Millennials as game changers

BACOLOD. From left, JCI Bacolod Executive past presidents Julie Encabo, Xavier Lim, and April Causing, newly inducted president Mhel Enderes Sillador, and other past presidents Timothie Williamson Sy and Napoleon Conmigo. (Contributed photo)
BACOLOD. From left, JCI Bacolod Executive past presidents Julie Encabo, Xavier Lim, and April Causing, newly inducted president Mhel Enderes Sillador, and other past presidents Timothie Williamson Sy and Napoleon Conmigo. (Contributed photo)

THEY are described as entitled, self-involved and social media dependent. Some call them Generation Y, while others would refer to them as the “Selfie Generation.” They are called millennials. It was actually William Strauss and Neil Howe who are credited for the coining the term “millennials,” which according to an article published by Time Magazine, consisted of people born between 1980 and 2000.

But millennials across the country are proving these descriptions wrong. Millennials now are starting companies, engaging in public service, heading non-profits and leading various youth-pioneered initiatives, demonstrating that this generation is not only career-oriented but also civic-minded.

Just last week, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte gave a message to a youth organization. Duterte commended JCI Bacolod Executive for being a steadfast and consistent partner of the government in improving the welfare of the Filipinos. He said that “its programs for our people in Bacolod and neighboring communities have opened development opportunities that enhance their capacity to become efficient leaders and productive members of society.”

JCI Bacolod Executive is an organization that provides development opportunities that empower young people to become better leaders by organizing projects anchored toward individual and community development, socially responsible entrepreneurship and collaborative partnerships with the government and the private sector.

Since its founding in 2013, JCI Bacolod Executive has committed itself in establishing a network of young leaders that compose of start-up entrepreneurs, business leaders, non-government organization executives, wealth portfolio managers, educators, real estate practitioners and athletes.

Stephanie Yu has been a member of the organization since 2015. She recently founded Snowy Effect, a line of all natural handmade skincare products especially formulated for sensitive skin. Stephanie started her career as a nurse and eventually ventured into real estate. Now she has her own line of beauty products.

Just like several millennials, this generation is known as career shifters, jumping from one field to another.

Another member is Timothie Williamson Sy, who, at the young age of 27, is already a seven-time MDRT (Million Dollar Round Table) recipient. Fresh from college, he joined PhilAm Life and now he has one of the most inspiring success stories in the field of financial advising. On weekends, he involves himself in training young people about financial literacy and organizes activities for the disadvantaged. In 2017, he was elected as the president of JCI Bacolod Executive.

Millennials don’t limit themselves to one field. They tend to be involved in interdisciplinary and multi-industry activities. JCI Bacolod Executive’s newly inducted president Mhel Enderes Sillador is also the executive director of Kalipay Negrense Foundation, an organization working for the causes of disadvantaged children, rescuing victims of abuse and providing them a safe home environment. He does all these while overseeing the operation for his realty company.

Diversity is what makes a millennial and they have different versions of themselves.

In his inaugural speech, Sillador said: “I couldn’t be more excited this 2019. As all of us can begin to dream again, find our role models to help us shape ourselves and shape our world.”

The JCI Bacolod Executive board is composed of Stanley Tan (vice president external), Audie Rizalde (vice president internal), Barbie Baldeviso (secretary), Stephanie Yu (treasurer), Paige Alitao (BOD-individual), Raffy Villanueva (BOD-international), Raya Lopez (BOD community), Jack Vargas (BOD-business) and John Michael Zaragoza (local training director).

With this year’s theme of “Be a Catalyst for Change,” JCI Bacolod Executive is set to implement its continuing projects that will benefit the disadvantaged sector of the community. These projects include Youth Leadership Excellence Award, Bags to School, Beyond Prison Walls, Peace is Possible, Pinay Power, Think Green, Exe Run (Dalagan Para Sa Batang Negros), Exe Class Learning Session and Camp Pag-Ibig Juan Plan.

As a generation, millennials feel the urge to innovate and change the world for the betterment of humanity. They are enthusiastic about movements that will change the world for good. They participate and commit to causes that they believe in. They are ready to be game changers.

So contrary to the “Me Generation” concept, millennials are highly motivated by social opportunities around them that help them connect not only with themselves but also with the community around them.

President Duterte further said: “The most important person when it comes to creating positive change is person who is willing to take action to make something different. The person who is willing to own the outcome and become the catalyst of change is the critical element in making it happen. Without one stepping up and taking responsibility, change will not happen. Again, I congratulate JCI Bacolod Executive for being an agent of positive change in Negros and to President Mhel for stepping up and accepting the responsibility of leading your organization to live to its creed of ‘That Service to Humanity is the Best Work of Life.’”

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