Enculturation in the Age of Social Media: Guiding the Young Toward Real Success

By Aurelio O. Angeles
Author, “Where To From Here?”
(Provided by CHAT GPT from my thoughts in my book)

The Digital Dilemma

We live in an age when people, especially the young, spend more time with their phones than with one another.

Social media has become their window to the world — and their mirror of self-worth.

They scroll endlessly for entertainment, recognition, or escape, yet often end up feeling more distracted, more pressured, and less sure of who they really are.

This dependence on screens and apps has created a generation that is connected but not grounded, expressive but not reflective, and quick to react but slow to think.

In truth, the danger is not the technology itself — it is the loss of discipline, focus, and purpose that often comes with it.

At Multi-Line, we have learned through decades of challenges that true success does not come from comfort or convenience.

It comes from culture — the values and principles we live by every day.

That is why we built our Enculturation Program: to nurture creativity, competitiveness, and character not just in business, but in life itself.

Enculturation: The Way Back to Purpose

Enculturation is not a slogan or a seminar.

It is a journey of the mind, heart, and hands — Isa-Isip, Isa-Puso, Isa-Gawa — toward becoming one’s best self.

It begins with asking the right questions and ends with building a life of meaning and contribution.

This is the same journey I wrote about in my book, Where To From Here?, where I shared how faith, perseverance, and reflection shaped my path from crisis to renewal.

The principles we practice in our company — PROBLEMA, AMBISYON, BISYON, SAKRIPISYON, and KOMISYON — are the same principles that can guide young people in overcoming the distractions of the digital age.

1.  PROBLEMA — See the Real Problem

Many young people believe their problem is not being popular enough online.

In truth, the problem is the loss of self-awareness — the inability to ask, “Who am I becoming?”

Enculturation begins by facing the real issue, not the illusion.

The cellphone is not the enemy; the lack of discipline is.

When we learn to see the true problem, we start to gain control of our lives again.

2.  AMBISYON — Set Worthy Aspirations

Social media celebrates instant success, but real ambition takes time to grow.

Enculturation reminds us that ambition must be meaningful — to create, to contribute, and to make life better for others.

This is the kind of ambition that builds nations, not just reputations.

In our company, we encourage the young to dream of mastery, not popularity; of service, not status.

3.  BISYON — Plan with Purpose

The online world moves fast, but the most successful people move with direction.

Enculturation teaches that every dream must have a Bisyon — a clear path and set of actions to make it real.

Without a plan, energy is wasted; with a plan, even small steps create big progress.

Our people learn to think long-term, to prepare, and to persevere — lessons that technology cannot teach but real work can.

4.  SAKRIPISYON — Value the Process

Today’s youth often seek shortcuts. But in life, there is no shortcut to greatness.

Enculturation revives the lost virtue of sacrifice — the willingness to endure challenges, to wait, and to give more than what is required.

As I shared in my book, during the Asian Crisis of 1997, we suffered losses but chose to honor our commitments.

That sacrifice strengthened our credibility and became the foundation for our future growth.

The same principle applies to every young person: success without sacrifice is shallow; only through hardship does character take shape.

5.  KOMISYON — The Reward Beyond Likes

Social media rewards instantly — with likes, hearts, and shares.

Enculturation defines reward differently.

Komisyon is not the applause of others but the quiet joy of knowing that one has done what is right, what is good, and what is meaningful.

It is the fulfillment that comes from growth, contribution, and integrity.

In the end, this inner reward lasts longer than any online recognition.

The Culture of “Is There Anything Better?”

Our guiding question in Multi-Line — “Is there anything better? Can we do it any better?” — is also a powerful test of how young people use social media today.

Before scrolling, posting, or wasting time online, they can ask:

> “Is there anything better I can do with this moment?”

That simple question turns distraction into direction and transforms time into opportunity.

It builds self-discipline, creativity, and continuous improvement — values that make both individuals and companies strong.

Guiding the Young Generation Forward

Enculturation can be their compass in a noisy digital world.

Through it, young people can learn to:

Use technology as a tool for growth, not a trap for comparison.

Build real competence instead of online confidence.

Find peace in reflection, not in constant scrolling.

Measure success not by popularity, but by contribution.

If they learn to balance technology with thought, and ambition with virtue, they will not only succeed in their careers — they will also become whole human beings capable of leading others.

The Real Commission

At the heart of Enculturation is love — love for work, for people, and for God.

When this love guides how we think, feel, and act, even the digital world becomes a place of purpose.

That is the real Komisyon — the true reward of a life well-lived, beyond likes, beyond fame, beyond the screen.

Enculturation is our quiet revolution.

It reminds us that while technology may connect us, it is our values that define us.

And when young people live by those values — Hard Work, Commitment, Expertise, and High Moral Values — they become not just successful professionals, but builders of a better world.