Intrigued with the invitation for “A Night of Fun and Young Vibes at Park Inn by Radisson Davao’s Millennial Night,” I skipped my gym workout last January 31, 2019, just to attend the event and satisfy my curiosity. We hear about millennials all the time but its not always clear who is part of this group. With the help of Google, I learned that those people born between the early 1980s to 1996 is the generation of the millennials. Millennials grew up in an age where the internet and iPhone became a way of life.
The term millennial was coined in 1987 by authors William Strauss and Neil Howe. Psychologist Jean Twenge described millennials as “Generation Me” in 2006 in her book, “Generation Me: Why Today’s Young Americans Are More Confident, Assertive, Entitled— and More Miserable Than Ever Before.” Time Magazine had a cover story titled “Millennials: The Me Me Me Generation.”
When asked about the rather unusual event for millennials, Park Inn GM Emelyn Mauhay-Rosales answered, “We wanted something different this time from the usual sedate events we hold. It’s about time we give attention to the millennials; and its about time we give them a more energetic, louder and a bit chaotic type of event the Park Inn by Radisson Davao way. The Millennial Night is another year-starter event for those who want to have a night of fun with friends and loved ones. This is also an opportunity for people to mingle and meet old or even new friends. We want to highlight and introduce the Park Inn function room as a possible venue for those who want to have social events with a similar setting.”
Hosted by the highly energized and hip blogger named Chito Samontina with loud music played by DJ Torch, the party started with a “Flair Bartending Competition.” The contestants were required to create their signature cocktail drink using four to a maximum of seven ingredients within a five-minute routine performance. The judges included Mark Joseph Nipas (Tesda Trainer & Assessor, F&B Manager of Villa Amparo Garden Beach Resort); the entrepreneurial Rogelio Canales (Bar Manager and Proprietor of Mixed Temptations Bar); and the talented Ronald Fronda (Food & Drinks Manager of RBG Bar & Grill).
The contestants included Ben Reil de Leon with his Blue Lemogar cocktail; Winston Mendoza with his Ginger Punch entry; and Cris Allen Obregon who presented his Pine-Mellow Nostalgia. In flair bartending, the bartender needs skills commonly associated with jugglers to entertain and impress. The three contestants, who are in their early twenties, were obviously nervous during their performance which saw bottles, cocktail jiggers, drink shakers and even straws flying all over the designated competition area. Unfortunately, not one of the contestants gave a flawless performance.
GM Emelyn Mauhay-Rosales and judges Mark Joseph Nipas, Rogelio Canales and Ronald Fronda proclaimed UM’s Ben Reil de Leon as Park Inn’s Flair Bartending Champion winning a cash prize of 7,000 pesos plus an overnight stay at Park Inn. In second place winning 5,000 pesos plus a Swim & Dine voucher for two was TGIF’s Winston Mendoza; while UM’s Cris Allen Obregon won 3,000 pesos and a Breakfast Buffet voucher for two.
Oh yes, thanks to GM Emelyn Mauhay-Rosales, H&R Manager Natasha Mendoza and Director of Sales Liza Gamo who, to my surprise, chose my all black outfit as “The Best Outfit of the Night with the Best Statement Shirt.” I wore a Mr. Smyth polo shirt by SM emblazoned with “I Have No Idea What I want!” at the back. It was also the choice statement of Chito Samontina who said he also has no idea what he wants.
After the awarding ceremony, host Chito Samontina encouraged the guests, “Let us continue to feel the millennial vibe throughout the night. Enjoy the rest of the evening with music by DJ Torch.”
I was warned to bring my ear plugs but which I forgot to do. I wasn’t about to let my eardrums burst from the loud music being played, so I bid my Park Inn by Radisson Davao hosts GM Emelyn Mauhay-Rosales, Izza Cadiente and Thea Ledesma adios after expressing my gratitude. Yes, I’m definitely old schooled and I feel fortunate for this.
