Debut in Baguio!

[OnMyWay]

We went up to Baguio this past weekend and had a really good time.  Our friends from out daughter's school joined us for a caravan up Friday afternoon.  We get along with them really well and their 5 year old son is best friends with our 5 year old daughter.  Having them along broke the pattern we usually have on trips to Baguio, with the same family around, etc.

The reason we planned the trip was to attend the the debut of my wife's cousin's daughter, Hannah.  I had only met her once, when she was about 15, and found her to be a very charming and down to earth young lady.  As I had only met her once, I was surprised when they asked me to be one of the 18 "Blue Bills", who are supposed to represent financial stability to the young debutante.  However, I really like her dad and mom, so we decided to go.

Before the trip, I was worried about what I would wear because I NEVER wear pants / slacks and did not have a pair that fits.  My stomach muscles have become really well developed since I last tried my slacks on.  My wife, who had never been to a high end debut before, told me "Your a foreigner, wear whatever you want".  However, I did go out and buy a new pair of slacks before the trip.  Filipino slacks, where the waist to crotch is waaayyy to short.  Why is that?

The event was scheduled for 5 pm.  We left late and there was some traffic, but not too bad.  However, when we got to the Azalea Residences hotel area, the little street going up to the hotel, past some restos, was in complete gridlock because a couple of a**holes had illegally parked!  So it took us 30 minutes to go the last 500 feet!  We got there at 6 and they had not started.  In fact, half the tables were still empty as everyone was impacted by the traffic.

I was sure happy I bought the slacks!  It was a very fancy event!  And also glad that the day before we had asked them if we could bring our friends, and they said yes.  It was assigned seating and they probably had twenty 10 seater tables.  Very fancy decorations, etc.  The room was a bit small, actually.  The chatter was that this event cost them p350,000, and I believe it.

Now here is the downside.  It was so long and boring for those not really directly involved.  And no alcohol, which is ok and probably normal, but we were craving something to break the boredom.  First they did the 18 roses, where 18 guys give her a rose and dance with her.  Then they did 18 candles, and the 18 girls did quite a bit of talking to Hannah, so it took time.  Then they did the 18 treasures, and the talking continued.  Then 18 gifts and more talking.  However, then the worst one started and I don't know what it was called exactly.  18 friends came up, all girls, and talked about their friendship with Hannah.  They went on and on and on and on!  Finally, the last one comes up, but she is not there, she is in Canada, and has prepared a video.  OMG!  This teenager is just lying on a bed or sofa with phone style headphones on, using the mic on them , and her phone for the video.  Her face is the whole picture on the giant digital screen.  Speaking in Tagalog, she goes on and on and on and on in a sad voice, and I don't think she smiled at all!  We could tell Hannah was feeling uncomfortable and was looking around nervously, like "When is this going to end!".  I think she went on for 15 minutes!

We were all starving and they finally served the open buffet at almost 9 pm!  I know they didn't plan it that way but all the talk, talk, talk just dragged it all out.  The food was good, and surprisingly still hot, but a long queue. During all of this, the thing that saved us with the kids was that the hotel had a really nice play ground right outside the venue door.  We took turns taking the kids out and it was a beautiful cool Baguio night.

At 9:45, we had to go.  The kids were dying after a really long day, as were the adults.  They still had not done the Blue Bills, so my BIL and I had to give our apologies and give the Blue Bills to Hannah's mom.  Later that night, my wife was chatting with another cousin who was still there at 11, and she said that the mom was going to try to end it by 12.  It was grueling!  My first debut was far longer than any wedding reception I have been to!

This is a public video, so I guess they won't mind if I share their You Tube video here.  Hannah is a gorgeous young woman!

Earlier in the day, my future debutantes got to go horseback riding and had a great time!  Our 15 year old says she never wants a party like that!  Right now, she says she would like a nice trip to Bohol!  I'm not sure why, but she really loves Bohol.

   

 

[stevewool]

December 24th is the date for my first Debut, and you have put me off, in fact I think I may be the only foreigner there, I had better take my iPod and a few tea bags and sit somewhere out of the way.

Blue bills , does that mean you have to give some sort of cash?

Your daughter is correct , Bohol is such a beautiful place to be.

[OnMyWay]

4 hours ago, stevewool said:

December 24th is the date for my first Debut, and you have put me off, in fact I think I may be the only foreigner there, I had better take my iPod and a few tea bags and sit somewhere out of the way.

Blue bills , does that mean you have to give some sort of cash?

Your daughter is correct , Bohol is such a beautiful place to be.

I think I was the only foreigner at this one.  I wouldn't worry about yours being like this one.  My friend who was with me is from a wealthy family and has been to several debuts.  He said this one was exceptional and had never seen one go so long.

Blue Bills because the p1000 note is blue!  So you are giving a p1000 gift.

[Arizona Kid]

15 hours ago, OnMyWay said:

We went up to Baguio this past weekend and had a really good time.  Our friends from out daughter's school joined us for a caravan up Friday afternoon.  We get along with them really well and their 5 year old son is best friends with our 5 year old daughter.  Having them along broke the pattern we usually have on trips to Baguio, with the same family around, etc.

The reason we planned the trip was to attend the the debut of my wife's cousin's daughter, Hannah.  I had only met her once, when she was about 15, and found her to be a very charming and down to earth young lady.  As I had only met her once, I was surprised when they asked me to be one of the 18 "Blue Bills", who are supposed to represent financial stability to the young debutante.  However, I really like her dad and mom, so we decided to go.

Before the trip, I was worried about what I would wear because I NEVER wear pants / slacks and did not have a pair that fits.  My stomach muscles have become really well developed since I last tried my slacks on.  My wife, who had never been to a high end debut before, told me "Your a foreigner, wear whatever you want".  However, I did go out and buy a new pair of slacks before the trip.  Filipino slacks, where the waist to crotch is waaayyy to short.  Why is that?

The event was scheduled for 5 pm.  We left late and there was some traffic, but not too bad.  However, when we got to the Azalea Residences hotel area, the little street going up to the hotel, past some restos, was in complete gridlock because a couple of a**holes had illegally parked!  So it took us 30 minutes to go the last 500 feet!  We got there at 6 and they had not started.  In fact, half the tables were still empty as everyone was impacted by the traffic.

I was sure happy I bought the slacks!  It was a very fancy event!  And also glad that the day before we had asked them if we could bring our friends, and they said yes.  It was assigned seating and they probably had twenty 10 seater tables.  Very fancy decorations, etc.  The room was a bit small, actually.  The chatter was that this event cost them p350,000, and I believe it.

Now here is the downside.  It was so long and boring for those not really directly involved.  And no alcohol, which is ok and probably normal, but we were craving something to break the boredom.  First they did the 18 roses, where 18 guys give her a rose and dance with her.  Then they did 18 candles, and the 18 girls did quite a bit of talking to Hannah, so it took time.  Then they did the 18 treasures, and the talking continued.  Then 18 gifts and more talking.  However, then the worst one started and I don't know what it was called exactly.  18 friends came up, all girls, and talked about their friendship with Hannah.  They went on and on and on and on!  Finally, the last one comes up, but she is not there, she is in Canada, and has prepared a video.  OMG!  This teenager is just lying on a bed or sofa with phone style headphones on, using the mic on them , and her phone for the video.  Her face is the whole picture on the giant digital screen.  Speaking in Tagalog, she goes on and on and on and on in a sad voice, and I don't think she smiled at all!  We could tell Hannah was feeling uncomfortable and was looking around nervously, like "When is this going to end!".  I think she went on for 15 minutes!

We were all starving and they finally served the open buffet at almost 9 pm!  I know they didn't plan it that way but all the talk, talk, talk just dragged it all out.  The food was good, and surprisingly still hot, but a long queue. During all of this, the thing that saved us with the kids was that the hotel had a really nice play ground right outside the venue door.  We took turns taking the kids out and it was a beautiful cool Baguio night.

At 9:45, we had to go.  The kids were dying after a really long day, as were the adults.  They still had not done the Blue Bills, so my BIL and I had to give our apologies and give the Blue Bills to Hannah's mom.  Later that night, my wife was chatting with another cousin who was still there at 11, and she said that the mom was going to try to end it by 12.  It was grueling!  My first debut was far longer than any wedding reception I have been to!

This is a public video, so I guess they won't mind if I share their You Tube video here.  Hannah is a gorgeous young woman!

Earlier in the day, my future debutantes got to go horseback riding and had a great time!  Our 15 year old says she never wants a party like that!  Right now, she says she would like a nice trip to Bohol!  I'm not sure why, but she really loves Bohol.

   

 

Not meaning to pop your bubble, but these displays of wealth that Filipino's seem to love doing is what irks me. It happens in all countries, I know. But to spend money on frivolousness bull crap just to show off, while the beggar children are just trying to get enough to eat..Don't like it. And yes, I do contribute monthly to the children's feeding program here in my Barangay.   

[fillipino_wannabe]

25 minutes ago, Arizona Kid said:

Not meaning to pop your bubble, but these displays of wealth that Filipino's seem to love doing is what irks me. It happens in all countries, I know.

Yeah my step daughters best friend kept hassling her mum to spend 400k+ on her debut then her mum couldn't afford to send her to college.

[stevewool]

In my eyes it’s a lot of money to spend on a birthday party , but is it a traditional thing over there.

[Arizona Kid]

1 minute ago, stevewool said:

In my eyes it’s a lot of money to spend on a birthday party , but is it a traditional thing over there.

Tradition is one thing. Common sense is another. Just like the tradition of SLOWLY escorting a dead person along the streets to their burial site at the expense of the people who are stuck in traffic for someone they don't even know! 

[hk blues]

I kinda side with Arizona Kid on this.

Whilst it's true that vulgar displays of wealth exist in many countries, including ours,  but our countries don't have kids on the streets with no food.  OK, we can all give examples of seeing such things in out countries, but let's be honest it's not the norm.  The problem is that it's down to the government to address the inequality, not the wealthy classes, and we know how that is going.  

[stevewool]

Talking to Emma about the debut that is happening in December, well  it was not happening because of funds , first there was money problems with the mortgage, ‘Steve would not help’, then there was a problem with the extension on the house no cash to keep it going, ‘Steve would not help’, then the new water purification business they are thinking about,,Steve would not help’ and to top all that the sisters father in law had a fall and was in  hospital for over 2 weeks and is now staying at there house until he is fitter to go back to his own house, and yes he is improving daily, ‘his granddaughter paid for his hospital care’.

So with no extra money at all I did not think there would be any party in fact myself and Emma was going to treat the girl to a day out with us with a shopping trip with a limit i must add, but it’s all changed and like others have said is it all about showing off to others .

By the way can anyone tell me what age in the Philippines do you stop buying gifts for nieces and nephews , kids I am ok with but once they are out of there teens it can start to get expensive and silly.

[Balisidar]

4 hours ago, Arizona Kid said:

Not meaning to pop your bubble, but these displays of wealth that Filipino's seem to love doing is what irks me. It happens in all countries, I know. But to spend money on frivolousness bull crap just to show off, while the beggar children are just trying to get enough to eat..Don't like it. And yes, I do contribute monthly to the children's feeding program here in my Barangay.   

I'm with you AK.  I've been invited to several events like this but have never attended.  Not in the Philippines or the US.  My wife and I don't enjoy these...as you said Frivolous displays of wealth and privilege.  And being one of the only foreigners at these events lends some more prestige.

no offense meant to the OP.  Just not my cup of tea😀