Fil-Am Millennials The Z-Gens

By: Joe Mauricio

 

When Veronica asked me what I was going to write in my column this month, my answer was I don’t know, until two Fil-Am budding local actresses came in for a CPRTV interview. Both are 16 years old, and are very active in the community theatre. They came with their amiable white assistant director, and they are both very quiet and shy.

We hear about the superior tech savvy-ness of people born after 1990 so often, we assume it must be true. When the results of Princeton-based Educational Testing Service (ETS) was released, ETS was shocked. It turned out that the Millenial generation in the U.S. falls short short when it comes to the skills employers want most: literacy, math and problem-solving in technology-rich environment.

Take literacy test, for instance, American Millennials scored lower than their counterparts overseas, while Gen Z-ers in the U.S. ranked dead last. Even the best educated Millennials in the U.S. couldn’t compete with counterparts in Japan, Finland, South Korea, Belgium, or elsewhere. We really thought U.S.

Millennials would do better than the general adult population, but they didn’t. In fact, their scores were abysmal. Millennials have the motivation and DNA to run wild with innovations, but they also have access to tools, technology, and platform to make a real difference. What this generation is busy fixing and making is interesting to watch. But perhaps, the most fascinating is how the Millennials are going about innovation and how the next version of the American Dream may manifest.

Now, going back to the two Fil-Am Millennials in Chicago. Though absorbed by the Melting Pot syndrome, these Fil-Am kids were raised by Tiger Moms and possess Filipino DNAS that separate them from the rest.

Amid globalization, Fil-Am Millennials have displayed a growing sense of national pride–”Pilipino Yata Ako!” They appreciate local traditions, but with the increased open and tolerant view of other countries and cultures. And, I believe that they have the potential to change the world for the better.

In the short time I was with these Fil-Am Pinays, I felt that they know that they have an obligation to treat others with respect, regardless of race, gender, religion, political viewpoint, or sexual orientation.

My conclusion? The young Fil-Am Millennials will be okay and there will be more to come for the better…. MABUHAY ANG PILIPINAS!

Joe Mauricio’s CPRTV interview with the Fil-Am Millennials Kiara Lyn Manriquez and Alyanna Parajado of Albany Park Theatre Group with Maggie Popadiak, Associate Director of APTG about the play “Feast” that played in Goodman Theatre for two weeks.