18 roses and 18 good wishes for a debutante

Michaela Climaco knew precisely how she wanted to commemorate her 18th birthday, with a party to be hosted by her doting parents Manny and Monica Climaco.

Early on she tapped her close cousins and dear friends to join the preparations. Michelle, as she is fondly called, chose to celebrate her milestone at the Villa Rosario, a private, by-the-sea enclave of the well-respected Climaco family.

It was one of those balmy evenings Cebu is famous for. The sky was filled with stars and it reflected beautifully upon the blue waters. The surrounding landscaped gardens had several well-placed round tables and a few low rectangular-shaped ones topped with arrangements of multi-colored flowers in full bloom. All these were set amid a sea of candles. 

The debutante, the eldest of three and a Business Management student at the Ateneo de Manila University, had lots of innovative and fun ideas for the luau-themed party.

Upon their arrival guests were presented with beautifully handcrafted fashion accessories made exclusively by popular Cebuano jewelers. Many opted to wear them that evening.

Cesca Rivilla, the debutante, Franco Rivilla, Alphonzo Alegrado, Erika Rivilla and Emil Khodaverdi

Michelle, dressed in a flowing off-white evening gown she purchased from one of the exclusive boutiques in America, looked every inch a glowing, grownup lady, full of life and ready to conquer the world.

Joy Climaco, Ana Climaco, Clifford and Gera Alegrado

Adhering to some debut traditions, the celebrant sat on a chair onstage beside a multi-tiered apple, carrot and walnut cake lovingly created by master baker Sandra Lim, while her cousins and friends, some from Manila and neighboring islands, showered her with 18 long-stemmed roses with 18 good wishes to match.

After a South Pacific-inspired dinner prepared by Cebu’s foremost caterer, Derek Dy Tian of Creative Cuisine, guests eagerly took to the dance floor, but not before loving dad Manny swirled Michelle to a waltz and an upbeat dance number.

Then a much-welcomed pause that accommodated the well-received program was the fire dance that mesmerized everyone. Lively limbo-rock soon followed.

The evening ended with a message and toast from the heart by the debutante’s grandfather Benny Ricafort. An appreciative, touching response came from a girl who during this particular night turned into the young woman parents dream of.