THE FILIPINO MILLENNIAL

This gave rise to a generation of reformers, rebels, and on the positive side, technological inventions. Others sought refuge in the Woodstock culture.

The seventies destroyed our political and social structures with Martial Law. These were the days of the rise of Idi Amin, Gaddafi, Peron, Saddam Hussein and oil became a powerful economic and political resource. The human heart could already be transplanted.

The eighties will be remembered as a turn-around decade. It ushered a new populist philosophy with People Power in the Philippines, Glasnost in Russia, the Fall of the Berlin wall in Germany, and the opening up of China to the world.

In the Philippines, statesmen were being replaced by movie

This is a four-part installment based on The Pinoy Millennial, a monograph presented by the author during the

VolunteerPlus2016 Congress held at the Saint John Bosco Parish,

KIM Fr Armand D Robleza, SDB

1. WHO IS THE PINOY MILLENNIAL?

I was born in the 1950’s when the memories of World War II were still fresh. I grew up in the sixties when the Cold War between the Western democracies and the Eastern Communists almost led to another world catastrophe. It was the time when young people were disillusioned with the world’s new-found wealth, and were looking for other philosophies to believe in.

THE LOREM IPSUMS FALL 2016

and you comprise about 35 million of the 100 million Filipinos. Worldwide, projections estimate that millennials will form 50% of the global work force by the year 2025.

Are Filipino and ASEAN Millennials Different? Because of cable TV and the internet, ASEAN millennials are similarly exposed to the determinants of their western counterparts, thus, all millennials have similarities. But the Philippines has its own cultural uniqueness that makes them a little different. These are: • The liberal brand of Philippine democracy • OFW parenting • Extended family • High cost of education [to Filipinos living in the

Philippines] • Lack of work opportunities. • Corruption and inequitable distribution of wealth • Economic see-saw

actors, and popular personalities in Congress. The Catholic Church became a mainstay in the spiritual and social life of the people. The successive coup d’etats during the Cory administration were overshadowed by the Asian financial crisis during Ramos’ time, and the corruption of the Estrada term. We had a taste of corruption during the GMA administration that brought a no-vision Aquino to the presidency.

It is inevitable that each generation will have unique characteristics, all of which have been shaped by what has been happening in their times. If Generation X is known for its open-

minded and philosophical bent, then what is Generation Y – The Millennials – all about? The 3rd Millennium saw the rise of self-empowerment, “be yourself,” and your-passion-should-be-your-profession attitudes and movements all over the globe and it is highly probable that the young adult your organization is eyeing adhere to these kinds of philosophies.

Getting it right�

First of all, what generation exactly are we talking about? Millennials as those who were born in the 1980’s all the way to the early 2000s. However, still others think that Millennials should only be classified as those who have not experienced a life without the Internet. Whatever the case may be, it seems that if you’re in your early thirties or younger, then you’re probably a Millennial,

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Some characteristics of the millennial crowd

They are well-educated. In the Philippines, in particular, parents put a lot of value on education and their kids are essentially expected to go to the university and earn a Bachelor’s Degree – and they’re not stopping there. A survey conducted by the Far Eastern University (FEU) in the Philippines showed that 67% of respondents intend to complete a graduate degree. It has been observed that it is common among millennials to prefer schooling over work. Millennials take the MBA route, to get to the dream position they want instead of rolling-out their sleeves to work. But the reason for this could be the lack of job opportunities locally and the desire to work and eventually settle abroad.

They are hardworking. According to the same survey conducted by FEU, 66.8% of millennial respondents said, “hard work is the most important element of success in Philippine society.” Contrary to the common belief that millennials are lazy and entitled, they could be extremely hard working and motivated to go above and beyond to accomplish their tasks.

They are ambitious. Deloitte’s 2015 Millennial survey revealed that 65% of millennials in emerging markets such as the Philippines aspire to be the “leader or most senior executive within their current organization.” These young people have high aspirations in their careers and are motivated to do the necessary work to achieve it.

Because of these, a study found Filipino millennials are open to seeking global opportunity, demand flexible work schedules, and they value work-life balance. This was supported by the findings of DOLE which found fresh graduates picky. Likewise, some Filipino millennials have ventured into the work at home scheme or freelance work like oDesk and professional blogging. The good side? Millennials avoid the mistake of their parents that is too much work [in the Philippine context: work abroad], and limited time for family. The bad side? Millennials would rather be jobless than get a job that they don’t want. This is especially true for well-off families.

“Millennials are a complex group of individuals, but what’s clear is that they want to make their mark in the world,” Bea Lim managing director of integrated marketing communications agency TeamAsia said. “Some people have portrayed the youth negatively, but if you look at it, our generation is intent on pushing the envelope and going beyond the box. At the end of the day, it is about perception. If you seek to see the youth in a positive spectrum, you’ll see the best, if you choose to focus on the negative, all you’ll see is the bad.”

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Hard work plus ambition? Now, that’s a great combination of traits in an employee.

Millennials constitute an untapped goldmine of talent that could make them effective game-changers in business or in civil society.

Archbishop Soc Villegas admitted: "We need the millennials." "We need their help because times are changing fast and it is they who are at the forefront," the prelate said. For him, millennials have the power to communicate effectively and instantly. "We hope that by reaching out to them, they can help us reach out to more people," the archbishop said.

They are socially connected via multiple

devices, and are in some instances bordering on the obsessed with social media. MIllennials are adept researchers; they know how to find information. 33% watch lessons on line. 20% read textbooks on their tablets. 33% work with colleagues online. 52% use YouTube or other apps to go about their tasks.

Hard work plus ambition? Now, that’s a great combination of traits in an employee.

Millennials constitute an untapped goldmine of talent that could make them effective game-changers in business or in civil society.

Archbishop Soc Villegas admitted: "We need the millennials." "We need their help because times are changing fast and it is they who are at the forefront," the prelate said. For him, millennials have the power to communicate effectively and instantly. "We hope that by reaching out to them, they can help us reach out to more people," the archbishop said.

They are socially connected via multiple

devices, and are in some instances bordering on the obsessed with social media. MIllennials are adept researchers; they know how to find information. 33% watch lessons on line. 20% read textbooks on their tablets. 33% work with colleagues online. 52% use YouTube or other apps to go about their tasks.