LA LUNE: ♡ My 18th Birthday ♡ Part 1

Ela Enchanted @ 18

Growing up here in the Philippines, I was one of those little girls who dreamed of their 18th birthday to be a fairytale.

I remember, every time I add a "plus one" on my age, most of the elders would talk to me and say "Ilang taon na lang 18 ka na!" (Few years from now, you will be 18!) after I'd hear that, I will wonder why are they so excited about it.

Then, I watched a lot of Filipino films and tele-series that includes a girl prepping up for her 18th birthday and that made me one of the girls who wants to have that grand debut party. I remember I used to design the gowns I will wear. I even created a list of the people I will invite when I was 12. I guess media's really influencing.

A year before my eighteenth birthday, I was having second thoughts if I will throw out a party because I know it would really cost a lot and our family was never used to having parties like this, but my parents insisted to take the road because it's a perfect time to gather all of our relatives and besides they love me the most ~~lol joke~~

So that's how we end up planning my 18th birthday.

It was all worth it though; the stress, the time, the preparation and everything we've spent because it made me realize how really blessed I am to be able to celebrate my 18th birthday with everyone I truly love.

We didn't hire an organizer so I basically handled everything and my parents financed everything. I was the one who designed the invitation, which is the most stressing part for me since I was the one who should bought all the resources.

I didn't have a pre-debut shoot, instead I grabbed my sister to be my photographer and we did a little photo shoot at home. The photos from invitation where some of the photos we did.

Fast forward to May 6, 2016.

The day I've waited for to come since I was a young girl, although I don't have any assurance that it would take place.

The day I reconnected to that young girl.

The day I became a lady.

The gown I wore was bought at Divisoria, Manila. We bought it at reasonable price and I am so happy about it and yes, it has to be pink! ♡

My hair and make-up was done by a make-up artist I personally don't know but is recommended to us by the Sea Breeze Resort event coordinator.

♡

Before the event, I had alittle photo shoot and here re some of the photos:

♡

I had 6 sets of 18s: 18 Roses, 18 Blue Bills, 18 Chocolates, 18 Teasures, 18 Gifts and 18 Candles. I choose my program to be the traditional one since I don't have that much time to prepare.

The program started with a prayer, lead by my youth pastor, Ptra. Jing Colosaga.

It was followed by the introduction of my family ♡

(L-R: Marneli, Mom, Dad, Kuya Frinz)

Then of course, my grand entrance. I was really nervous about it since I had to walk down that stairs with high heels on, and I am not that used to wearing high heels. But hey, I nailed it!

Here's me laughing about the joke some confettis told.

We had a toast after it then immediately, it was followed by the 18 Roses. Of course, my dad and I kicked off the first dance,

My 18 Roses ♡

♡

Picture-Dinner-Picture-Dinner-Picture

Before the guests had their dinner, it was set up for them to have a picture taken with me first. Then, we put a little twist there, where they had to do a certain pose per table such as gwiyomi pose, spy pose, shocked pose etc. Here are some:

(click the photos)

The best one will receive a price (chocolates and souvenirs from our Coron trip) which was won by my friends from high school. They dd the fish lips pose.

♡

While they're having the guests were having their dinner, my dance ministry in my church did an evangelic dance production with a song entitled Dance by Planetshakers.

Then it was followed by the Audio and Visual Presentation of my flashback photos. Which I also created, by the way.