Those who attended recently the birthday celebration of Joanne Laurel would describe her as a princess or a Cinderella but a more fitting Filipino description would be “bongga ka ‘day,” Joanne looked very regal in her long pink gown with matching jewelry that would “bling-bling” during the night. She changed her attire 3 times during the evening: 2 long gowns, 1 evening dress, and jeans for her hip-hop dance. Joanne’s hair-do was specially done for her by Danny De Vega. The tiara that Joanne wore that night gave her more the princess looks. Danny was commissioned to do Joanne’s hair and make-up including her cotillion court.I witnessed Joanne grew up to what she is now. She is my niece, the daughter of Joel and Susie Laurel. I used to take her to her pre-school in West Covina, California when she was 6 years old.
From California, we moved to Washington State and made Seattle our home. Joanne went to Blanchet High School. And now she is in college. She goes to the University of Washington with an ambition of becoming a Pharmacist. With Joanne celebrating her 18th birthday reminds me that I am now aging. That’s okay. I am happy to be part of Joanne’s life.
The debutante’s ball in Filipino tradition is a rite of passage, a mark of a girl’s transition to womanhood. The custom traces its roots to 300 years of Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines. Joanne’s debut was elaborately planned. It was held at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Seattle. Guests came as far as the Philippines and other parts of the United States. It was sort of a reunion for my family. An exquisite plated menu, with fillet mignon and sea bass as the dinner entrée, was served as the Heartlight Band played popular airs. Tess Mendoza, Edgar Mesina, and Eva Sabiniano sang several ballads.
The traditional Cotillion ushered the evening’s ballroom dancing. Joanne’s court was first to come out of the ballroom to introduce the debutante, escorted by her parents, Joel and Susie. Finally, the entrance of Joanne’s escort, Willimark Obenza, signaled the start of the cotillion which incorporated a series of charming Viennese waltzes. And indeed these 9 young Filipina descent ladies in the peak of their youth is a picture of loveliness, of health, of self-assurance, of boundless expectations, and full of joie de vivre.
The debutante’s ball in Filipino tradition is a rite of passage, a mark of a girl’s transition to womanhood. The custom traces its roots to 300 years of Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines. Joanne’s debut was elaborately planned. It was held at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Seattle. Guests came as far as the Philippines and other parts of the United States. It was sort of a reunion for my family. An exquisite plated menu, with fillet mignon and sea bass as the dinner entrée, was served as the Heartlight Band played popular airs. Tess Mendoza, Edgar Mesina, and Eva Sabiniano sang several ballads.
The traditional Cotillion ushered the evening’s ballroom dancing. Joanne’s court was first to come out of the ballroom to introduce the debutante, escorted by her parents, Joel and Susie. Finally, the entrance of Joanne’s escort, Willimark Obenza, signaled the start of the cotillion which incorporated a series of charming Viennese waltzes. And indeed these 9 young Filipina descent ladies in the peak of their youth is a picture of loveliness, of health, of self-assurance, of boundless expectations, and full of joie de vivre.
The debutante’s ball included a formal presentation of 18 roses and 18 candles to Joanne from her family and friends, a symbol of the 18 years of her life. Jojo Rabara rendered a special song as Joanne and her father danced. The cotillion court entertained the guests with choreographed dance numbers followed by the vocal performance of Michelle Valle and Nicole Banal. At the end of the program, it was time for Joanne to say “thank you” to all those who made the party possible, particularly her parents. It was a touching scene when Joanne gave Joel and Susie a hug. The party concluded with hours of dancing enjoyed by all the guests, adults as well as teenagers.
My visiting family from the Philippines and Los Angeles, California had an extended party before going back home. We were treated by the Laurels to an Argosy Cruise. The cruise has a live narration, wonderful views and feature Seattle’s famous places like Bill Gates’ residence. After the cruise, we had dinner at the Laurels. It was eating time again – Dungeness crabs, baked salmon, fresh oysters, BBQ steak, and clam soup. We were all tired but happy.For Joanne’s mother, the event was an opportunity to polish an offspring’s social skills, remind her of her heritage and relive one’s own dreams. For Joanne’s father, it’s time to take proud spin around the dance floor with the lovely young woman who stole his heart the day she was born and has been tugging at its strings most of the time since. For both Joel and Susie, it’s also a time to write checks. Lots of checks.
For Joanne, I am sure it was an event in her life that she would remember for a long, long time. It will be a treasured memory.
