THE OPENING PRAYER

"GOD of all creation, worthy of our praise, we are grateful for Your presence in this evening’s celebration of
life. We thank You for this opportunity in bringing us together and share a glorious event that marks the 18th
birthday of LIZETTE.

Oh Heavenly Father, You are the source of all our strength. May you bestow upon us Your Divine Grace. May
You bring forth success in this night’s activities and guide us as we partake in this festive occasion.

All of us here tonight share the same prayer for LIZETTE, that she may achieve her dreams and aspirations in
life. That God will grant her the realization of her heart’s desires and blessed her with abundance... may it be
financial or spiritual.

May our Loving and Generous God, offer her the virtue of kindness, patience, honesty, understanding,
perseverance and all the goodness that may be pleasing to others and most especially, to Your holiness.

We thank You for giving her 18 years of blissful yet challenging years. As she enters another fruitful phase in
life, guide her way leading to the righteous path and protect her against imperfections that may hinder success
and true happiness.

We praise You, Lord for surrounding her with love from family, relatives and friends. Their presence in her life
makes the person she is now. They are the wind beneath her wings. They will always be there to support and
direct her journey through life.

Tonight, we ask for Your ever gracious hand to bless every gift to be offered and sanctify every wish to be
uttered.

Almighty God, fill our hearts with Your love, faithfulness and mercy as we gather in Your Name and bless the
meal that we will share in this joyful evening.

We entrust all our prayers unto You in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, AMEN."

The Invitation Wordings:

“As I enter a new phase in my life, I will leave the memories of my past behind but a fresh beginning awaits
me. My journey will continue moving forward yet the lessons I've learned will guide my present and direct my
future. I know that not all good things happen as I wish it would, but I believe that God will take me to the
world I most deserved. I owe this eighteenth year of my existence to my family, relatives and friends who
dearly care a lot. Your presence in my life completes me as a person.”

So, join me
as I bid farewell to my childhood
and take my very first step to womanhood
Let’s celebrate my

18th Birthday

with a Dinner Dance Party

on
Saturday, November 16, 2013
 5 O’clock in the afternoon
at the
Main Hall, Multi-Purpose Center
Camp Crame, Quezon City

ATTIRE: Formal
(Any color preferably Black or White except Teal Blue and Lilac)

18 CANDLES

18 candles will be lit up by 18 of the debutante’s closest friends and relatives. Every candle symbolizes a year
of her existence. Each one will be a visible reminder of LIZETTE’s triumph over challenges in life… serves as
eternal lamp that brings her optimistic view of the world she’s about to enter and a guiding light that gives her a
sense of direction.

1. Julius Puquiz - For long life

2. Gilbert Oguin - For good health

3. Arianne Macaraeg - For financial independence

4. Jasmine Rabe - For spiritual enlightenment

5. Valerie Lariga - For peace of mind

6. M.C. Hernandez - For strength and determination

7. Antonette Encarna - For courage and will power

8. Blessie Calderon - For knowledge enrichment

9. Catherine Cantoria- For her safe travels to see the beauty of the world

10. Hazel Offemaria - For success and genuine happiness

11. Hyacinth Mationg - For her family’s unity and harmony

12. Kristel Botana - For stronger friendship ties

13. Alyana and Aysha Reyes - For social awareness and concern

14. Laurice Alfonso - For everlasting love

15. CJ Sarmiento - For enhancement of her talents and skills

16. Ada Enriquez - For her everlasting beauty

17. Kyla Ancheta - For more opportunities to come

18. Mich Magos - For her purpose driven life

 18 ROSES

18 roses will be handed to her by 18 dearest men in LIZETTE’s life. They will dance with her, one after the
other with the tune of her most favorite romantic songs.

Now, let’s explore the richness of Rose’s meaning and its lush symbolism.

1. BALANCE - to remain upright and steady

Jobi Bermudez - older cousin, a 4th year BS Information Technology student at STI, Concepcion,
Marikina. He’s very close to Lizette even though they seldom get a chance to see each other. They can
update their status via Facebook. They are often times being mistaken as BF-GF.

2. FAITH – strong belief on something

Janjan Bermudez - older cousin, a 4th year BS Information technology student at Polytechnic
University of the Philippines. They go to the same University but rarely see each other in the campus but
when their Tita Alice calls for a get together… it’s bonding time to the max.

3. HONOR – high respect

Kiko Bermudez - her youngest brother who is currently in Nursery at La Immaculada Concepcion
School. He’s super excited to dance with her Ate and even practiced a number of times just for this most
anticipated moment.

4. DEVOTION – overwhelming affection

Kd Bermudez - 3 ½ years younger than our debutant... is in 3rd Year High School at La Immaculada
Concepcion School. He’s a 9Gag enthusiast. Being so telegenic and photogenic as well, he has been
dubbed as good-looking guy with a killer smile. (Smile naman jan…)

5. TIMELESSNESS – a state of eternal existence

Clarence Magos - her younger cousin who studies at Accelerated Christian School through Special
Education. He is looking forward to this night. You can just see on his face how thrilled he is to perfect
his steps.

6. WISDOM – quality of being wise

Basti Sarmiento – is Lizette’s younger cousin who is currently in Grade 5 at Pasig Catholic College.
Basti has great interest in music. He plays drums… loves to sing and dance. Bruno Mars includes in his
fave artists.

7. RENEWAL – fresh or make strong again

Ken Milleza – is another younger cousin, 7th Grade at Pasig Catholic College. He’s into sports like
basketball and a certified table tennis champ.
8. LIGHT – illumination of brightness

Claurice Sta. Ana – a close friend of Lizette, a 2nd year college student at University of the East taking
up BS Information Technology. He’s a shout caster at TNC ( TheNet.Com) Gaming Events Team.

9. INNOCENCE – freedom from sin

Jayson Jalique – another close friend who is a 1st year college student at AMA taking up BS
Information Technology. He loves playing DOTA( Defense of The Ancients )

10. SACRIFICE – a surrender of something of value

Adrian Arroyo – one of Lizette’s closest friend who is also-known-as “MANOK”. He’s a basketball
player and coach at the same time. Lebrone James is his favorite NBA player.

11. HEALTH – a condition of optimal well--being

Karlo Santiago – is Lizette’s high school mate and becomes very close friend now in college. He
studies at University of the East taking up BS Tourism.

12. LOVE – intense emotional attachment or an expression of one’s affection

Kenneth Ramirez – is a 2nd year BSBA Marketing Management student at Pasig Catholic College. He
has been a friend of Lizette since high school and remains as close friend until now.

13. JOY – great happiness

Martin Macatangay – one of Lizette’s close friends in college. He also studies at Polytechnic
University of the Philippines. taking up BSBA majoring in Human Resource Development
Management, same course as Lizette’s.

14. BEAUTY – a quality of brilliance and originality, visibly pleasing

Earl Santos – is our debutant’s best friend who is presently an Information and Communication
Engineering Technology student at Rizal Technological University. He plays guitar.

15. PASSION – a deep overwhelming emotion or strong feeling of enthusiasm

Limar Macapinlac – her uncle or Tito who is very close to our debutant because of the small age
difference. They’re like barkadas and whenever they get the chance to spent time together like summer
outing and reunion, they always strike their best pose.

16. KINDNESS – a quality of being generous and considerate

DL De Asis – is Lizette’s uncle or Tito, who is fondly called DDEL by his pamangkins, an alumna of
Ateneo De Manila, graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Management Information
System… is currently a Systems Analyst at AIG Shared Services. He’s a music enthusiast and actually a
good singer in his own right.
 17. HOPE – a feeling of expectation, desire or trust and confidence

Dan De Asis – is the grandfather of our debutant. Lizette calls him DADDY, a School Service Operator
at Sacred Heart Academy of Pasig. He loves playing Candy Crush and watching sports on TV are some
of his favorite past time.

18. LIFE – the significance of existence in general

Ariel Bermudez – is the father of our debutant. She calls him PAPA, a Police Officer, currently
assigned at Camp Crame. He’s a big fan of basketball. He can hardly get over new wave era and the 80’s
music. Just like any other father, he has strict discipline but can be a warm companion especially when it
comes to food hopping. Lizette and her Papa have one thing in common, they love to eat.

Debut Programme, Flow

The following is a basic Debutante’s program:

 Introduction of the Debutante, her Escort and her Cotillion Court

 Toast in Honor of the Debutante
 Welcome Remarks (by the parents)
 Invocation or Prayer
 Dining
 Father and Daughter Dance
 Grand Cotillion Waltz Dance
 18 Roses Dance
 Presentation of 18 Candles
 Singing of Traditional Debutante’s Birthday Song
 Blowing of the Cake Candles
 Cutting of the Cake
 Presentation of 18 Treasures
 Games
 A Word from the Debutante
 Time to Party!

The debutante’s program can also flow like this:

 Arrival and welcoming of guests – guests are ushered to their designated seats
 Cocktails are offered to encourage guests to mingle – this takes your guests’ mind off waiting for your
grand entrance
 After everyone settles in their place, the host makes mention of important people who graced the
occasion (if there are).
 Drinks and appetizers are served
 Parents talk briefly about the debutante (about her achievements, goals, ambitions, etc.)
 Audio Visual Presentation of the debutante’s life from infancy to present
  Grand entrance of the debutante
 Parents talk some more about the debutante (optional)
 Toast in honor of the debutant
 The debutante makes a short opening remarks encouraging guests to enjoy the party
 Prayer
 Guests start their meal
 AVP of well-wishers
 Father and daughter dance (This may also be incorporated in the eighteen roses. Fathers are usually the
first or last dance of the debutante)
 Eighteen roses (audio of speech while dancing)
 Eighteen candles (speech)
 Singing of birthday song
 Cutting of birthday cake
 Games
 Introduction of the debutante, her escort and her cotillion court
 GRAND COTILLION WALTZ DANCE
 Debutante’s thank you speech
 Party time!

Other variations may be the following:

* The host will have a talk, more of like an introduction and a short summary of the program, a little talk on
what is in store for the guests so that they would be enticed into finishing and staying for the duration of the
party and making the party a success. The host need not mention the juicy parts (those surprise numbers and
whatnots)
* For parents who are shy to talk in front of a crowd, the host will do the introduction about the debutante.
There will be a little talk before the debutante is introduced. Probably the host may interview some guests and
probably ask them some unforgettable moments with the debutante.
* For the eighteen roses, each guy can give a note for the host to read while they are dancing. This can also be
recorded and played together with the background music while they dance.
* Cotillion can be danced at the end of the program after which everybody may dance and which may mark the
start of the dancing.
* The father or parents of the debutante will talk about the celebrant (you can make a Powerpoint or Flash
presentation for everyone to see that has baby pictures or some important milestones of the debutante’s life)
* Father dances with his daughter as a separate part of the program.
* Escort/ bf takes debutante for a dance then everyone dance after some time
* Some also incorporate 18 wines, 18 treasures, 18 gifts as a variation so that most of the guests would be able
to greet the debutante.
* Games are inserted on different parts of the program.

Here is a more detailed flow of program but the arrangement can be tweaked here and there according to
preference.

 Registration / arrival of guests / receiving of gifts / cocktails

 Guests settle on their seats
 Introduction of the 18th birthday celebrant by the emcee
 Acknowledgment of the parents and other VIPs
 Introduction and entrance of the grand cotillion
 Grand entrance of the debutant and her escort (optional)
 Welcome remarks and toast by the parents
 AVP of debutante (pictures from infancy to present)
 Grand cotillion
  Invocation / prayer before meals
 Meals and pictorial
 AVP of well-wishers
 18 Roses
 Father and daughter dance
 18 _____ (any 18s here – 18 wines, balloons or whatever you like!)
 Games
 18 Candles
 Singing of birthday song
 Blowing of 18 Candles
 Cutting of birthday cake
 Debutante’s thank you speech
 PARTY / Everybody on the dance floor!

So remember, in making your program, list first what part of the basic program you want to retain or delete and
then you can make your own rendition according to your liking. Don’t make it too long but don’t make it too
short either. Create a balanced program and be imaginative in adding your own flavor into it. A debut party well
thought of is a debut party well remembered.

"Ladies and gentlemen May we have your attention please. We will begin in a few minutes so please find your seats and make
yourselves comfortable.
Introduction by the emcee
"
MAC: Ladies and Gentlemen
, I hope you are in a very goodmood tonight for I, Jomark, will be hosting tonight’s party together with one of the debutant best of
friends, Ms. Rachel...
RACHEL:
Nonetheless, we greet you a very good evening and welcome you to this much awaited party in celebration of my bestfriend
Kriselda Celina Sarmiento’sBirthday and debut
.
JOMARK
: We would also like to say muchosgracias to everyone, for gracing this very momentous occasion of Celine’s life because as they
say, you only get to be 18 once." Of course,this party wouldn’t have been possible without the parents of the debutante
, so let’s give a big round of applause to Ms. Ma. Mitos M. Dator.

-welcoming remarks of parents, then AVP

“Some of us have been fortunate enough to see Celine grow and blossom into a beautiful lady, but for others, here is a sneak peak
of her 18 years of existence in one very short movie. Dim the lights and let us all enjoy this video that we prepared for her."
Ladies and Gentlemen without further ado, let us all rise and give a warm round of applause to welcome, our lovely debutante,
Kriselda Celina Mojica Sarmiento.

“Such a spectacular grand entrance by our lovely debutante. And now togive a speech and a toast in honor of our
beautiful debutante, we would liketo ask Mr. and Mrs. Tabucanon on the stage."

THE 18 ROSES 18th birthday marks the end of teenage and the beginning of adulthood. It is a very special day in everyone's life
because on this a person cherishes the old moments filled with love, care and shelter but nowthe person is moving towards
adulthood where she will be loaded with responsibilities and independenceof thought and expression. As the debutante receives her
18 roses let it be a reminder that like the rose life is beautiful, however, there are thorns that signify that life isn’t that easy for
there are problems to be faced. It is up to her how she will handle these hurdles with the support of her family and friends.Mu sic
please… (call the names one by one for the 18 roses

INTRODUCTION SAMPLES

INTRODUCTION

GOOD EVENING LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. WELCOME TO

HILTON DULLES, AND OUR NATION’S CAPITOL
. WELCOME TO THE HOT AND LEGAL PARTY OF OUR CHARMING DEBUTANT WHO IS NOW TURNING INTO
A FINE LADY. THIS IS QUITE A VERY IMPORTANT EVENT IN HER LIFE AND HER AND HER FAMILY IS VERY
MUCH HONORED FOR YOUR PRESENCE. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, SIT BACK AS WE GROOVE, JIVE AND
ENJOY HER PARTY FOR TONIGHT…( JUST A THOUGHT..)
INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS
EMCEE:
BUT BEFORE WE GO ON, IT IS MY GREAT HONOR TO INTRODUCE ALL HER SPECIAL GUESTS FOR
TONIGHT. 18 BACHELORS/ OR COUPLES???....... LIKE A FLOWER THAT BLOOMS AND EXUDES ITS
SWEET SCENTS TO ATTRACT BEES AND BUTTERFLIES, THE DEBUTANT WILL BE SWARMED LATER ON
BY 18 EQUALLY GENTLE BACHELORS. LET US INVITE THEM TO COME IN TO THE GRAND BALLROOM. LET
US START WITH

SAMPLE PROGRAMMED FLOW