Sahar's Debut

For all of you who might have begun to think I had fallen off the face of the Earth or had been kidnapped by seperatist rebels in the jungles of the Philippines you can rest at ease. I have been a victim of a lack of technology (access to a good internet connection in Mindoro) and a complete lack of enthusiasm for posting photos to my blog. In short I've been enjoying my vacation immensely and haven't cared much about anything else. I am back in Manila for a couple of days (frown) and now have the means to flood my blog with photos from the past week.

We celebrated Sahar's Debut on June 7, 2008, at the Rembrandt Hotel in Quezon City (Metro Manila). The event was attended by our family, friends and close family friends here in the Philippines. The week leading up to the big night was exhausting, so when the day of the event came it seemed more like a big blur.


Sahar and her 9 candles (cousins and girlfriends)and 9 roses (cousins and guy friends) get ready for the debut.



Sahar's cousin Peter entertained everyone with his guitar.


Sahar's cousin Paulette gets ready with the other candles.


Alona helps one of Sahar's candles with her makeup. Everyone pretty much pitched in helping the 9 candles and 9 roses get dressed and made up.


Sahar's Tita (aunt), Alona's younger sister, Joean flew in from Japan for the day to attend the debut. Her arrival was a secret surprise for Alona's parents. Boy were they surprised.


Sahar looks over her dress. The dressmakers had to make an emergency visit to our hotel room on the afternoon of the debut to make last minute fixes to the dress after several flaws were discovered by Alona and Sahar. The dress was fixed and it turned out really beautiful.


The Debutant on the grand staircase of the Rembrandt Hotel.




The Debutant and her 9 candles.


The Debutant and her 9 roses.


The Debutant and her full court.


The Debutant makes her entrance to the event escorted by her cousin Leo.


The Debutant's cake.


The grand ballroom of the Rembrandt Hotel.


Sahar waltzes with her first rose, her Lolo (grandfather).


Sahar watches as each of her candles, lead by Alona, take their place in line during the candle lighting ceremony.



Sahar dances with her mother, left, Tita Joean, Lola (grandmother) and Tita Gemma at the conclusion of her debut's formal festivities.


Sahar with her Tita Gemma, left, Alona, Lola, Tita Joean and Tita DiDing.

I'll have more photos up soon from my adventures in Mindoro.