Debut Season Throwback

Because of the fact that I haven't posted in a while, you are getting this long ass post about the 'Debut Season' which started this time last year. [trust me, it's worth the read ;)] Four of my closest friends and I turned 18 last year. To celebrate this specific milestone, it is tradition for female Filipinos to customarily throw a large party to commemorate this coming of age. All of us made sure we kept the tradition alive by putting in the conventions of a 'Debut' to our party. We all had our 'Grand Cotillion Dance' along with our entourages that were carefully hand picked; '18 Roses Dance' where the debutant dances with 18 males who's close to them and of course the father and daughter dance; '18 Candles' to which 18 individuals wishes the celebrant; and the optional '18 Treasures' where 18 close friends and/or family gives the debutant a meaningful gift. The five debut parties were a great excuse to dress up, wear heels, dance and celebrate the night away.

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1. Cheska [29.09.13]

Starting off the season was Cheska's 18th at Waltham Forest Town Hall. This beautiful 20th century architecture held around 300 to 400 of Cheska's guests. The venue was so big, both inside and out and the decorations were simple yet elegant. My friend Cheska entered wearing a stunning blue gown along side her brother, which was her escort for the night. Towards the middle of the night, she wore this orangey coral gown which has got to be my favourite. We, her guests, had the dress code of silver and black, and this made her stand out more. Oh and her mum's dress was so gorgeous, I was so jealous. ahaha!

The program wasn't too long and the food was so tasty. Cheska performed a dance routine and also sang a song from 'Annie'. That was the first time we heard her sing and oh my she CAN sing. At the end of the night, we had a disco part where everyone filled up the dance floor. The music choice was so good, there wasn't one dull moment. Cheska's friends were so pumped up and everyone was just so friendly and happy. The disco part was my favourite part as it made the night even greater than it already was. Kicking off the Debut season, Cheska definitely did not disappoint. Go big or go home right? ahah!

Because Cheska's party was in London and she wanted/invited us to come, she offered us to stay at her house for the night after her party. The after party at her house was so fun! We drank, played games and just chilled. The company was most probably why it was such a nice night. In the afternoon of the next day, we've all decided to walk around London, see the sights and eat somewhere. Lucky for us, the good ol British weather was nice enough to give us some sunlight.

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2. Me [05.10.13]

 Okay so it's time to talk about my birthday. Be warned, this WILL be long..

 Luckily enough, my actual birthday landed on a saturday, hence we booked the venue on that day. The preparation for this one night took almost a year and most of the decorations were bought in Philippines when we went back for a vacation; a month before Cheska's birthday.

I knew I wanted to wear red as it's my favourite colour. Therefore, I made all the decorations black and white, and a black and white dress code for my guests so I'll pop. ahah! My red dress was designed by my mother and I, inspired by the Sherri Hill dresses. The actual piece itself is a playsuit and there are two detachable skirts on top of it. I didn't really want to change so mum and I thought it'd be best to have an interchangeable one. My shoes are Carvela which costed £100.

I awkwardly entered the venue on my own as my escort, Dan, waited for me by the stage. My cotillioners/entourage stood to create a walkway for me. I have never felt so nervous before I walked in to that room. My mother, my auntie and those who helped organise made sure I had no idea what the program is, which made me scared and nervous even more. When I entered, everyone clapped and oh I felt so loved ahaha! The one day I can feel like a celebrity. It was great!

 After everyone had finished eating, the program started out with the '18 Treasures'. I have carefully hand picked these beautiful women as they have inspired me in many ways. Each individual in this photograph has definitely supported me and taught me so many things. Every gift was so thoughtful and meaningful and I am eternally grateful.

 Moving on to the next part was the '18 Roses'. Now this was fun. With my twin 'brothers' playing the saxophone for the music, I danced with these men that I've picked that have known me for most of my life. After I danced with everyone, Dan, my escort, gave my hand to my dad where we began the infamous father and daughter dance. Micheall and Marlon, the twins, played 'Dance with my Father' on the sax. I was definitely very emotional at this point. Little did the guests know, my dad and I have devised a routine to break the seriousness of the slow waltz. I was so glad my dad was willing to do the soulja boy, dougie, and the carlton dance with me. Everyone was in hysterics and safe to say, they were definitely surprised. Once the danced finished, my father decided to propose a toast to everyone. My dad has always been great with speeches and I was so glad he made one for me.

 Here comes the most emotional part of that evening. The '18 Candles'. I really didn't expect to cry as much as I did at that moment. My best friend Gellie started off the wishes/speeches and she also triggered mine and her tears. After that, everyone in my 'candles' were so emotional and I'm pretty sure I cried for every speech. Every single one was so meaningful and lovely ahh I'm getting choked up just rethinking about it. Right before the speeches started, I was shown a video compilation of people I care about from Philippines wishing me happy birthday. this made me so emotional and happy and I was so grateful to have that lil video.

After the speeches, I went over to the cake as the sang me happy birthday, made a wish and blew out my candles.

Then, my beautiful mother, out of nowhere, sang a song dedicated to me. She can actually sing and I'm still annoyed I didn't get that gene. ahah

To finish off the program, I let down my hair and we did the 'Grand Cotillion Dance'. We dance to three different songs and genre: 'Tale as old as Time', 'Bust Your Windows', 'Suit and Tie' and 'Down'. It took weeks to learn this choreography and I remember how much I've enjoyed the practises. [Thanks to Tita Malou]

My cotillioners/entourages were my closest friends and through the practises and life in general, they have been so lovely to me. The dresses that the girls wore were also designed by my mother and I and they all looked hella fiinnee. It was so fun getting ready with them, get our hair and makeup done together, so girly and so cute.

Straight after the dance, my parents and I made one last speech to thank everybody that came. Especially those who've travelled from across the country to get there. And of course my cousin and auntie, whom I haven't seen for about 9 years, flew in from America to surprise me on the day of my birthday.

After the speech, we turned down the lights, turned up the music and danced the night away. Everyone invaded the photo booth and the whole night was so carefree. I have to say it felt too quick. But I've definitely enjoyed every part of that night and it will be one I'll remember forever.

Tiziana's 18th Highlights Video

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3. Gellie [08.11.13]

Oh man.. my bestie Gellie's 18th was so cute! When she entered with that yellow gown to the song 'Yellow' by Coldplay, I was in such an awe of her beauty. The whole venue was blue and the yellow was a nice contrast and she definitely stood out. The stage decoration was so beautiful and the food was delicious. [Hi Gellie! You better have read this far. lel. Luv chu!]

I was grateful to be part of Gellie's cotillion and candles. The night started off with the 'Grand Cotillion Dance'. We only rehearsed for a couple of days but we got it straight away. I was partnered up with Gellie's cousin, John [Cheska's Brother]. The song choice was genius; 'Moon River' and 'What a Wonderful World'. The dance was short but it was so so sweet.

Gotta admit.. it took me about 3 to 5 drafts to write up what to say to Gellie during the candles bit. Eventually I got the last draft on the day. I kinda wanted revenge for making me cry during her speech to me for my candles however, instead of making her cry, I was the one getting teary.

The program consisted a whole lot of performances which entertained us greatly. From Gellie's dad's singing, to Gellie's dancing and the lads performing 'Treasure' after the 18 treasures. The last dance was my favourite by far. Gellie danced to 'Time of my Life' right before the disco part. This was hella genius. Last dance in Dirty Dancing and last dance of the program. Right after the dance, Gellie unexpectedly pulled me out from the crowd to pull people in to start the disco.

And as per usual, we danced the night away and took lots of photos. Lil G Dawg's night was just so cute.  

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4. Vina [15.11.13]

Let me start by saying that Vina's decoration game was hella strong. The centre pieces, the ice sculptures, the disco lights, foam and smoke machine and the rest of the table decorations completely transformed the room. It was amazing. Vina's gowns were so big and grand and she just looked like a princess.

Vina has chosen me to be on her cotillion and candles and I am so grateful to be a part of that. It was so nice to meet her friends and banter with them during the dance practises and during the party. I was partnered up with my bro RC and even though the choreography was a lil complicated, we finally pushed through and got it in the end.

For the candles, I had so many things I wanted to say and so many amazing memories I wanted to bring up but I didn't exactly want to hog the mic and ramble on so I made sure to make it short but sweet. By the time I got to Vina, she was already emotional so I altered my speech a lil to make her giggle and smile and she did.

The program was all around adorable. She received messages from Philippines that greeted her happy birthday, including ate Lhey. Her little sister Kym sang and played the ukulele for her which was absolutely adorable. And Vina and some of her friends choreographed a pretty badass routine to 'Booty Work' right before the disco part. 

The company was great and I was so happy to finally wear my red, 'Devil Wears Prada' but not really Prada heels that night. The whole day was so fun. From the hair and makeup done for us at her house, to the food, to the end of the night, it was surely memorable.

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5. Noella [16.11.13]

Noella's 18th was the finale of the Debut season, and what a brilliant way to end it. Located in a hall underground a hotel, held Noella's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' themed debut. Beautiful Noella entered in this emerald gown which fit the theme perfectly.

I was again asked to be a part in Noella's cotillion and candles and of course I was very much grateful to be a part of that. I didn't expect to get emotional but I cried during the '18 Roses' when she danced with her uncle, who travelled to be there for Noella.

For the '18 Candles', I wrote down a speech for Noella however at the last minute I decided to wing it and just speak from the heart. It was scary because I didn't want to miss out anything important I've wanted to say. Right before each person in the '18 Candles' the hosts read out a statement that Noella has written for us, explaining why we're in her candle. This was unexpected but it was so sweet.

The cotillion dance was cute. Although there was only 10 of us in total, it made it more intimate and made the practises a lot more fun. We tangoed to Kanye West's song 'Black Skinhead' and it was awesome and unique. I was partnered up with my friend JC.

AJ and I wanted to do something special so we danced to one of Noella's favourite EXO song as a surprise. Claisse and I also played the guitar and sang 'She Will be Loved' for Noella due to the fact that she asked us to perform something for her.

Everyone had an amazing time and there were so many laughs and smiles. That night was so enchanting. What a great finale indeed. :D

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To conclude, everyone's debut parties were completely different and unique from each other. Despite the endless preparation and money spent just for one night, it was definitely worth it. We've had the best time being surrounded by friends and family to celebrate our birthday. This Filipino tradition is one of the those things that we are grateful to have.