

The candles are 18 important females to the debutante, that give a short speech full of love and birthday wishes. The roses are 18 male figures in the debutantes lives, that present her with a rose, and in exchange the pair share a short dance. The other two components are the 18 roses and the 18 candles. “Its one of the few parts of a traditional debut that I decided to keep because it has all of my good friends on the court and my mom told me that those are the people you want to keep in your life forever,” Andrada said. This kicks off the evening, as the debutante enters with eight pairs of guys and girls dancing their way into the night.

There is the cotillion or formal court, in which the debutante makes her grand entrance along with an escort. There are three major traditions as part of the marathon party that is a debut. Andrada with escort, Mikayla Ortiz Photo courtesy of Kiara Andrada “ an 18th birthday celebration for Filipino girls, kind of like a coming-of-age celebrating their introduction to society,” Saclauso said. American birthdays usually consist of Costco cake and out of tune renditions of “Happy Birthday.” Three MC seniors, Lauren Saclauso, Arianne Oabel, and Kiara Andra, each closed out 2017 with their 18th birthdays, and welcomed in the new year by partaking in the Filipino tradition of the debut. Birthdays also provide an excuse to be showered with gifts and attention.

Each successive birthday marks new opportunities: 16 means driving, 17 means R rated movies, 18 means lotto tickets, voting, and big kids jail.
