Filipina Debut, 18th Birthday, Debutante, Celebration, Party

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Outstanding Father & Daughter Dance
(Click on link to see a very nice and memorable dance from Jessica's 18th Birthday Party Debutante Party.)

Debutante (or Deb) (French word for “female beginner”) is a young lady from an aristocratic or upper class family who as reached the age of maturity, and as a new adult, is introduced to society at a formal presentation known as her “debut” or “coming out.” Originally, it meant the young woman was eligible for marriage, and part of the purpose was to display her to eligible bachelors and their families with a view to marriage within a select upper class circle. This event is traditionally referred to as The Debutante’s Ball.

In the Philippines, a debutante’s ball is very popular and widely celebrated when young Filipina teenager turns 18.

The highlight of a debutante’s ball is known as The Grand Cotillion Dance where the Debutante, with an escort, share a waltz dance with the elegantly-dressed cotillion court composed of her friends of 9 boys and 9 girls. A special cotillion choreographer is normally hired by the debutante’s parent to teach the un-experienced boys and girls to perform a highly-choreographed waltz dance. Practices for the dance can last for 6 months and normally held in the debutante’s residence every weekend.

The other popular dance is The 18 Roses Dance where the Debutante shares a memorable dance with 18 men with each one offering a freshly-cut red beautiful rose. The father of the debutante is typically the first one to dance, often called The Father and Daughter Dance. The Debutante picks the 18 songs to play and the participants normally include relatives, friends, godfathers, neighbors and acquaintances.

Next of the tradition is The 18 Candles Presentation, wherein 18 ladies will light 18 candles to resemble the 18 lights that will serve as guidance to the debutante as she makes her transition to the status of a full grown woman. Sometimes, the 18-lighted candles are the candles that the debutante blows before she cuts the cake. Most often, the mother of the debutante is the last of the 18 candles participants. Each participant also says a word, a congratulatory note or wishes to the debutante.

A new activity that we have seen lately is what others call The 18 Symbolic Treasures, where 18 participants, mostly family friends and relatives, as well as godmothers and godfathers, offer a gift to the debutante. A perfect gift is something that the Debutante can treasure as she moves on to college and started to live as a young woman.

The last of the tradition is A Word From The Debutante, where the Debutante shares her thoughts of probably one of the most memorable times of here life.

Likewise, a debutante’s ball is a way for the parent to showcase to the society their daughter’s talents or specials sills like dancing, singing or playing instruments and other talents she possesses.

The debutante’s ball normally concludes with hours of dancing enjoyed by both the adults and teenagers.

The following is the typical Debutante’s Ball Agenda

INTRODUCTION OF THE COTILLION COURT, THE FAMILY, ESCORT, AND THE DEBUTANTE

TOAST IN HONOR OF THE DEBUTANTE

WELCOME REMARKS BY THE PARENTS

INVOCATION OR PRAYER

DINING TIME

VIDEO PRESENTATION

THE FATHER AND DAUGHTER DANCE

GRAND COTILLION WALTZ DANCE

COTILLION COURT SPECIAL DANCES

18 ROSES DANCE

18 CANDLES PRESENTATION

SINGING OF THE TRADITIONAL BIRTHDAY SONG

BLOWING OF THE CAKE CANDLES

CUTTING OF THE CAKE

18 TREASURES PRESENTATION

A WORD FROM THE DEBUTANTE

DANCING TIME

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Economy Photo & Video Package – $900.00

This package is great if you want quality pictures and video at a budget price!

1. Three (3) hours of photo & video coverage at one (1) location. ($200.00 per hour thereafter, if needed.) 2. Two (2) edited DVD's. 4. Unlimited number of pictures taken. Proof album with (100) 4 x 6 prints. 3. CD of all your full-resolution images that you can use to get prints from anywhere. (You may also order prints and albums from us at any time in the future.)

Premium Video & Photo Package – $1,300.00

This package includes (1) album and a framed 11 x 14 picture.

For your special event you get:

1. Five (5) hours of video and photo coverage at one (2) locations. ($200.00 per hour thereafter, if needed.) 2. Two DVDs with editing, personalized label and jewel case. 3. CD of all your full-resolution images available within a few days of the event so you can get your images printed anywhere you want. 4. Proof book with (200) 4 x 6 prints.

Deluxe Video & Photo Package – $1,700.00

This package includes (2) albums and a framed 16 x 20 picture.

With this upgraded package you get six hours of coverage at three (3) locations. The DVD is fully edited with titles included. A CD of all your full-resolution images available within a few days of the event; and (2) DVD copies with personalized label. You also get a 10x10 Digital Photobook and a Proof album with (200) 4 x 6 prints.

Ultimate (Plus) Video & Photo Package – $2,700.00

This package includes (2) albums and a 16 x 20 framed picture.

With this ultimate package you get 8 hours of coverage at up to 4 locations on the day of the event. We will start taking pictures at the house a few hours before the event, then we follow the limousine to the beach and/or park for pictures, then we go to the reception site. You also get a Pre-Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Quince or Sweet 16 photo session. About a month before the event the photographer will accompany you to beach or park for a one-hour photo shoot. This is a great opportunity for the formal Bima shots and rehearsal at the Temple. You may choose one of these pictures to be enlarged to 16 x 20 fully-framed for display at the reception. You also get a 12 x 12 Coffee Table album and a Proof album with (200) 4 x 6 prints. We will also create a Photo Show (on DVD with background music) with some of the pre-party pictures, as well as about 10 pictures of you growing up. This Photo Show will play on your television, but you can also show it on a projector at the reception. You get five fully-edited DVD copies with personalized label and jewel case.

Photo Show on Projection Screen – $250.00

The photographer takes 25 to 30 pictures and produces a beautiful photo show with your choice of background music. Includes titles and special effects! This photo show will be played on a projection TV at your event. DVD ONLY (for you to play at the event): $75.00 – we will produce the photo show but you provide the projector.