“4 Essentials to Include in the Program If You’re Having a Classic Debut” from Candy Magazine.“Real Life Fairytale: A Girl’s 18th Birthday in the Philippines” by Katrina Escalona for the Culture Trip.Debuts in larger cities like Manila can easily cost anywhere from $5,000 to $15,500. An event organizer from Palawan says her debut clients’ budgets usually range from $1,200 (CAD) to $2,500, not including the debutante’s ball gown and hair and makeup. The Culture Trip says debuts can cost thousands of dollars. “Julienne 18th Birthday_41” by Impact Sounds on Flickr is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. The preparation for the cotillion starts months in advance, with hiring a choreographer, practicing the performance with the debutante’s friends and figuring out the cotillion member’s outfits. Nowadays, many cotillion’s incorporate modern songs in their performance. After the cotillion’s grand entrance, they usually perform a rehearsed dance number that includes the waltz or salsa. The debutante chooses male and female friends to make up nine pairs (including the debutante). The cotillion de honor is usually the highlight of the celebration. As they give her the gifts, they may share some advice to guide her into adulthood or a little anecdote about the gift. They are asked to give her meaningful gifts or ones that represent her personality. The 18 treasures portion usually includes elder members of the debutante’s family and friends. The candles symbolize the light the debutante will take in her journey to adulthood. Each person will say a little speech giving her advice and well-wishes to take with her as she grows older. The 18 candles part of the program includes the debutante’s closest female relatives and friends. After she’s given a rose, she has a dance about a minute long with whoever gave her the flower before moving to the next person. “Julienne 18th Birthday_54” by Impact Sounds on Flickr is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.įor the 18 roses segment, the debutante receives a rose from 18 of the most important men in her life. The program usually includes 18 roses, 18 candles, 18 treasures and a cotillion de honor. The debutante wears a grand ball gown and invites her family and friends to the party. The celebration has become less marriage-oriented and more about the debutante’s life and her becoming an adult.

Today, the age of marriage is much higher for women, but the traditions of a debut carry on. According to an article from PhilStar, the tradition of the debut came after Spanish colonization where Spainards would present a young 15-year-old girl to society as eligible for marriage.

Originally, debuts were a way of introducing a young lady to society as a woman who is now ready for marriage at the age of 18, the Culture Trip says.

It’s similar to the quinceañera in parts of Latin America or debutante balls in the U.S. A debut is a traditional Filipino coming-of-age celebration that occurs when a young lady turns 18.

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