Reflecting on my debut celebration, I can't help but smile as I think back on my debut celebration and all the amazing memories created that night. I felt the warmth of friends, family, and excitement as I stepped into that beautiful cocktail gown, and it feels like that was yesterday. That filled the entire space, was filled with joy and love. The dance floor was alive with energy as I made treasured memories with people who greatly enhanced my life. Revisiting the wonderful day, I understand how lucky I was to take part in such a memorable celebration of existence, affection, and development. It wasn't solely about reaching a new age, it was about valuing the connections I had and the fresh experiences that lay ahead at 18.
Hello everyone! Welcome to another episode of my blog this week. For today’s topic, I’d like to look back on a once-in-a-lifetime celebration in my life, my debut. I miss the feeling of being a teenager since I’m already in the adulting stage of my life. Keep reading!
At first, I didn’t plan on having a debut celebration when I turned 18. However, my friends constantly convinced me to have an intimate celebration since it’s a once-in-a-lifetime event. I was hesitant at first because, to me, having a debut seemed too expensive, it really requires financial resources to make your dream debut come true. Fortunately, I’m lucky to have supportive friends, and my family also pitched in a little money to help create a DIY debut celebration.
I remember, this photoshoot was totally unexpected. It was very sudden and never part of my original plans. My senior high school circle of friends were the ones who managed to organize this photoshoot for souvenirs and my tarpaulin. We went to RD Place to have it shot. My friend Lyanne did my makeup, Carlyn was the one who took the pictures, and the twins, Joy and Lyn, were the ones who chose what I should wear and how I should pose.
As a big fan of “The Heirs”, I decided to make my debut theme "Dream Catcher," with a color motif in shades of purple, since purple is my favorite color. As you can see, this fondant cake was made by my Aunt Liezl. The keychain souvenirs were made at a photo shop in Danao City, but the cute glass souvenirs were handmade by me and my friends. Since my friends were the ones who truly organized my debut, I’m incredibly grateful to them. My parents contributed by providing money to pay for and buy the materials needed, and they also took care of preparing the food.
For my debut glam, my classmate Kezziah Joyce was the one who made me look beautiful throughout the entire event. And guess what? This amazing glam was done for free! She told me that it was her way of saying thank you because I always helped her academically. I never imagined that I would find a friend like her. I didn’t ask for anything in return; it’s simply my nature to help others who need it.
As for the design of the 18 candles and 18 drinks, my friends were the ones who created it, including the invitation cards. I helped them out, but sometimes they told me not to, as there were surprises planned. They also took care of the VTR videos and the flow of the program. They only instructed me to make a list for the 18 roses, 18 candles, 18 drinks, 18 blue bills, and to finalize the guest list.
A big thanks to this friend of mine because all the snaps you see here were taken by him. Since we didn’t hire a photographer to maximize the budget, he kindly offered to take the photos so I could have some memories of my debut.
I invited my junior high school circle of friends. This is an incomplete picture because some of my friends were busy or had errands to run. However, I’m still happy and grateful that they were able to attend my birthday. I remember this was the first time we saw each other after graduating from junior high school. I miss being with them because they made my junior high school years so memorable. We still keep in touch, but it’s almost been a year since we last saw each other.
Since then, I’ve always felt like "one of the boys." Naturally, I invited my male friends to my debut celebration. There were actually quite a few, but some of them arrived a bit late to the party. That's why, in the pictures, you'll only see my "early bird" friends. These guys aren't just friends; they’re also part of my performing arts family, my dance troupe. I’m so happy they made it to my debut! It was a true joy to see them after some time apart. I guess my debut ended up being a kind of bridge that brought us all together again, reconnecting old friends and sharing new memories.
And of course, I also invited some of my senior high school friends. They really made my senior high school years bearable and memorable. While some of them weren’t able to attend, I didn’t mind; I was just happy to see my friends enjoying the day, surrounded by their own friends. It was such a warm feeling to have everyone there, and it made me realize how much these friendships have shaped my life. Interestingly, some of my senior high school classmates were actually classmates of mine back when I was in kindergarten and elementary school. It was incredible to see how we all reconnected after so many years, creating even more memories together.
My debut was held at our house, and it was during this time that my 18 candles gave their heartfelt messages to me. I was teary-eyed because I never expected such beautiful words from them. They even thanked me for being kind and supportive to them, and it was overwhelming to hear how much they appreciated me. I never imagined having this kind of genuine friendship. Over the years, they’ve all remembered me for who I truly am, and that means so much to me. I’ve always been fragile when it comes to friendships, which is why, in my perspective, I don’t have just one best friend because all of them are my best friends. Each one holds a special place in my heart, and I’m so grateful for their presence in my life.
I miss being with them so much today. Spending time with them was truly one of the most bearable and meaningful moments of my life. Some of them were unexpected friends, while others became my closest companions, and most of them remain my trusted friends to this day. Even though we don’t reconnect as often through social media, they always make an effort to check in and ask how I’m doing. I understand that we’re all busy chasing our own paths for the future, but I hope that when that future finally arrives, they’ll still remember me and the bond we shared.
Behind all the memories of my debut, it’s my friends who made everything possible. I’m always so grateful to them because, without their help, this debut wouldn’t have happened. Even though we were all stressed about our upcoming exams, they still managed to find the time to help me organize my celebration. It may have been a simple event, but these people made it feel extravagant with their love, support, and effort. I will always be thankful to them for making this day so special.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read and connect with my thoughts today. I’m excited to continue sharing my journey with you, and I hope you found something here that resonated or sparked an idea. This blog is a space for growth, inspiration, and conversation, and I’d love to hear your thoughts, feedback, or experiences in the comments. Feel free to share if something stood out to you. Here’s to many more stories, lessons, and moments of connection ahead! See you in the next post!