FB Mediation

Social media by its very nature is bound to get people into conflict. Opinions and reactions fly fast and furious. Make that global and you increase the chances exponentially!

There have been a dose of level-headedness poured in good measure, too. Reminders like "Walk the talk" from Jim Paredes, and "What you resist, persists" from Dr. Castillo are virtual fire-fighting reminders.

Photobomb Mediation

Even while its case is still pending in court, there are already remedies being put forth on the Torre de Manila. Alternatives included reflecting glass panels, tall trees and an artistic facade to backdrop Rizal's monument.

Now that's voluntary goodwill needed in mediation problem-solving, not the blame game going on, too.

Hating Kapatid

This was first recorded in the Bible when Abraham and nephew Lot divided their Promised Land between themselves. Lot got the more fruitful, but unfortunately immoral Sodom.

Mediation over real estate became imperative later on, with the increase in population, motives, needs and wants.

Why should I be ashamed, I'm happy!

Thus exclaimed a female rocker on a 2nd Avenue cable ad, expressing thoughts and feelings on lesbianism. Thank goodness, she was no sadist or some other hideous person.

Happiness as a gauge of behavior could be a dangerous proposition, especially for those without a guided conscience. Sometimes, the happy driver is the one who got away from a chasing cop. And how many times have we seen sad victims in mediation. Shameful!

Red Hat Ladies

Cable sitcom "Rules of Engagement" had the last laugh when its resident lech landed with such elderly ladies on a cruise! His staff explained it thus, "Sometimes, bad things happen to bad people. "

Mediation is another equalizer.

A Rat Smells a Landmine

Rats now return the favor. An Inquirer news item from Cambodia related that the country imported rodents "from Africa, to sniff out" whatever unexploded devices still left on their terrain.

Even rats are given second chances at redemption by human ingenuity. Mediation works on the human level.

Mga Ilaw ng Tahanan

Perhaps 'mga munting ilaw ng tahanan.' "Teenage moms light up, empower Tondo slums," read an Inquirer banner on the young women's solar energy project, as transferred technolgy from India'a Ramon Magsaysay awardee, Harish Hande.

Changing lives is likewise  a goal of mediation.

Toral of the Story

According to an Inquirer news item, the Father of the Cebu Dancing Inmates was once one of them. Into the family business after college, Marco Toral made a detour at 36 after being implicated in drug dealing. Even then, he distinguished himself by being the grandson of the donor of the lot where he was jailed.  And while serving sentence, he had a friend-owner of a furniture factory to subcontract the smoothing of rattan to them. They also busied themselves making candles.

It takes one to really know and understand one. Now consultant on jail matters, Toral is helped by his law student son in monitoring the cases of inmates. There are plans to build more room for them. Meantime, the dancers are also baking bread, and recycling materials into pen holders and artificial flowers. Rehabilitation is like mediating between prisoners and society.

A. Grande Thought

Make that Ariana. The pint-size star said a mouthful against women being regarded as possessions, usually referred to as an ex, current squeeze, or whatever.

Mediation often deals with the effects of this chattel mentality. No idle chatter.

Papal Mediation

Pope Francis' long-awaited encyclical on Climate Change is out. As expected, themes of stewardship and common good vs. common good were tackled.

Perhaps the Philippines could make him a resource person in its sea conflict with China.