You Don't Own Me

At the same time that "Etiquette for Mistresses" was showing, Kiko Machine ran a similar theme in the Comic Relief section of the Inquirer. It depicted friends already in the throes of possession- wanting to literally chain a loved one into a livid one! Then, when the thrill is gone, Etiquette demands the guilty party to pay up for the damage.

In the movie, friends, couturiers, and even the wife tried their hand at mediation. Believe it or not!

(Don't) LoveKnots

This is a comic strip in the Inquirer. Once, it dealt with an issue close to my pocket- pension. It seems its increase is being turned down by Senator Enrile due to non-affordability. Too many pensioners being added a year. The lolo retorts, aren't pensioners dying yearly, too? Those who cannot afford stem cell therapy like Enrile.

In mediation, we have to be wary of reasons put forth by disputants. We have to question if they cover the total picture or just half of it.

Oddvices

Hits also features Happy Days, indeed! Set in the 50's, the male teenager lead asks several persons on how best to deal with his ROTC troop as its commander. His father tells him to make his men happy, the school head suggests being strict, and his friend demonstrates how to just be cool. Unsuccessful after trying out each of the conflicting recommendations a day, the boy gives up his post!

That is the reason behind the ban on advices in mediation. Disputants are to decide how they will resolve their conflict, which will also ensure more chances of it being implemented by them.

Re-view

The Ombusman has called on the Department of Budget and Management to account for its past disbursements. Secretary Abad-man and assistant Relampagos might be made "lampasos."

The mediator is like an ombudsman when it comes to conflicts between individuals, families or groups.

Perchance

Our Gilas (Smart) team to the recent FIBA tournament in Changsha, China ended with their last game versus the host country's team. Of course, like in the West Philippine Sea, they were defeated.

Sometimes, conflict in one area affects another, much like a disease. Family relations, for instance.

Paying the Price

In the comic strip Baby Blues, the father was preparing his young son for the future when "you're going to be part of the problem, or part of the solution." The pragmatic son asks,"Which one pays better?"

We pay the price either way.

Relativity

In the movie "Transamerican Ride," one character remarked that "Beauty is relative; well, not mine." His family could not accept his sex change.

How like Bruce now Caitlyn Jenner! She has now turned mediator between other transgenders especially those in their teens, and their families and friends.

Still At D. Abbey

"Does it get cold in your high moral ground?" Now this is true Downton Abbey conversation between conflicting dowagers over their own community clinic. Mediation sometimes involves good-natured and intentioned individuals with different ways of going about it.

Catch

Hits cable has brought back Cheers to my life. In one episode, someone said, "He's such a catch," to which another retorted, "Oh yeah, so is a bass." There will always be different interpretations of words, more so if people are not on the same page.

Downturn Abbey

Missing Turner Classic Movies in my Cablelink server, I was happy that it featured "Downton Abbey" though. In its recent episode, a young widow of the 1920's had a most modern remark, "Better alone than with a wrong man!" Attitudes have not changed much, as mediation witnesses.