wherein it forms a preliminary process before pretrial can commence.

Breaking the Magician's Code

Magic tricks unmasked step-by-step!

Nonesuch in mediation. Pure realistic work of disputants.

Same Kind of Different as Me

HBO feautured a white couple who gave a black man a second chance at life, just like "God's recycling business of turning trash to treasure."

Much like mediation.

Seeing Yellow

There is a recent order that states that in DU30 visits in government institutions at least, no one should be wearing yellow.

Someone ought to mediate fanatism.

Journal of Political Risk

They advised PH to flood all possible platforms and institutions with cases against China. Forum- shopping, in legalese.

Disputants will just have to go to mediation.

The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann

This riveting Netflix feature followed the loss of this British child in 2007 while on vacation in Portugal. A decade later, a digitalized photo of how she would look then was released to her parents in a heart- wrenching moment. Her updated photo was more useful in the continuing search for Madeleine.

Mediation also looks for creative ways to resolve conflict.

As Good As It Gets

Seen again in Netflix, it could actually be titled As Good As He Gets- how an OC grouchy old writer gets to take care of his regular waitress at the diner, and his gay artist neighbor.

Mediation likewise gives disputants the opportunity to be their better, not bitter selves.

A Toast

"Grace and Frank" on Netflix is a Sunday treat. At Frankie's son's wedding, his AA brother proposed a toast on the literal one.

That's like a creative Compromise Agreement.

Peace and Quiet

Our Daily Bread featured an infant's fussing when in the arms of her mother's friend.

Like disputants choosing the mediator they are comfortable with.

Hilmarc

Your word. The company implicated during the Senate hearing on the anomalous construction of the Makati City Hall is now building the new Senate Building. Such twist of fate!

No such surprises in mediation.

Spent Rifle

It can still be put to use, as shown by the New Zealand hero who used it to smash the getaway car window of its terrorist owner. They were caught soon after precisely because of that damaged window.

This is like the lessons learned from conflicts in mediation.

Apple

It used to just keep the doctor away. Now, its watch can detect irregular heartbeat.

Mediation is likewise a sign of progress in the judicial system.

Happy Days

The Fonz, Henry Winkler didn't have them in school.  He had dyxslexia. At home, his short German parents did not want him to be an actor, but instead sell wood. "The only wood I was interested in was Hollywood," he recalled. Along the way, he earned a Master of Fine Arts from the Yale School of Drama despite "not reading off a page to this day."

Happy self-mediation!

Mediator Rizal

"Toolfo" calling Filipinos indolent compared to the Chinese alertness in taking local jobs, seems to have read just the title of Rizal's work. In his Looking Back column, Ambeth Ocampo traces this trait to our Spanish history and even the climate. We were not born this way, too, as ironically, Chinese historians cited our industry and honesty.

No quick fixes and hasty generalizations in mediation.

Spilling Through My Fingers

Yesterday's Our Daily Bread spoke of the futility of recovering spilled water.

Mediation is a better option.

She's Baaack

To her old tricks, the Speaker of the House is again involved in funds-padding the National Budget.

Bad shot moves of disputants after the Compromise Agreement are safeguarded.

Right

Going over files of nurses in the hospital where we do volunteer HR administration, chanced upon a checklist evaluation for nurses, among them: Right drug, right dose, right person, right frequency... Right on!

The Compromise Agreement is also along the same pattern.

Mayday

Always liked this show before that detailed the history of expressions. This particular one was traced in Our Daily Bread. It was created by Frederick Stanley Mockford in 1923 when he was senior radio officer in London's Croydon Airport. Then it had many flights to and from Le Bourget Airport in Paris. The SOS call came from the French "m'aidez" meaning "help me."

Mediation in a way is an SOS out of court. It also clears all barriers in communication.

American Idol

Usually follow The Voice and its host Adam Levine but a lucky surf to AI gave a front row view of a truly blind audition! Singing Rise Up, she drove Lionel Richie to tears. Hope she felt that.

Mediation is blind-sided in that it takes no side.

Last Man Standing

Caught another episode of this comedy show with Tim Allen. In his commentary at the end, he mused how the term "nuclear family" is so apt, with megatons erupting at times, especially with a mother lode around. She can push buttons she has sewn herself!

Credentials

Candidate Imee's cv says she graduated here, there, everywhere, complete with rites at the state- confiscated Meralco Theater of the Lopezes originally.

UP and Princeton are to be believed against the Princess ton of claims.

Honesty

Credentials of senatorial candidates have been a hot topic this midterm election. Those whose hands were caught in the cookie jar scoff at this criterion as irrelevant. Incredible!

Mediation sticks by the best policy.

Fantastic Tales

You hear them at the start of mediation, each disputant blaming the other. Like Aaron in Exodus when he told Moses, "Then they gave me the gold, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf" !

Attitude

GMA News Tv's morning show has this parting shot- "tawanan ang problema, wag tambayan."

Mediation is not exactly to laugh about but to get over conflict.

Buddha

He said: "If you like a flower, you pluck it. If you love a flower, you water it."

A lot of likers in mediation.

Sirach

Not so crazy are his words: "Keeping the law is worth many offerings. Being faithful to the commandments is like a peace offering."

Otherwise, mediation will make disputants do so.

Dirt

You flick, was someone's graphically blunt remark on people bug-ging us.

We say it nicely in mediation.

Finishing the Other's Sentence

Our Daily Bread speaks of loving couples thus, comfortable as "the old shoe."

In mediation, it's usually preparing to rebut the other's sentence.

Blind leading the blind

That was the warning in this Sunday Mass reading.

Same goes to mediators, who have to shed light during the session.

Empathy

Our Daily Bread mentions Charles Schultz' eulogy by fellow cartoonist Cathy Guisewite as "the cartoonist...who encouraged us, commiserated with us, and made us feel he was exactly like us."

Unlike the cold atmosphere of a courtroom, a mediation table is approachable and accessible. Not peanuts.

Audit-orium

The first meeting of the newly appointed leaders of Bangsa Moro Autonomous Region was held in a cavernous hall. They occupied the first two rows. Not very conducive nor ergonomic to face-to-face interaction.

Mediation requires sincere dialogue between disputants.

Baklas

The name of Comelec's drive to remove illegal campaign posters also means homosexuals, perhaps alluding that the election agency should be neutral.

Like mediation

Invisible

Our Daily Bread featured Plato's question: "If people didn't have to worry about being caught and punished, would they resist doing wrong?" That requires integrity.

Otherwise, there is mediation.

The Road to be traveled

The past cannot be changed.
The future is yet in your power.- Anonymous

The mediation mantra to disputants

Public Lives

Randy David's column in the Sunday Inquirer is a must read.  Yesterday, he asked "Whatever happened to the Edsa regime?" He ends with "So prone are we to moral panic that we easily give up the right to think for ourselves."

Mediation to the rescue.

Message from Noah

Centineo, i.e., for Bench:

"Are you lonely because you miss me
                             or
 Do you miss me because you're lonely?

The chicken-and-egg of relationship

Chinese Evening

Invited to the anniversary dinner of the Chinese Restaurant Association, the only thing we understood in the program were the National Anthem, the message of the former Governor of Catanduanes, and the raffle numbers. Of course, the lauriat too.

Look for common grounds to agree on in mediation.

Obstetrical Mediation

Now even childless couples can get help from surrogates.  Latest is Mar & Korina.

Everything can be facilitated it seems.

Mystified

This Iflix feature entailed the empowered group of 4 women actors to line-produce a sequel to their fantasy series.

Financial mediation!

Evolution

Our Daily Bread traced the pinata to 16th century monks in Mexico. They devised a star with 7 points to represent the 7 deadly sins. Beating the original pinata depicted the struggle against evil. The tokens that fell were to remind the converts of the rewards of faith.

Should have a sinata before mediation begins.

Mediating IIliteracy

Ronald McDonald's House Charities ReadtoLearn program conducted the posttest on an Aeta School up a hill in Subic. Teachers listed the learners' issues as absenteeism when they tag along with parents earning a living and more significantly, parents' illiteracy that does no value education nor can help their children with homework.

Adult literacy program could follow suit.

Mediating Voters

Townhall discussions among senatorial candidates are all over the networks.

At the end, the voter decides. 

Seeing to tomorrow

Our Daily Bread refers to this aeronautical term that refers to a cloudless blue sky.

Mediation aims for that, too, ensuring compliance to the Compromise Agreement.

Fake News

It's becoming so bad even the Pope has spoken against it. Says he who gets his news from a voice in the sky and a burning bush! (Saturday Night Live)

That's effort and hard to replicate.

Little House on the Prairie

Another HITS feature had an episode about  daughter Mary whose boyfriend was offered a full college scholarship out-of-town. And farm, so his father balked at the idea, of course aside from Mary. In the end, she let him go and follow his dream.

Successful mediation.

State of Liberty

When Jinggoy raised JV's hand holding a mike, they looked like a Twin Statue of Liberty.

Alas, the half-siblings reconciliation lasted only those several seconds.

That 70's Show

In one episode, the son seeks guidance from his father regarding relationships. Giving a safe advice, he retorts, "Why do you think I keep on answering your mother with a grunt?"

No room for such equivocation in mediation.

Hypocrite's Oath

Fave HITS feature MASH had one episode on the ethics of surgery. A colonel with too many casualties among his men was operated on his healthy appendix by dovish Hawkeye to literally disable him from doing further harm. Don't some back home do it for money, Hawkeye retorts.

Mediation is surely not much income-generating an activity.

Suicide Bomber

S/he survived the blast and is in captivity, so says the recent news from Mindanao. And they haven't yet explained lawless violence clearly!

No such unexplainables in mediation's Compromise Agreement.

Some Things To Remember Me By

CinemaEurope Spanish feature dealt with a woman who managed a drama group for the blind but was unable to see through the her live with her son and father.

Mediation is the seeing eye of those blinded in life's conflicts.

No Fault

Our Daily Bread featured Clarence Earl Gideon who, from his prison cell in 1962, wrote the Supreme Court to review his case. It  was tried without a lawyer whom he couldn't afford. It turned out he was really innocent and that started the state providing a public defender whenever needed.

Mediation does not need legal representation too. The mediator is the advocate for both disputants.

The Good, the Bad, the Ugly

Our Daily Bread's heading is a familiar one. 

Mediation sees all these kinds and facilitates their Compromise Agreement.

Decluttering

Our Daily Bread referred to Marie Kondo as today's custom in finding joy in life amidst the accumulated clutter.

Mediation is the modern way of decluttering court dockets.

The Pope in UAE

Truly Franciscan in name and practice, the Pope visited the UAE the other day. Standing side by side in their attire, the two heads of state seemed to personify Isaac and Ishmael at present.

Mediation deals with deep-seated family issues.

Kung Mei Atsoy

So painfully apt greeting from activists this Chinese New Year!

Mediation empowers disputants who want to regain, not give up, their rights.

Years Old

Put together, those are the years sold by the pending bill lowering the age of criminal responsibility.

While our foolicy-makers are getting older, more corrupt and scotfree.

The Zookeeper's Wife

This HBO film featured Nazi inhumanity even to animals.

Mediation empowers the disadvantaged.

Power Puff Girl

After some crisis in the hospital, a doctor took over Administration. Now that Human Resources is back, the good doctor cannot seem to let go of her non-medical functions, despite the orders of the nun President of the hospital.

Might need some of her anesthesia on her for the surgery.

Token

China now explains that the structure they built on our territory at West Philippine Sea will assist our citizens in emergency there.

We are so taken.

Tree

Our Daily Bread had a good reflection on the role of the tree from Eden to Calvary.

They bear fruit but could also figure in a conflict.

Suicide

Somebody please mediate between DU30's pronouncement of Sulu suicide bombing and the police's stand to the contrary.

Sue side is contra mediation side.

Family

My daughter found a photo of the brother of one of the country's heroes/heels with our family name too.

While we cannot chose our kin, we can opt to deal with them in peace and compromise.

Regret

It is an appalling waste of energy; you can't build on it; it's only good for wallowing in. (Katherine Mansfield )

Better go to mediation.

Preparation

In an Inquirer Entertainment article, Helen Gamboa admits "being an actress helps (her) be a good cook" in her Colours show, From Helen's Kitchen.

Experience in Human Resources and  Counseling is good background for mediators.

Trump Blinks

He now moves for a temporary opening of government agencies recently shutdown for the longest time in American history.

That is a compromise hopefully leading to a permanent resolution of his conflict with Congress.

Which House Rules

Interesting conflict in US between Trump in the White House and House Speaker Pelosi. One point for Pelosi as she refuses Trump's State of the Union Address in her House.

Meantime, migrants await their fate at the gate.

Not for the Vain

This could be a warning in mediation- both for mediator and disputants, who can choose the mediator they want as well as change him/her along the way.  Elderly disputants scoff at mediators younger than them. Mediation, aside perhaps from acting roles for older characters, welcomes gray hair and wrinkles.

Lack Nothing

Our Daily Bread today recalls Jesus' marching orders to His apostles: "Take nothing for the journey except a staff." They were to depend on divine providence and the goodwill of the people they meet.

Much like mediation.

Empowerment

In a meeting at the charity hospital, doctors decried having to refer patients to other hospitals, diagnostic centers and pharmacies due to a lack in their hospital. They expressed willingness to help out financially to continue serving the marginalized.

It was decided that they form a Management Committee to meet with the President on their Action Plan for 2019.

Divine Intervention

We need reinforcement from up above, ever since the Garden of Eden.

He is the Divine Mediator.

Breath of Life

Our Daily Bread's reflection today touched on God's infusion of life into Adam.

Much life mediators empowering disputants toward their Compromise Agreement.

Human Resources

Am back in HR (which could also stand for Human Rights in the workplace) as Consultant in a hospital next door.

Mediating between management and labor, laborer vs laborer and manager vs manager are some concerns.

Julia's Bench

After her daughter's suicide, Sharmaine Buencamino put up this initiative in schools and other institutions for the lonely to invite friends.

Mediation is another such judicial bench. 

World Gamefowl Expo

This huge billboard made me reflect.

Mediation exposes foul game in the world.

Traffic

Not of cars but human beings. CNN's Biz Traveller had airline personnel profile their behavior on board. Restricted movement has the victim followed to the restroom and back. If flight attendant asks questions, the victim does not speak while the trafficker answers agitatedly.

Body language is also telling during mediation.

Muhammad Ali

He empowered a cancer patient young boy in Pennsylvania thus: I'll beat George Foreman and you'll beat cancer!" But the boy knew his body best and replied, "No, I'll tell God I know Muhammad Ali" to get a better seat in heaven.

Disputants know what works for them in the Compromise Agreement.

Three's Company

Twas HITS' Sunday treat. In this episode, Jack and their landlord were advised to seek empowerment. They were taught to:
B- e like somebody.
A- ct like sonebody.
R- eact like somebody.
K- onnect like somebody.
They were fairly successful till Janet told them to "Sit!"

Mediation empowers disputants by sitting them together and facilitating negotiation.

Bringing out our Good

In this article of Cielito Habito in his column "No Free Lunch" in the Inquirer, he quoted his Chinese son-in-law. "Discipline can be instilled through training, but respect and kindness are ingrained." He was referring to Pinoys.

These traits are what mediation tries to bring out in disputants.

Defenders of Riga

Cinema Europe has a good selection of historical films. This one on Latvia depicted its struggle against Russia and Germany, much like the devil and the blue sea.

The United Nations is the global mediator.

What's In A Name

Fe Campanero is in-charge of the Balangiga bells.

Just like the solution to their conflict lies in the hands of the disputants.

Church heel

After all the slings and arrows thrown by DU30 on the Church, their recently released Pastoral Letter answers them point by Biblical point. While churchmen have their grievous faults, so does DU30.

Mediation sees that both disputants have their points as well as faults. A compromise agreement rights the wrongs.

About a Boy

A single guy pretending to have a son intruded the meetings of Single Parents Alone Together (SPAT) in hot pursuit of one of its members.

No such ruse in mediation.

Four Christmasses

Not over 4 years but with 4 parents of a couple. One father said it best when he remarked, "You can't spell families without lies."

Not in mediation.

Darkest Hour

This is Churchill's biopic as British Prime Minister during World War ll. He also referred to meeting the King weekly then as having a tooth pulled everytime.

Mediation, on the other hand is "Easing the Pains of Conflict," as the book of Atty. Grace Plazo is called.

The Wonder Years

This series is about two sons who are just poles apart. The elder Wayne is irresponsible while Kevin is introspective. Once, while their parents were away, Kevin is pressured by his gang to host a poker game which morphed into a wild party. When Wayne comes back from his gallivanting, Kevin is busy cleaning up. Their parents arrive early, and Wayne owns up after being falsely accused by their parents. Kevin pays by cleaning Wayne's car.

Typecasting is not a mediation move.

HITS Back

No violence here but the return of the lovable Little House on the Prairie. At Christmastime, the family is creative in earning extra money for simple gifts.

Mediating neediness.

Push

Without being pushy, thus advised the concierge of Gstaad's Palace Hotel in a CNN interview.

Sounds like a mediator, too.

Making Lemonade

Handed a lemon of a flood, a young man made the most of so much water by wakeboarding in the streets.

Mediation makes the most of resources and especially the goodwill of disputants.

Empathy

A Thai mourning the death of his wife started comforting others with 4 creatures- a duck, toad, dog and bird, who had previously soothed his sorrow too.

Somehow, those who benefit from mediation are expected to spread the goodwill around.

Achievement

This is the most important value of today's millennials, as gathered by the Church in launching the Year of the Youth. It is equated from success in school or work  to likes on their posts. And they lack fallback mechanism as family is only value number 7.

Mediation can patch up these differences.