Unique Debut Activities in the Philippines

• What is Debut?

According to Wikipedia, the debut is a traditional Filipino coming – of – age celebration which celebrates a young woman’s 18^th birthday, the age of maturity in the Philippines.

This is one of the milestone of every girl. This marks her metamorphosis from being a child to adulthood. And as tradition in our country, this caused for a big celebration. Oftentimes, party was being thrown with unique program and themes according to the debutante’s choice. And with these, different 18’s something arrives.

With the digital world now, even the program of a debut party innovates. Before we only had 18 candles and 18 roses. But at times passed by, different 18 ideas was added into the traditional debut program. Some of it were depending on the chosen theme.

Here are the list;

The 18 Roses

   - This signify the debutante’s readiness for love and romance.

   - 18 men are each given a single rose meant to be given to the debutante once they dance with her. The debutante takes turns in dancing with each until she receives all 18 roses. Usually accompanied by sweet music.

  - The 18 men for this ceremony usually consists of the debutante’s male family members and relatives, her closest male friends, and her significant other. In most cases, the father takes the place of 18^th rose.

The 18 Candles

- From romance to wisdom, The 18 candles signify the debutante’s road to bright future.

- 18 women will be given to lit candles and take turns in giving their speeches, usually containing advice for the debutante. After giving messages, the women place the candles next to the debutante’s birthday cake and she proceeds to blow them out.

- The 18 women must be important to debutante’s life. As per tradition, the mother will be the first to give a speech, followed by aunts, best friends, etc.

The 18 Treasures

- This symbolize the important instruments that the debutante might need in her path to womanhood.

- The people chosen for this will take turns in showing the debutante their gift and will proceed to give a short speech about this gift’s significance to the debutante’s life.

- The people in the 18 treasures can vary gender – wise. But it is advisable for the debutante to pick the people who are very special to her since these treasures will be regarded as such in her life.

Although these three rituals are considered essential and traditional in every debut, it does not mean that you have to limit your rituals to them. Some organizers or even debutante themselves come up with new and fresh 18’s rituals guaranteed to spice up a party.

Here are some contemporary 18’s ritual ideas that are slowly garnering a lot of hype.

18 Shots

- Similar to giving a toast, this ceremony is an expression of honor and goodwill towards the debutante.

- 18 people take turns in drinking any alcoholic beverage in the party but wine is commonly used. This is usually accompanied by a speech.

- The participants may vary gender – wise, but are usually the debutante’s aunts and uncles or close friends.

18 Blue Bills

- This symbolize financial stability and independence. They are also known as “the 18 thousands” and are among the most recent rituals in debut parties.

- Each participant pins a thousand peso bill on the debutante’s dress while she is dancing with her escorts.

- People to choose - aunts, uncles, godparents are commonly chosen to participate in this ceremony.

18 Shoes

        - This is where the debutante ask for different kind of shoes she loves.                 Normally accompanied by speech in which the participant will explain why he/she it.

        - This consist of boys and girls, all boys or all girls depending on the debutante’s choice.

Others;

    18 Fireflies – usually used for butterfly themed debut. Instead of using candles, they may use fireflies.

    18 Rolls of Dice – for casino themed party. This symbolizes your guests wishing you luck in every endeavour

    18 Wines – same with 18 shots. In here, instead of drinking a shot of wine, a bottle of wine is given to the debutante.

    18 Torches – this can be used to replace 18 candles for a sporty themed debut party.

    18 Balloons – same with 18 candles

There are a lot of activities you can do to a debut party. Just let your creative imagination run into you. Go beyond boundaries and let your heart out. Be wild and expand your ideas. And most importantly let the debutante decide on what she really wants. Besides, it’s her party! Let her rule and own it! :)

Source :  Wordpress.com ; Debutideas.com