Anthony has no issues with millennials

MANILA, Philippines — Often the generation gap is a room for conflict and criticism between people of certain age brackets. Celebrity motivational speaker Anthony Pangilinan embraces this issue with such an open mind you’d think it’s really just about working on each other’s strengths regardless of which generation you belong to.

Speaking to educators at the recent 2019 Scholastic Education Summit held at Crowne Plaza, the renowned media personality quickly addressed a question fielded by a veteran in the teaching profession concerning the tendency of millennials to change jobs or company affiliations instead of keeping their posts intact for long, as it has been the practice by previous generations.    

Admittedly associating himself to the generation of pre-smart phone days, Pangilinan pointed out, “It’s not your fault that they decide to move on. It’s not an escape. What’s important is for them to have the value they learned from engaging with you. They will be your ambassadors.”

A certified John Maxwell trainer, Pangilinan was the event’s keynote speaker who tackled the subject of communication and collaboration.

He further explained, “When it comes to millennials, my take is I look for the right person. That’s the millennial who is 10 times more knowledgeable in doing a particular skill than I do.”

His statement somehow echoes the idea that wisemen from older generations ensure that millennials, or even those already included to the even younger Gen Z, make them look good. In a classy jocular tone, he mused, “Just distribute the stress to millennials who can take it. Do not stress yourselves by them.”

Pangilinan is the chairman of BusinessWorks, Inc., a key player in the country’s management training and consulting industry. He also serves as president of Called to Rescue Philippines, an anti-human trafficking organization helping prevent the disturbing problem.

Scholastic, the world leader in children’s books and education programs, has partnered with Philippine schools for literacy and numeracy programs for the past 12 years, targeting teachers and librarians. Last year, it hosted its first Education Summit for school teachers.

A 40-minute set by the Manila String Machine treated the attendees to calming, invigorating music.

By observation, Pangilinan’s talk was engaging because of his surprisingly innate humor delivered in tasteful manner. At one point, he asked the summit delegates to list down something, only to inform those who claimed to have heard him say a specific word that he didn’t mention that one all along.

“You have to accept the reality that it’s a disconnected world,” he said, before cracking, “Stop disconnecting from your wife. Umibig kang muli.”

Even funnier, he quipped, “We have a lot of married singles. Mag-diet ka na!”