Henry

I write occasionally.

[henyonghenry]

Social Media for Solidarity.

Time and time again, social media has proved its utility to people. One of the products of having a tool that avails you the ability to be heard by the whole world is that someone most definitely will hear it.

Take a tropical South East Asian country as an example—the Philippines is constantly riddled with earthquakes (as it sits in the mouth of the Pacific ring of fire), typhoons (as an island nation surrounded by some of the largest bodies of water i.e. Pacific ocean), wind patterns which bring toxic materials suspended in the air from some of the most industrialized countries, and many more. As such, many people who become severely disaffected seek for their voice to be heard and be given assistance: and what economical yet effective way of doing that if not social media?

Case in point, when traditional media could not enter the areas struck by super typhoon Rolly (internationally known as Goni), many people who needed immediate rescuing and help sent out messages, posts, and called out to their relatives, community members, and the competent authorities. Seeing the destructive effects of the onslaught (during and after) of the super typhoon prompted many Filipinos to send aid, pack goods, contribute financially, help in the rescue efforts and many more. When the people tasked with delivering news and coverage are too busy mapping the whole picture, who will you trust with the little-r, minutest, cries for help?

That’s why I think that opening up more opportunities for people to exploit to their own advantage is one thing but that it must also be regulated properly and efficiently. Social media has its own uses, but let it not be a tool that sows discord among our brothers and sisters in the country.

[henyonghenry]

Hardships Make Success Worthwhile

   by Henry Jeal Matthew Densing

   If I had all the time in the world, I would apportion it so that I shall live a balanced life. However, I cannot say the same is true if I know that living in this wonderful world has to come to an end.

   Most people would ask to spend their last time with their family, or travel, or eat when informed of their remaining time on earth—i.e. doing something they love and enjoy.

   When I was at the age of seven I picked up my first badminton racket, and the first person I played against was none other than my dad. Soon afterwards, we played every day. I developed not only the skill and experience but also the interest that I now carry up to this very day although I still strive to step up my game.

   TLUCK—the sound a shuttlecock makes as it zooms past the air. It is an easy recognition, together with the distinct TSK the racket makes whilst hitting the ball. I was in grade six when I competed for the first time in a formal competition; district level, together with my partner. After a series of long rallies and hard-fought scores wherein everyone grappled to not let the nose of the ball hit the ground, we won.

   Stumbling down the ground is not an excuse nor should it be a reason to stay down and linger on a negative view of the world, rather, it should be taken as a feeling you wouldn’t ever want to be in—a motivation, to get back up and continue fighting a good fight.

   Junior high school, grade eight I joined the intramurals in our school. It was a fierce battle, non-stop back and forth hurtling of the shuttlecock whilst riding the air. In the end, I won first place, my opponent the championship. Grade nine I was displaced one step down, making me second place and my contender got the championship—the very same player who got the championship back in grade eight.

   Finally, I have reached the tenth grade—the last pigeonhole in junior high school, surely I shall win the championship this time eh? My rival is now a fully-fledged varsity who plays in the school, and for the school. I was an intellectual at the time, in a special class. I managed to climb up the matches to face my long-standing rival, in the championships, again.

   This time all the pressure was on.

   We were both bent over, sweating, with a quite large audience gathered around the court. The whistle has been blown and the shuttlecock has been hit. I barely even caught his shots however I have ascertained his strategy.

   The score was 8-12, him scoring the latter and it was my turn to serve. I served the shuttlecock just so it landed perfectly behind his back but within the court. I tried it several times and I was successful. I managed to get almost ten points on him making the scoreboard 18-16. He was hard-pressed on taking me down because I have discovered his weakness. Although I have exploited one of his play flaws, he still is hitting hard with his smashes. It was down to the last point that shall the dictate the winner. 20-21, again him scoring the latter. This last point shall dictate who the champion will be and it was my turn to serve.

   Due nervousness and a great epiphany struck me hard, I hit the ball uncontrolled and went out the court, he won.

   To this day, I take it the honor was mine to play with some great players although realizing I’ve been at a disadvantage.

   Heartily to this moment, I play to learn and I play to be better. Not solely for the fun nor the fame it brings, but because of the lesson it teaches; plus, it is good for the health if done properly.

   Simply put, there is something deep in everything we do and if we manage to extract the potential in each action, we can bring something truly good for the benefit of us and the people around us.

[henyonghenry]

Wake Up in The Philippines

   by Henry Jeal Matthew Densing

   Golden sunshine glimmering on the vast royal blue oceans set against a white sand beach with palm trees whilst listening to the gentle splash of the virgin seas in a remote location?

   How about an island within a lake on another island within another lake on another island?

   Or perhaps you like the mountains more? The hills? Plateaus? Valleys?

   The stylish design of modern malls, leisure establishments, restaurants, on a completely futuristic landscape?

   Or would you want to go further to the innermost hidden crown jewels of enchanted rivers, and picturesque waterfalls wherein you can enjoy social isolation and wilderness?

   Dream no more! This isn’t another cliché propaganda.

   #itsmorefuninthephilippines—where your fantasies become real and the reality turns to fantasy. A tropical archipelagic nation comprised of roughly 7,640 islands, situated along the western rim of the Pacific Ocean, at the heart of Southeast Asia.

   I have been lucky enough to travel a part of the entirety of the Philippines and never have I been displeased. I am talking from experience, and as such I present SOME notable Philippine landmarks: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Up north located are dozens of large wind energy harvesters that generate an impressive amount of 24.75MW of electricity for the Ilocos Norte power grid whilst providing a picturesque view.

Bangui Wind Farm, Ilocos Norte

Further south of the capital can be found, the famous Global City named after the founder of a revolutionary movement against the Spanish invaders--Bonifacio; Hence the name, Bonifacio Global City, often contracted to its initials, BGC.

Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

At the capital itself preserved are buildings with significant historical sentiment attached to it. 

University of Santo Tomas (UST): Oldest formal university ever established in Asia; and Intramuros [respectively]--a walled city, used by the Spaniards as defence against British invasion, similarly used by the Americans, against the Japanese; witness to many great historic ocassions. Intramuros was also conferred the “World’s Top Tourist Attraction” in 2020.

University of Santo Tomas and Intramuros, Manila

At the residential capital of the Philippines rises the majestic temple of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, together with its central office and establishments.

Central Temple, Quezon City

At the southeastern tail of the Luzon island stands tall a perfectly coned volcano:

Mayon Volcano, Albay 

On the center of the archipelagic nation lies a rapidly-blooming city, together with the island beaches surrounding it. The underground river in Puerto Princesa is also known as the: “Eight Wonder of the World.”

Cebu City, and Puerto Princesa, Palawan

If we are talking about white sand beaches and crystal clear blue waters, you would not want to forget about Boracay. World-famous tourist destination for its  thrilling water activities and great nightlife experiences.

Boracay Beach

Further down south to the second largest island in the Philippines can be found the virgin Camiguin islands:

Camiguin Island, Mindanao

   To sum it up, the Philippines is not just a country of diverse landscapes and picturesque sceneries... rather, what Filipinos value most are their culture and traditions. Garnering accolades and grand awards both international and regional, the Philippines has been one of the primary destinations wherein no one leaves unhappy nor unsatisfied.     So come on in and experience us, the Philippines invites you!

[henyonghenry]

The Tool That Uses Itself

by Henry Jeal Matthew Densing

   Where do thoughts come from? What forms our beliefs? Why do people act the way they do? Where does morality stem from?—Questions you might have asked multiple times in your lifetime.

   Posing the right question is just as hard as finding the answer to it. Hop in as we delve into the center of our thoughts, perceptions, beliefs, and reality—the human brain.

   But what makes this thick composition of fat special? And how can a clump of atoms exhibit sentience? I would probably need a whole lot more of brain power, more than a PhD, two millennia of evolutionary history and I still cannot figure it out.

   For centuries, people have studied obsessively the organ we rely on to perceive reality, with apparently, their own brains; but much of what we know comes from outside social interactions—we even built a whole scientific discipline around it.

   Distancing away from the macro physical, we shrink ourselves to the size of elementary particles. One famous argument in the modern era is that thoughts come from the random firing of neurons in our brain; however contrary to this, psychologists have long been plagued with the “detailed narrative” paradox wherein “random firing of neurons in our brain” seems equivocal and weak if it be considered a basis for structured and complex human actions.

   Some neuroscientists on the other hand, claim that thoughts come from nowhere…hmm? And if we can make something appear out of nothing, does that mean we are gods then?

   So really, where do thoughts come from? And how can we trust our thought processes?

  It is rather difficult—to unlock something that has no keyhole. It is difficult—to open a door with no handle. It is difficult—to search for something evasive.

   Our brains are one of the wonders of this world. We should be grateful, but are we the masters of it? Or are they the masters of us?

   No one knows for sure, and I doubt someone ever will.

   This is a challenge, to wake the greatest minds of our planet, to not work against it, but to listen to it.

[henyonghenry]

Little Henry . . .

by Henry Jeal Matthew Densing   

   28th of August, 1972, a remarkable man was born at a little clinic in the city of island adventures, adjacent to the surfing capital of the pearl of the orient seas.

   Growing up in a family profuse in wealth and influence, and in an environment copious in marine resources and agricultural material, he remained down to earth. The wonderful bunso of six siblings was a consistent top-notcher from elementary to high school—a considerable manifestation of his high intellect given the circumstances afforded to their time, but despite of these achievements he aspired for more.

   An ambitious young man by the age of 17—he wanted to study in a reputable academy at the capital in spite of his provincial status; but, there was a catch. Their barangay was one of the first ever to be reached by the Iglesia Ni Cristo—a significant happening that had a tremendous impact on his viewpoint in life.

   “Their teachings struck me, it inspired me to learn more on the essence of life.”—and so he joined the church and as a matter of fact, they, joined the church. A catalyst, a blessing indeed as it had catapulted him closer to his ambitions. Contrary to his expectations there were no rich nor were there foreign-looking students in and out of the campus he was enrolled in, rather, they were all provincemen—aspirants, with a one-time, big-time chance towards their goals. “It was hard but I had to carry on…”

   And what reasonable courage drove him away from his family to pursue his own career you might ask? “I wanted to give back to my family and my hometown… their toils shouldn’t remain unequaled.”—A simple but tactful response.

   And so he had graduated, with a degree of Bachelor in Science Industrial Engineering he went home and faced his family. He’d greet them with tears and within those tears carried were regret and various forms of mixed emotions built up from four years of familial desolation.

   “Dad, I want to become a minister,” he uttered. “Go on and fulfill your dreams, you have made me proud enough.”

   With hope anew he braved once again the urban life he’d once been a resident of—setting his sights on the unseen. To gain the privilege of preaching the words of the Lord.

   All the while giving back to his family, he was giving back to his countrymen. Bringing them closer towards God, helping the needy, and sowing brotherly love. He’s been an admirable ministerial worker with a tremendous impact on society. For a small act of kindness shall magnify within one’s mortal coil.

   “Dream big, start small… and don’t just dream for it, work for it.”

   An engineer by profession, a father by figure, and a minister by occupation—Henrito, little Henry, home ruler, whom only the might of a tender woman can tame.

[henyonghenry]

Hello po classmates.