By dexter-sularte / May 5, 2025
A little over a year ago, my wife and I celebrated an important milestone: our twin daughters turned 18. It wasn’t just a regular birthday party – we wanted to make it unforgettable. It was a debut celebration, a big moment for them to step into adulthood, and it turned out to be a day we will always remember.
At the time, I didn’t have a blog or any real platform to share stories like this. But even though I wasn’t able to write about it back then, the memories have stayed with me. Now that I finally have the space to reflect and share, I feel it’s the perfect time to look back on that incredible day.
If you’d like to see a glimpse of that unforgettable night, here’s a short video highlighting the most beautiful moments from the debut—the dances, the speeches, the laughter, and everything in between.
👉 Watch the Debut Highlights Here
Captured beautifully by KC Studio, this video brings all the emotion and celebration to life in just a few minutes.
A week before the debut, we wanted to capture some beautiful memories with a pre-debut photoshoot. There are many wonderful places in Mindanao to choose from, but we picked a location that was close to home—Durano Mountain View Resort in Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte. It’s about a 45-minute drive from where we live. Located on a hilltop, the resort offers amazing views and fresh air, far from the bustle of the main roads. My wife had taken the kids there before, so I knew it would be the perfect backdrop for the girls’ photos.
Once, a sarcastic blogger mocked this region by calling it “Sub-Saharan Mindanao,” trying to paint it as underdeveloped and backward. While the label was wildly inaccurate, unfair, and ignorant, it gave us a laugh—and made us even more proud to show off the real beauty of our hometown.
“Two little blessings, sent from above—twice the smiles, twice the love.”
The program kicked off with the twins dazzling in their casual blue dresses. As they appeared at the entrance, the entire room stood up and greeted them with joyous applause as they made their lively walk from the entrance to the stage. Once on stage, they performed a dance number with their cousins and brother as backup dancers.
Right after the dance, we opened the program with a set of heartfelt speeches. Their mother spoke first, followed by me, the twins’ grandmothers and grandfather, and our eldest son, Chimboy. We each shared our thoughts, memories, and words of encouragement as the girls stepped into a new chapter of life. My speech was short, as I’m not one for public speaking, but my wife’s and our eldest son’s speech wrapped everything beautifully.
Here’s my mom delivering her impromptu speech. She had no idea she would be called upon to speak, so it caught her by surprise. But in true fashion, she stood up gracefully, smiled, and delivered one of the most beautiful, heartfelt impromptu speeches of the evening. Her words were simple but full of warmth, pride, and motherly wisdom.
Then came the traditional giving of 18 roses. Thirty-six gentlemen—friends, brothers, cousins, their grandpa, and I—each gave a long-stemmed rose to the girls. The first rose, of course, came from me, followed by their grandpa, brothers, male cousins, and male classmates.
Right after the 18 Roses came my favorite part: the first dance. The stage was reserved just for me and their grandpa. Each of us had a special moment dancing with the girls—it was something I’ll never forget. It felt like a full-circle moment as a dad. After our dances, their close male friends joined in to continue the dance.
After the 18 Roses and the first dance with me and their grandfather, the girls took a moment to change into their elegant formal gowns. This marked the beginning of one of the most anticipated parts of the evening—the Cotillion de Honor.
The Cotillion is more than just a formal dance; it’s a symbol of the debutantes’ transition into womanhood. Our daughters, together with their cotillion court had spent weeks practicing at home. Every step, every turn, and every movement was carefully coordinated – perfecting every step and turn. There they were on stage, poised and radiant, bringing all their hard work to life. When the music began and they took to the stage, it was like watching a scene from a fairytale.
Dinner followed right after the cotillon dance, giving everyone time to relax and enjoy a hearty meal. My wife took care of everything herself—from the main courses to the cakes. There were no caterers, just pure home-cooked dishes.
The program continued with the 18 Blue Bills—a thoughtful twist where 18 guests each presented a monetary gift along with a personal message or wish for the girls. I am incredibly thankful for everyone who participated in this tradition. It’s no small feat to willingly shell out a thousand pesos from your wallet.
The twins wrapped up the program with a beautiful thank-you speech – a perfect way to end such a special evening.
The event was attended by close family, relatives, friends, and their classmates, not to mention my own high school classmates and teacher. It was truly an unforgettable night!
Here are my classmates, so stunning in their elegant attire. I am incredibly grateful that they made it to the event. While some were notified ahead of time, others received their invitation at the last minute. Thank you, classmates, for attending my twins’ debut despite your busy schedules. Your presence made the day even more special!
And my ever-active high school chemistry teacher, Mrs. Esterlina Bienes, didn’t let the event go by without her presence. I was so grateful she made it!
The debut party culminated with a dance. Here’s my wife, along with the eager party-goers, finally hitting the dance floor and grooving to the beat of “September.” As for me? I should have been showing off my dance moves, but I was busy playing the perfect host, sending off friends and family as they headed home after the event.
Looking back on that day, I can honestly say it was one of the most meaningful and unforgettable moments of our lives. It wasn’t just about a grand party—it was about the love, the memories, and the pride we felt as parents.
We didn’t just celebrate their 18th birthday—we celebrated our journey as a family. And for that, I’ll always be grateful. Our twin girls are now young women, and seeing them shine on their special day was a moment I’ll treasure forever.
We’re excited to see what the future holds for these two amazing young women as they begin their next chapter at Silliman University—one of the finest institutions in the country. At first, they were both excited and a little nervous about living away from home for the first time. Now, well into their second semester, we can see just how much they’ve grown. They’ve embraced the challenge, and it’s clear they’re ready for everything this journey has in store.
No event like this comes together without the help, talent, and generosity of others—and we’re deeply grateful to everyone who played a role in making our daughters’ debut a success.
Events Decorator
For the debut event, we chose Horizon Resort as the venue. It was not only close to our house but also had enough space for the 300 guests we expected. The venue looked amazing, thanks to the decorator we hired. One of the highlights was a large LED screen on stage showing photos and videos of the twins growing up. The venue decoration was nothing short of amazing. Honestly, I have no clue how the event venue decorator transformed an empty function hall into such a fabulous spot—it was like magic!
The Host and Event Coordinator
And let’s not forget the event coordinator and host. These guys really know their stuff and made everything run like clockwork.
Hair & Make-up
The debutantes’ hair and makeup were expertly done by Thea Briones. She worked her magic, ensuring they both looked stunning and picture-perfect for their special night.
Photo & Video
For photography and videography, we hired RenshotsPH and KC Studio. They did an amazing job capturing everything—from candid smiles to the big moments on stage.
The Gowns
My wife designed and made both of the girls’ gowns herself. She had also made her own wedding dress years ago, so I knew the girls would look stunning. The gowns turned out even more beautiful than I had imagined.
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