18th Program

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