The debut tradition continues. A filipina girl of Filipino heritage, known as “The Debutante” celebrates her 18th birthday by dancing with her cotillon court of 9 teenager boys and 9 teen girls in an elegant and rehearsed Waltz dance. Another traditional dance where the Debutante shares a dance with 18 men each one offering a rose. This is The 18 Roses Dance. Another tradition during this grand celebration is the 18 Candles presentation where 18 ladies lighted 18 candles to resemble the 18 lights that will serve as guidance to the Debutante as she transition to the status of a full grown woman. These are all part of a Filipino tradition –The Debut Tradition.
The tradition for this debut started way back during the early Spaniards occupation time in the Philippines and was carried out from generation to generation in the Philippines and even those Filipinos residing abroad.
The following is a typical Debutante’s Ball Agenda.
INTRODUCTION OF THE DEBUTANTE, HER ESCORT
AND HER COTILLON COURT
TOAST IN HONOR OF THE DEBUTANTE
WELCOME REMARKS (BY THE PARENTS)
INVOCATION OR PRAYER
DINING
FATHER & DAUGHTER DANCE
GRAND COTILLON WALTZ DANCE
18 ROSES DANCE
18 CANDLES PRESENTATION
SINGING OF TRADITIONAL DEBUTANTE’S
BIRTHDAY SONG
BLOWING OF THE CAKE CANDLES
CUTTING OF THE CAKE
18 TREASURES PRESENTATION
A WORD FROM THE DEBUTANTE
DANCING TIME
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well.. im sixteen and my mom is already planning to have a debut for me..
im really nervous about it...
i've been to many debut's and thought they were all soo beautiful!
no questions... just comments!!
such as to just talk about your experiences with this event
or what do you think about it...
My boyfriend's filipino, and the group that I hang out with has a lot of filipino friends. I think debuts are great, especially how they carry on so much tradition to younger generations. Think of it as a rite of passage, and make sure you have fun.... it's a pretty emotional time for most people
sidenote//. my friend's dancing performing at his friend's debut, I made a mix for him a couple days ago...it's gonna be awesome!
Oh I've been to debuts! Twice I've been part pf the 18 Roses, and it hella fun. We even had a dance presentation at the middle of the stage and the adults (and of course, the debutante) were all bursting with laughter cause we were dancing Filipino novelty songs (you know how weird those can get).
It was fun, you should look forward to yours!
I've been to these, and they're lovely and make her so happy and all of that, but, in all honesty, I'd rather my parents buy me a used car with the money that they spend for the party.
But to each her own, right?
I don't know much about that but it sounds really nice!
But the money spent on something like that can be used for something more useful. Shopping? College?
yeahhh..
you guys be saying how you would spend the money on something else..
but this IS a filipino tradition here!
They're fun (= I'm planning to have one once I turn 18, too. Hope yours turns out good.
Blah blah...I really don't know much about debuts even though I'm pinay & was born in the old country but I was raised here & wasn't really raised traditionally(except for the food)
I've been to a debut once. It was all fancy & stuff & makes the girl feel all princess like but wait I'm srry I know I'm not suppose to ask but do guys have them too?
Anyways, I personally never had a debut. I just went out with fam & close friends to eat & then went cosmic bowling. Nothing too crazy but I enjoyed it overall
Oh debuts...fond memories. I personally didn't have one because my birthday is late in the year (November) so I was in university at the time and my parents thought that'd be too difficult and whatnot so instead I had a miniaturized version and I had a sweet 16 but in a debut style haha.
This past summer a friend of mine had a huge debut (400+ people) and I was in her cotillion, it was sooo much fun. One of the best events of my summer. Thats where I met my current boyfriend too.
It's stressful to prepare and get ready for, but when the day comes around its definitely worth it.
lucky you.
i'm turning 17 next month and my parents aren't even planning.
i want one so badly though.
lucky you. but i get 2. one for my 16&18 since im chinese&filipino :)
LOLL. im getting 2 because my mom wants me to have it one when im 16 cause she's chinese&my step mom wants me to do it when im 18 cause she's filipino so they were like im getting 2 but honestly i just want one.
This doesn't even belong here, but I've never even met a Chinese-Filipino and there are like, three here.
Awww Nikkie, you're story was adorable.
I fell in love with my girlfriend at her debut; actually, she fell in love with me. I guess you could say I was the best 18th birthday present she got.
The tradition for this debut started way back during the early Spaniards occupation time in the Philippines and was carried out from generation to generation in the Philippines and even those Filipinos residing abroad.
so u all stole traditions? Why no japanese tradition when they own u in ww2!!!!
why are your posts always so immature?
WOW!! that sounds exciting!! in my culture we don't have that kind of tradition. i didint know that the filipinos had a tradition just like the Latinos, Qunicenras (sorry if i spelled it wrong) excepts theirs are on their 15 birthdays!! thats cool, i wish Laos People had something like that!! (:
Thanks Kaycee, and Yan Yan
Well i turned 17th two weeks ago, and have been planning my debut since i was 16. Im not a big fan of DANCING, you know the whole dancing partners that kind of stuff.. well this is how it's going to go. 18 girls and 18 guys roses and candles and say something about you. it's going to be great!
i will be having my debut on august and im thinking of having the renaissance theme but i don't know how to pull it off with my invites, set up, my dress and etc.. please help me. thanks!