What ‘millennials’ want

Millennials, people born from the ‘80s to early 2000s, grew up with modern technology. They work using personal computers, communicate mostly through their smartphones, and have virtual lives on the Internet. These new technologies make way for a fast-paced lifestyle that millennials adapt to. With this lifestyle, millennials expect things to be done and resolved in a timely manner, especially when it comes to customer service.

According to the study “Aspect Consumer Experience Index: Millennial Research On Customer Service,” millennials can be impatient when dealing with customer service. This study was presented recently at the Makati Shangri-La hotel by Jim Freeze, SVP and chief marketing officer of Aspect Software, a leading contact center software solutions provider.

In the study, special attention was given to millennials because their views on customer experience usher in an entirely new wave of digital expectations to the marketplace and they are expected to become the most powerful consumer group in a few years’ time.

“Aspect’s fully-integrated solution unifies the three most important facets of modern customer engagement strategy: customer interaction management, workforce optimization and back-office. Through a full suite of cloud, hosted and hybrid deployment options, we help the world’s most demanding contact centers and back offices seamlessly align their people, processes and touch points to deliver remarkable customer experiences,” said Freeze. He also mentioned that these contact centers carry today’s top brands in aviation, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, telecommunications and retail.

Freeze explained that the extent to which the Philippines is much more a “millennial generation” only means that change is going to happen much quicker here, creating more opportunities for companies to distance themselves from competitors by starting to provide customer service that is responsive to that generation.

A golden heritage

The spotlight will be on the Philippines’ rich pre-Hispanic cultural heritage as Asia Society and Ayala Museum, with special participation of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), mount the groundbreaking exhibit Philippine Gold: Treasures of Forgotten Kingdoms at the Asia Society Museum in New York from Sept. 11 to early January 2016.

The exhibit will feature over 120 gold objects dated between the 10th and 13th century, on loan from the collections of Ayala Museum and BSP. Among the treasures to be displayed are gold necklaces, chains, waistbands, bangles, ritual bowls, implements and ceremonial weapons. These rare artifacts reveal fascinating yet little known aspect of the country’s heritage.

Asia Society Philippines chair Doris Magsaysay Ho, Ayala Corp. president and COO Fernando Zobel de Ayala and BSP Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. led the press briefing held at the Ayala Museum recently.

Zobel de Ayala and Magsaysay Ho are joined by Loida Nicolas Lewis as Gala Benefit committee chair in driving the exhibition, which is curated by Nina Capistrano-Baker, curator at Ayala Museum; and Adriana Proser, John H. Foster senior curator for traditional Asian art at Asia Society New York.

The Philippine Gold: Treasures of Forgotten Kingdoms opens with a gala dinner on Sept. 10 at the Asia Society Museum in New York. For the three-month period, visitors will also be treated to exciting activities that promote Philippine culture, including academic lectures, a pop-up Philippine food bar, musical events, art and design exhibitions, a film festival and live cultural performances.

The exhibit is made possible by Ayala Corp., with additional support by exhibition partners Bank of Philippine Islands, Del Monte Foods Inc., Philippine Airlines, ABS-CBN The Filipino Channel and Tourism Promotions Board Philippines.

‘Moving lives through beautiful music’

The 26th Toyota Classics presents the internationally acclaimed Hungarian theater company, Budapest Operetta and Musical Theatre, on Oct. 16 at The Theatre in Solaire Resort and Casino in Parañaque City. Toyota Classics, the global automotive manufacturer’s signature corporate social responsibility program in arts and culture, aims to move lives by showcasing the theater company in seven Asian countries, including the Philippines.

The Budapest Operetta and Musical Theatre will be performing a mix of musical and operetta pieces that are crowd favorites like those in the West Side Story, The Bat by Johann Strauss II, Gypsy Love, The Land of Smiles and The Merry Widow by Franz Lehár, The Countless Maritza and The Gypsy Princess by Emmerich Kálmán.

The theater company, which has performed extensively in Europe and Asia, is led by conductor maestro László Makláry, winner of Artisjus Prize and the Honored Artist of Hungary. Key singers include Anita Lukács, Zsolt Vadász Gergely Boncsér, Mónika Fischl, Szilvi Szendy and Dávid Szabó.

Toyota Classics, since its inception in 1990, has held over 184 sell-out classical concerts in Asia in the last 25 years. The ticket sales from the Toyota Classics concerts are donated to different local charities. Last year, the Toyota Classics in the Philippines donated its proceeds to Plan International, a child-centered humanitarian organization that promotes education, child health, child protection and youth engagement. A total of P3 million was committed to Yolanda rehabilitation, which was twice the amount of the P1.5-million ticket proceeds for the event — so far the highest grossing concert for its Manila leg. 

Toyota Motors Philippines president Michinobu Sugata said, “The Toyota Classics is more than just promoting and enriching culture and the arts in the country. It is our ultimate aspiration to realize that we keep on moving lives through beautiful music. In the previous years, we are pleased that the funds raised through the Toyota Classics have provided support to various charity groups in their relief operations that have enabled them to lead better lives.”

(For more information, visit www.ToyotaClassics.asia.)

Please your palate, go Korean!

Dig in and enjoy your favorite Korean fare  with a twist, as Chef’s Noodle presents its bevy of specialties that will surely please the senses.

Having recently opened its latest branch at the Ayala Fairview Terraces in Quezon City, Chef’s Noodle is set to continue winning the hearts of the dining public with its delectable selection of Korean dishes served in a comfortable fast casual dining atmosphere at reasonable prices.

Brand ambassador Sam Concepcion welcomed guests to the opening of the restaurant’s new branch. Sam’s youthful nature mirrors Chef’s Noodle’s relaxed, K-Pop-inspired interiors that make dining all the more enjoyable.

Catering to those who love Korean food or are looking for something sumptuously different, Chef’s Noodle has been very creative in pleasing the Filipino palate with its wonderful array of Korean dishes that range from the traditional to the unique.

Whether you’re in the mood for the classic bibimbap or kimbap, or you’re feeling more adventurous, Chef’s Noodle’s menu will not fail to whet your appetite.

Chef’s Noodle has been known for its unique Starking Fire Sushi. This is the Korean version of sushi created by Korean celebrity chef Choi In Sun. The Starking Fire Sushi is described as “sticky rice balls topped with your choice of meat — beef, shrimp or tuna. The meat is then torched in front of you for added excitement.” Diners are free to request on how they want their meat toppings cooked medium rare or well-done. It also comes with your choice of sauce, garlic mayo or spicy sauce.

Another must-try at Chef’s Noodle is the Korean Fried Chicken, which comes with spices and is cooked until golden brown.

(Visit its branches at Robinsons Magnolia (656-7033) SM North EDSA-The Block (376-5367), Robinsons Place Malolos (0917-5486187) and

Ayala Fairview Terraces (364-8878).

Check out www.chefsnoodlephils.com.) (Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)