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Stunned by Isabelle Duterte’s ball? Marvel at glitzy celebrity debuts through the years

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Gerry  Plaza

<div> </div><p>A lot of girls look forward to that milestone in her life she is considered an adult. Turning 18 is really a big thing, especially when parents decide to commemorate it with a celebration that ushers their princess into society. Some mark it casually with a simple get-together, others with a grander 18 candles affair, but there are those who really pull out all the stops to hold that debut in the grandest, most lavish fashion. </p><p>Take the case of presidential granddaughter Isabelle Duterte, who raised eyebrows with one opulent and magnificent debut from the pre-event photoshoot to the save-the-date video and the actual ball itself. Breathtaking as it is, other female celebrities also left us dumbfounded with their unforgettable parties that made headlines. There are also others who skipped the usual cotillions and celebrations but made their debut just as unforgettable with profound acts. </p><p>Here are some of the most lavish, memorable, and meaningful celebrity debuts through the years.</p><div><big><strong>Kristine Hermosa</strong></big></div><div><img alt="" src="https://push-data.abs-cbn.com/push/push/media/2018/012518/012518-pushpin1.jpg"/></div><p>Definitely, the original Yna of <em>Pangako Sa ‘Yo</em> deserves a grandiose party. And when the top-rating teleserye was airing in 2001, Kristine Hermosa’s fabulous 18-year-old birthday bash was more than what a debutante would hope for. Donning a Randy Ortiz sapphire blue gown embellished with Swarovski gems all over, Tin-Tin was a breathtaking sight in her much talked about debut at the Manila Polo Club.</p><div><big><strong>Anne Curtis</strong></big></div><div><img alt="" src="https://push-data.abs-cbn.com/push/push/media/2018/012518/012518-pushpin2.jpg"/></div><div><small><em>Photo credit: pep.ph</em></small></div><p>The now ubiquitous TV personality, fashion icon and online influencer had a debut perfect for the Annebisyosa that she is. While it was a glittering night, it was traditional party for Anne Curtis held at the EDSA Shangri-la hotel in 2003. She was pretty in pink, with all the extravagant gifts possible for the 18-year-old ready for her phenomenal rise in the industry.</p><div><big><strong>KC Concepcion</strong></big></div><p>It was a fairy tale come true for KC Concepcion after she turned the NBC Tent in 2004 into a forest and dreamy characters come to life. KC was a princess to behold in gowns designed by Paul Cabral and Joe Salazar. But beyond the elaborate theme that mesmerized guests, including the serenading Piolo Pascual six years before they became an item, KC made her special day even more momentous by asking guests to donate to her chosen charities instead of gifts.</p><div><big><strong>Bea Alonzo</strong></big></div><div><big><strong><img alt="" src="https://push-data.abs-cbn.com/push/push/media/2018/012518/012518-pushpin3.jpg"/></strong></big></div><p>The one thing unique about Bea Alonzo’s commemoration was that she chose not to have a glamorous, extravagant affair at all. She chose to spend it to live the dreams she always wanted, from helping the needy to working at a McDonald’s. This was chronicled in the ABS-CBN special dedicated to mark Bea’s 18-year-old milestone, “Wildest Dreams@18” in 2005</p><div><big><strong>Kim Chiu</strong></big></div><div><big><strong><img alt="" src="https://push-data.abs-cbn.com/push/push/media/2018/012518/012518-pushpin4.jpg"/></strong></big></div><p><em>Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition’s</em> Grand Winner might appear hesitant to celebrate her 18th birthday at such a scale, but in the end, she still stunned everyone with her charm and gorgeousness in her debut at Glass Gardens, Pasig City. Kim Chiu was absolutely magnificent in her Francis Libiran gown as she danced with all the men special to her, from her dad William to her then partner Gerald Anderson. </p><div><big><strong>Julia Montes</strong></big></div><div><big><strong><img alt="" src="https://push-data.abs-cbn.com/push/push/media/2018/012518/012518-pushpin5.jpg"/></strong></big></div><div><small><em>Photo credit: The Manila Urbanite</em></small></div><p>Just like KC Concepcion, Julia Montes wanted to make her childhood dreams come to life in her final goodbye to her “tender years.” A fairy tale-themed debut was held at Fernwood Gardens, Quezon City in 2013 with Julia wearing a fascinating fantasy-like ball gown made for a real princess by Pepsi Herrera. As she now blossomed into a lady, Coco Martin was her special escort to the grand ball with her very close friends, including Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla, Enrique Gil and John Lloyd Cruz.</p><div><big><strong>Kathryn Bernardo</strong></big></div><div><img alt="" src="https://push-data.abs-cbn.com/push/push/media/2018/012518/012518-pushpin6_1.jpg"/></div><div><small><em>Photo credit candy mag</em></small></div><p>A Teen Queen should be accorded royalty, especially during her big day. This is why Kathryn Bernardo’s debut in 2014 at the Blue Leaf in Paranaque City made her even more majestic than ever before with an opulent formal wear party all in a black, white and pink theme. But what else could even make the night more resplendent than Kathryn herself with two numbers--an embellished pink gown designed by Francis Libiran and an out-of-this-world blue wardrobe by Vania Romoff.</p><div><big><strong>Julia Barretto</strong></big></div><div><big><strong><img alt="" src="https://push-data.abs-cbn.com/push/push/media/2018/012518/012518-pushpin7.jpg"/></strong></big></div><p>Nothing was as spectacular as the grandest celebrity event in 2015 when Julia Barretto held her monumental debut at the Makati Shangri-la that was elevated with much hype and fanfare. While attention had focused on the guests, particularly a once estranged aunt Claudine attending, Julia was still enthralling and magnificent in an enormous Michael Cinco red ball gown in such an extravagant affair.</p><div><big><strong>Liza Soberano</strong></big></div><div><big><strong><img alt="" src="https://push-data.abs-cbn.com/push/push/media/2018/012518/012518-pushpin8.jpg"/></strong></big></div><div><small><em>Photo credit @niceprintphoto IG</em></small></div><p>She planned to just spend her 18th birthday in 2016 with beneficiaries of her charitable efforts, but Liza Soberano without a debut is unthinkable for her family, relatives, and close friends. Thus they set-up a “surprise” debut for Liza at the Club Balai Isabel in Batangas. It was a simple, laid-back bohemian-themed affair but was no less breathtaking and memorable to those who attended, especially Liza’s dear Quen.</p><div><br/><big><strong>Kisses Delavin</strong></big></div><div><br/><img alt="" src="https://push-data.abs-cbn.com/push/push/media/2018/012518/012518-pushpin9.jpg"/></div><p>The latest product of the remarkable <em>Pinoy Big Brother</em> showed why her immense popularity after the show’s Lucky Season 7 was no fluke as she commanded her immense “Big Night” at the Makati Shangri-la in May last year. She left guests, mostly close friends, family, and co-alumni from PBB, breathless with her long, elegant ball gown made by Francis Libiran, with such an intricate, well-embroidered bodice. </p><p>While we marvel at the opulence and magnificence these celebrity debuts exude, they are just like any other 18-year-old girl’s rite of passage. Mimicking these is one thing, but getting ready for the real world is another. And that’s the most important thing to remember, even if you don’t have the gazillions to spend. </p><p>Another Kapamilya celebrity, teen star Loisa Andalio revealed to us how she celebrated her debut amid the considerable success she enjoys. “<em>Kain lang kami</em> (family) <em>sa labas</em>,” she uttered.</p>

Some mark turning of age casually with a simple get-together, others with a grander 18 candles affair, but there are those who really pull out all the stops to hold that debut in the grandest, most la

Stunned by Isabelle Duterte’s ball? Marvel at glitzy celebrity debuts through the years

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Stunned by Isabelle Duterte’s ball? Marvel at glitzy celebrity debuts through the years

Gerry Plaza

Published Jan 25, 2018 05:49 PM PHT

Read More:

Anne Curtis

Liza Soberano

Kristine Hermosa

Kathryn Bernardo

Julia Barretto

Angel Locsin

Kisses Delavin

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