June 29, 2009

soo grown up

5:40 PM | written by kathryn | Edit Post
JILLIAN Miranda turned the Filipino tradition of the debutante ball on its head Friday night. Instead of receiving a lavish celebration with a gown, gifts and elegant reception, the 18-year-old decided to host a feast for the homeless at a downtown shelter. On Friday, she and 20 of her closest friends and family members went to Siloam Mission to serve supper to 400 less-fortunate people. "Rather than spending thousands of dollars on one night, I'd rather put it to good use," said Miranda who just graduated from St. Maurice School. The traditional "debut" is a rite of passage for girls when they turn 18, said Rod Cantiveros, a friend of the Miranda family and editor of the Filipino Journal. The celebration honours a young woman when she turns 18, he said. "Normally, the family spends thousands of dollars for a debut party at the hotel," said Cantiveros. On top of the lavish food, the tradition calls for 18 roses and 18 candles. Usually there's a prayer before the meal, and the debutante has a first dance with her father, he said. Most of the time, more than 400 people attend, with some bringing gifts and others presenting cheques to the debutante, said Cantiveros. Instead, the Miranda family provided the food -- noodles, spring rolls and chicken -- and they and their guests served it to the homeless. Miranda said her mother, Nita, had wanted her only daughter to have a debut, "But I was kind of iffy." When she and her mom were driving past Siloam Mission on Princess Street, she saw people lined up outside. "I asked my mom 'what are those people doing?,'" she said. Miranda told her mom and dad, Emil, that she wanted to help them rather than have a debut. Her parents, who own Miranda Foods on Notre Dame Avenue, went along with her bucking a tradition. "Some people were very surprised," said Nita Miranda. "This is the first time they've heard of (such a debut)." She said she's glad they can share some of their good fortune with the less fortunate and even more pleased that her daughter thought to do it. "I'm very proud. We're happy for her

reading this made me want to cry because i cant believe how my baby cousin who i used to play sailormoon with grew up into this lovely young lady. congrats jill im soo proud of you

just goes to show that material things ARENT everything and just helping those less fortunate for NOTHING in return is absolutely amazing

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