Talk:Philippine debut

Clean-up and citations please

The Philippine Debut is a cultural tradition of the Filipino people.[1] It is a coming-of-age celebration for Philippine women that is somewhat reminiscent of the Spanish tradition of the "Quinceanera" celebration. The difference between the Spanish Quinceanera and the Philippine Debut is the age at which the celebration takes place. The Philippine debut celebrates a woman entering into her 18th year, while the Spanish Quineanera takes place on a young lady's 15th birthday.

--I would say Philippine debuts are actually more similar to western debutante balls (such as those common in the southern states in the US) than to Spanish quinceaneras. The Philippine debut, like its western counterparts, is a presentation of the celebrant to her community, declaring her to be formally and legally an adult (Philippine legal age is 18), ergo of marriageable status. The quinceanera on the other hand, although also declaring the celebrant no longer a child, does not literally imply her marriageability. The image of a quinceanera dressed up as a bride, but with her mother presenting her a "last doll" and her father putting on her big girl shoes for her readily says, "You are no longer a child, but you are still OUR child" (Alvarez). At 15, a typical Latina has only begun menstruating (Alvarez). At 18, a Filipina, besides long having had her first menstruation, has already graduated from secondary school and is in the middle of college or working already or both.

On their 18th birthday, Philippine women throw a large party, complete with her own hand-picked debut court of 18 people. These 18 are 9 males and 9 females who the celebrant pairs off into partners. The celebrant's court usually wears a uniform formal outfit chosen by the celebrant similar to that of a wedding party, while the celebrant typically wears an extravagant ball gown.

--Traditionally I believe the court was composed of 18 COUPLES, not 18 individuals. Nowadays, however, debuts forgo this portion. Also, the "extravagance" of a gown or dress a debutante wears is relative to the current fashion or to the theme of the party. For example: we saw a lot of poufy sleeves and skirts, bright colors and black tights with cocktail dresses in the 80's, as compared to the cleaner but edgier design of nowadays.

The birthday celebrant along with her partner and court perform traditional debut dances for their guests. It is common for the debutante and her court to perform Filipino Folk Dances such as the Tinikling[2], even wearing the traditional Filipino folk clothing. The most important dance that the celebrant and her court performs is known as the "Grand Cotillion Dance" which is usually a classic waltz. There is also an "18 Roses Dance" where 18 males picked by the celebrant before-hand dance with her after presenting her with a single red rose. This dance is almost always preceded with the memorable "Father and Daughter Dance".

--First of all, it is Cotillion de Honor, not Grand Cotillion Dance. Secondly, most debuts nowadays also forgo this portion. Thirdly, the father, and for that matter, the brothers, uncles and godfathers are almost always included already anyway in the 18 Roses. Last and most important of all, I have NEVER heard of a "TRADITION" where a debutante and her court perform a folk dance (??) complete with costume(???) at such a celebration. Group dances or cotillions in a debut depends entirely on the wishes of the party's host. It can be anything: a folk dance, a waltz, or an off-the-wall groundbreaking hip-hop number ala Step Up if you may.

During the celebration, the debutante also has 18 chosen "candles". These "candles" are females who know the celebrant and must give a short speech on either their relationship with the celebrant and/or any special birthday wishes they have for their celebrant. After all the food, entertainment, and Philippine Debut traditions for this wonderful occasion has gone under way, the celebrant brings the celebration to a close with a Debutante's speech in which she shares her life experience and gratitude with her beloved guests.

-By tradition, the 18 candles are females. Nowadays, however, all portions of the Philippine debut, be it Roses or Candles, or for that matter, Gifts, Treasures, Shots, Flowers, Dance and what have you, can be unisex, depending on the wishes of the celebrant.

From someone who was actually once a debutante, Sandra5482 (talk) 14:28, 21 August 2008 (UTC)

The Filipino Debut Worldwide

I've realized that we should also take into consideration the fact that there is a huge number of nuclear and extended Filipino families living abroad---maybe the author of this article or someone who lives abroad could write a section of how the debut is celebrated in their area? For sure there will be deviations from how it is done here in the Philippines. For example, I've heard from friends and family in the States that the Filipino debut there of late has been heavily influenced by the Latino quinceanera, largely because there are no professional event organizers catering to the Filipino debut (on the other hand, the quinceanera in the US is fast becoming a large enterprise).

Sandra5482 (talk) 09:59, 6 March 2009 (UTC)

Canada viewpoint: From one who is a godmother to a young Filipina woman and step-grandma to two teenagers , i must appaud the comments and corrections made by the previous editor. The eighteen year old young women have a wonderful evening for their 18th birthday and young girls from other cultures should envy the lavish attention and love bestowed upon daughters in Filipina families. The 18 candles ceremony and 18 roses ceremony and 18 gifts ceremony are all part of the event in Western Canada - the candles, gifts being presented by female friends and roses being from male friends or relatives. The father-daughter dance brings tears to everyone's eyes as this is a precursor to the next milestone in the girl's life - her wedding and dear dad is well aware of the passing of time. There is no folk-dance with costumes!! This is 2009, for heavens sakes! While many wonder - often aloud - at the sanity of spending thousands of dollars on a birthday party, I for one have utmost respect for parents who are not afraid to show the world just how much they will sacrifice for their child. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 96.48.140.116 (talk) 22:58, 20 October 2009 (UTC)

What about the boys...?

Is there a particular ceremony or rite of passage celebration for Filipino boys too? If not, why not?--Splashen (talk) 02:26, 9 October 2010 (UTC)

Apparently, young Filipino men celebrate their debuts at age 21, but I have no official source. It is not celebrated like you would a young Filipino woman's debut. A more recognized rite of passage among young Filipino men is the "TULI" or circumsicion. Sandra5482 (talk) 05:08, 21 December 2010 (UTC)