The Filipinos want their daughters to be introduced as adults and potential wives so the age changed from 15 to 18. A lot of money and preparation goes into having a cotillion; at the birth of this tradition cotillions were only held by the wealthy. This tradition is not only used, by the wealthy, to promote their daughters but to flaunt their money as well. Today people of all classes practice this extremely expensive tradition, which could bring the less wealthy families into debt. Knowing the history of the cotillion can add more to the its significance to the debutante.
Cotillions and debuts carry great meaning for families that hold them, there are also hidden values as to why they are held. Cotillions and debuts are a way for families to present their daughter to the world as a woman. This presentation shows the world that their daughter is ready to take on the responsibilities the adult world will bring. The cotillion does not mean that the daughter is actually ready to take the adult responsibilities because that's a mental responsibility that doesn't occur by age. In the Cotillion the 18 roses (18 men dance with the debutante, handing her a rose) signify the growth that has occurred and the candles (18 women speak of past memories and wish luck to the debutante after lighting a candle) represent the light in the debutantes future.(Bautista, 13) The roses, presented by males selected by the debutante, symbolize her past because the rose represents beauty, and each rose is a year that adds to the beauty .
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she has become today. The candles, presented by the female family members and friends, wish her luck and give her advice, ultimately in the end it becomes a guiding light of her future. Many parents use cotillions as a symbol of their love for their daughter. A lot of parents encourage their daughter to have cotillions because of its importance: 1) it shows that she is an important asset to their family and society, 2) it tells the world how proud they are of their daughter.