Debut Dreams: 18 Magical Candle Moments

what to do in 18 candles in debut

In Filipino culture, a debutante's 18th birthday celebration includes a ceremony with 18 candles and 18 roses. The debutante chooses 18 people to be the candle holders, who form a circle around her. Each candle holder gives a speech about their relationship with the debutante and presents them with a gift. The candle holders may also be asked to participate in other rituals, such as trivia questions about the debutante. The ceremony concludes with the debutante blowing out the candles on her cake, and the guests singing Happy Birthday.

Characteristics Values
Number of candles 18
Occasion 18th birthday
Location Philippines
Participants Family, friends
Activities Speeches, gift-giving, trivia, cake-cutting, dancing

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Prepare a speech about your experiences with the debutante

It is an honour to be one of the 18 candles at this debutante's 18th birthday celebration. I understand that I am here to share a short speech about my experiences and relationship with the debutante, so I will keep my words brief and heartfelt.

I want to start by wishing the debutante a very happy birthday. This is such a special occasion and I am so glad to be part of your milestone celebration. I hope that you feel all the love and warmth that has gone into making this day so memorable.

I want to thank you for inviting me to be one of your 18 candles. I feel privileged to be included in this special tradition and to be able to share this moment with you. I know that we don't know each other very well, but I am so happy to have been given the opportunity to get to know you better and to be part of your life.

I want to share a quick story about a special moment we shared. [Insert personal story here - perhaps a funny memory, a meaningful conversation, or a time you felt close]. This moment really stood out to me because [Explain why this moment was meaningful or memorable]. It made me feel grateful to have you in my life and I hope that we can continue to create more memories together.

Finally, I want to wish you all the best for your future endeavours. May your path ahead be filled with love, laughter, and new beginnings. Once again, happy birthday, and here's to many more!

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Hand over a gift

In the Filipino 18th birthday tradition, 18 candles are presented by 18 individuals to the debutante, or 'debutant'. Each candle represents shared experiences between the candle-bearer and the debutante, and the candle-bearer gives a speech about their relationship with the debutante before presenting them with their candle.

The candle-bearers may also be expected to give a gift to the debutante. These gifts are known as 'treasures' and are presented after the candle ceremony. If you are one of the 18 candle-bearers, or '18 candles', you will be expected to give a gift in addition to your speech.

Gifts should be thoughtful and meaningful, and it is customary for them to be presented as a symbol of guidance and support for the debutante's journey into adulthood. They should also represent your relationship with the debutante and could include something that reflects their interests, hobbies, or aspirations. For example, if the debutante is interested in art, you could give them a sketchbook and a set of pencils, or if they are a writer, a nice journal and an expensive pen.

If you are close to the debutante, you may want to give them something more personal, such as a piece of jewellery that represents their heritage or a book of poetry by their favourite author. Alternatively, you could give them something that represents your shared experiences, such as a photo album or a scrapbook of your time together.

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Make a circle with the other 17 candles around the debutante

In a debut celebration, the 18 candles are a symbol of guidance and support for the debutante as they transition from childhood to adulthood. The 18 candles are typically offered by 18 ladies and gentlemen, who are often close friends or relatives of the debutante.

The candle ceremony usually takes place after dinner. The 18 candles are distributed to each of the chosen individuals, who then form a circle around the debutante. Each person will give a short speech or message about their experiences and relationship with the debutante, and may also offer a gift.

As the debutante stands in the middle of the circle, each candle-bearer will address them individually. These speeches are an opportunity for the speakers to share their well-wishes, guidance, and support for the debutante's journey into adulthood. The candle ceremony is a heartfelt and meaningful tradition that celebrates the debutante's coming-of-age and marks the importance of shared memories and friendship.

After all the candle-bearers have delivered their speeches, the debutante's mother may be the last one to give a message. The debutante will then blow out the candles on their birthday cake, making a wish as they do so. This symbolic act signifies new beginnings and the illumination of their path ahead with cherished memories and the love of their family and friends.

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Sing happy birthday

The 18 candles debut tradition is a Filipino ceremony to celebrate a girl's 18th birthday. Eighteen people are chosen to give a speech about their experiences with the debutante and hand her presents. The event continues with the 18 candles after dinner. The 18 candles are distributed to each person, and they make a circle around the debutant. Each person gives their message to the debutant, and then her mother gives her message. After everyone has given their speech, they go back to their seats, and the debutant blows out the candles on her cake. At this point, the 18 candles can sing "Happy Birthday" to the debutant.

Singing "Happy Birthday" is a universally recognised song that is often sung to celebrate a person's birthday. Here are some tips on how to sing "Happy Birthday" with confidence and style:

  • Practice the melody carefully and slowly to ensure you hit each note correctly. Pay attention to the tricky parts, like the leap between "birthday" and "to you."
  • Use a piano or a tuning app to match your pitch with the notes of the song. Practising scales can also help improve your overall pitch accuracy.
  • Think about the energy and emotion you want to convey. Singing with enthusiasm will make your performance more engaging and enjoyable for everyone.
  • If you're singing with others, consider adding simple harmonies to make the song more interesting. Practising these harmonies beforehand will ensure they blend well with the melody.
  • Confidence is key when singing in front of others. Practise singing the song in front of a mirror or record yourself to build confidence in your delivery.
  • Make your rendition of "Happy Birthday" memorable by adding your unique style. For example, you could add a jazzy twist or sing it in a more classical style.
  • Adding your name or special lyrics for the birthday person can make the performance more personal and special.

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Cut a cake

The debut is a Filipino tradition that celebrates a young woman's 18th birthday, marking her transition into adulthood. The debutante, or honoree, customarily throws a large party with several traditions, including the 18 candles.

The 18 candles are 18 female relatives or close friends chosen by the debutante to be a part of her court. Each of the 18 candles gives a speech about their experiences with the debutante and presents them with a gift. They also light a candle, which is either placed in the debutante's hand or on a stand.

The cake-cutting ceremony is a significant part of the debut celebration. After the 18 candles have given their speeches and presented their gifts, the debutante will blow out the candles on her cake. This moment holds a special significance, symbolizing new beginnings and the debutante's journey into adulthood.

The debutante's cake can be a simple yet elegant design, or it can be customized to match the theme of the debut. It is not uncommon for the cake to be a money cake, where the debutante finds a surprise inside. The cake-cutting ceremony is often followed by other traditions, such as the 18 treasures, where the debutante receives gifts from her guests, and trivia questions about the debutante.

The debut is a cherished tradition in the Philippines, celebrating a young woman's coming-of-age and marking an important milestone in her life. The 18 candles play a crucial role in this celebration, honoring the debutante with their speeches, gifts, and participation in the cake-cutting ceremony.

Frequently asked questions

The 18 candles debut is a Filipino tradition for a girl's 18th birthday. The birthday girl is the debutante and she is surrounded by 18 people, each holding a candle, who give a speech about their shared experiences with her.

As an 18 candles debut speech is about your personal experiences with the debutante, it's up to you what you say. You could include anecdotes about your relationship, offer advice for the future, or simply wish them a happy birthday.

It's unclear what the traditional dress code is for an 18 candles debut, but one source mentions an "elven queen outfit". It's best to ask the host what the dress code is.

The 18 treasures are gifts given to the debutante by the 18 candles.

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