Cebuana chooses eco-friendly theme for debut

The debutante, Chesca Tecarro, surrounded with different kinds of plants.

Ginatilan, Cebu—A debut is a traditional Filipino coming-of-age celebration, signifying a young woman’s 18th birthday.

It signifies a major milestone of womanhood, which is the reason why Filipino women celebrate it with a bang.

The celebration usually comes with 18s rituals or symbols. The celebrant, or the debutante, traditionally picks her own entourage of 18 individuals or multiple sets of 18. Often times, the debutante chooses 18 roses and 18 candles.

But Chesca Tecarro, a debutant from Consolacion town in northern Cebu, had a unique 18th birthday celebration last June 1, 2021 when she chose a ‘Country Core,’ or an eco-friendly theme.

“She’s an only child and the mom wanted to have something special for her 18th. But she already said that she doesn’t like to wear a gown and would just want to spend time with closest cousins near nature and do something meaningful,” said Rafaela Perez, the celebrant’s aunt.

So instead of the traditional 18 roses and 18 candles, the celebration had  family and friends planting 18 cinnamon trees in a farm in Consolacion.

“No cotillion dance but a mini trek to appreciate nature…No balloons but flowers and plants from the farm,” Perez said. 

Aside from planting trees, the debut was “gadget-free,” so as to appreciate nature more and spend quality time with family and friends.

Now, isn’t that unique?

Any more unique debut ideas out there?

/bmjo