3D

This current fad in cinema-viewing was given an even newer twist by Nobel Prize -winning economist Paul Krugman at the recent Asian Financial Forum in Hong Kong. Optimistically, he predicted better times once the following are attended:

Deleveraging - global debt is cut;
Demography - negative population growth is reversed in Japan and Europe;
and Dogma    - change in thinking and focus from inflation to helping out countries in
                           crisis like Italy and Spain, as well as China's adjustment of its GDP(50%                            investment and 30% consumption) relative to slow growth.

In meditation, issues of finances, persons and their beliefs are likewise involved. We share Mr. Krugman's belief that there is a way of these conflicts.
               

Mediator Duterte

Presidential doesn't-wannabe Davao City Mayor  Duterte seems to doing something in his favor.  He was able to obtain the release from the New People's Army a jail warden of Compostela Valley. In exchange, he sought the investigation of said warden for illegal drug trade in the provincial jail, as alleged by the NPA.

Some mediator! While other presidential hopeless are sowing dissension, here is a likely candidate trying to attend to the interests of all- life, clean governance and peace. He has my vote on this matter.

Pope vs. Pacquiao

Fr. Tito Caluag defined "the difference between a momentary 'high' and a long-term effect" of Pacquiao and the Pope, respectfully. Crime is avoided during both their fight and arrival. But that's just about it. In fact, Pacman fights, while the Pope tries to mediate them. Pacman is second top absentee in Batasan, while the Pope reports for work even during typhoons. Commitment is their great divide.

This happens when we are "no longer controlled by external factors- what other people will say, image, advancement in unbridled desires and passions... We overcome a sense of victimhood and reconnect with the vision of our authentic self, the inherent goodness and meaning and mission that I believe is in all of us at birth- what Parker Palmer refers to as our "birthright gifts." That is likewise the great equalizer among people that mediation aims to bring out.

Women Pope and Jesuit

Ambeth Ocampo's "Looking Back" upped the ante on the Pope's liberating lifestyle by writing about a Vatican legend about a Pope Joan ca. 9th-11th century who was the original Yentl of cross-dressing females. Later in 1541, a wealthy widow Isabel Roser was a religious groupie of Ignatius Loyola. After papal intercession, Isabel, her lady-in-waiting, and another friend became Jesuitas. However, her nephews sued the Jesuits for their lost inheritance. Isabel ultimately entered a Franciscan convent in Jerusalem till her death.

Mediation has such fascinating storylines, too. Always, though, greed, self-absorption, and questionable motives rear their ugly heads.

Church Buhay vs. State Patay

The Supreme Court has settled the contentious issue of the Bacolod Diocese's tarpaulin featuring Teams Buhay-anti RH bill/ Patay-pro RH bill senatorial candidates on the wall of the cathedral. It upheld the diocese's rights of free speech, expression, as well as to property.  This balanced a previous ruling which declared the government's law promoting responsible parenthood, distributing contraceptives and spreading sex education in state institutions as "not unconstitutional."

Truly Solomonic wisdom! Such is also the aim of mediation, a prudent give-and-take based on reason and justice.

Rabbits Love It

The Pope's comment for parents not to be like rabbits was qualified thus. He actually said, "Some think that- excuse the language- that in order to be good Catholics, we have to be like rabbits. No." That is clear.

Disputes often arise from such quotes taken out of context, received by sensitive or is it guilty? persons or groups. Thank God, Pope Francis was not made persona non grata, the usual Pinoy reaction to such socio-cultural hurts. After all, he is the vicar of Christ!

Yung Lady Luck

Thai's woman leader Yingluck is out of luck. She has been impeached.

That is how the ball bounces. If you enter politics and after your brother, at that, be prepared for the worst if you do not do your best.  No mediation applicable at this point.

Boy Bawang

No, this is not about corniks and other tv/movie snacks. Rather, we focus on the Secretary of Agriculture's name being dragged into the case of smuggling, especially of garlic that caused its prices to soar and be prohibitive.  Only Dracula was glad.

Mediators have to be discriminating about a person's reputation and the rumors to the contrary.  Huwag madala sa maling Alcala ko.  Agree?

Happy Orphan, Unhappy Children

Compare the bright, smiling and positive-thinking Baby in "Dream Dad," with the crying children of the "Two Wives." Take a clue from the titles of these teleseryes. The first is about a single, well-adjusted son of loving parents. The second, about two manipulative and lying women who laid with the same man. These wives make the woman who left Baby at the orphanage look so good! She knew and faced her limitations, even if painful, and tried to compensate for them.

Mediation and later on, annulment cases deal with the children of couples in conflict as unfortunate collateral damage. No wonder the Pope has a soft spot for them!

Magical Thinking

Neal Cruz dealt with this topic last Christmas re the Santa Claus "nice lie" to children. Maybe the only time lying is not a grinch area.

Otherwise, lies are naughty, if not downright evil. No place in mediation, too.