Debut season is here once again in the GOppets household. My dear Neni & her friends are at that stage of formally coming out (but not of the closet, lol) and cinderella-like balls. Meaning GASTOS. New party clothes, new dancing shoes, gifts for friends celebrating their birthdays, hair & make-up services for attending parties. It’s really sweet to have daughters, but also expensive. Kap is groaning & moaning from all the expenses that are piling up. ;))

A couple of weeks ago, we were invited to attend Aliah’s 18th birthday celebration at Balay Dako. Aliah is one of Neni’s bestest friends & is one of the regular guests in our home sweet home. Over the years, I have gotten close to these girls my daughter call her sissies, so it was a great honor for me to be asked to serve as one of the 18 “treasures” or ninang at her debut, if you may.

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Balay Dako

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Aliah asked her guests to come in pristine white dresses or tops at least. I cannot, in good conscience, come in all white. Baka mapagkamalan pa akong malaking cotton ball. 😛 My white top from M&S, sandals from Zara.

Perks of having a baker mom. Delightful goodies from Manna Bakery & Cafe. <3 I especially loved the chocolate moist cupcakes & the tangy lemon squares.

My lovely girls. <3 They are all my daughters & I just love them to bits. I hope their friendship continues even in college when they go their separate paths. My neni’s custom-made white pantsuit from PLUMA.

The debutante with her proud parents. I love how this family is the epitome of live, love, laugh (And also eat, pray, love. Pastor Joey Rafael is a reverend at New Life Christian Center & Ut owns Manna Bakery & Cafe among many things). They know not to take life too seriously & just have fun and enjoy each other.

Buffet spread was provided by Balay Dako of course. My fave that night was the kare-kare. Yum! <3

Dear Aliah, may your future be forever bright. To us, you will always be a source of light. Happy 18th Birthday with love! :-*

Naturally, my Neni was one of dear Aliah’s 18 wishes.

Friends for a lifetime <3

13 of the 18 treasures -5 of whom were abroad. It was such an honor for me to be considered one of the family friends deemed special enough to be a part of Aliah’s life for the long haul. Among my fellow treasures were Pastor Paul Chase & Marissa Soriano (wife of Pastor Jeric Soriano)

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My speech as one of the Treasures..

Dearest Aliah,

With the amount of time you & Jena spend, and the number of years your friendship has spanned, you are already like one of my daughters. So I know your “special talent”. You have a really magical talent of making things disappear aka “losing things” lol.

So we thought of getting you an evening bag to hold your phone, money, make-up & other thingamajigs when you go to the many parties you will attend in college. Hopefully, your talent as a magician will soon dissipate as you become an adult. 😉

Kidding aside, I’ve always loved your joyful nature. You are always smiling, and your laughter reaches my room whenever you’re in our house – it’s infectious. I pray that you will never lose that zest for life & joie de vivre even when you grow up & become an adult.

Like what I always tell my children, life is an adventure. Never be too serious that you forget to have fun. YOLO, so live, laugh, love. Pero yung love, after college na. Study first so you can be like your mom, strong & successful.

We love you so much & we are so proud of the lovely lady you have become. Please don’t be a stranger. Our home is your home & you are always welcome with wide open arms whenever. Happy birthday sweetie.

Love, tita Jane & the Goppets