Daughter's first prom
By Macy
@almostoveryou (4954)
Philippines
June 14, 2023 11:51pm CST
Last Tuesday was my daughter's first junior high school prom. We dropped her off at Sofitel in Manila at 6pm. I was quite amused to know that her prom's going to be at this ballroom where my batchmates and I had a graduation cotillion many, many years ago. 
While waiting for the prom to finish, my husband and other daughter and I drove to a mall to have dinner then later parked by the seaside. I haven't seen Manila Bay at night for like ... 18 years?
We picked up first daughter at 11:30pm and got home at past 12mn. We were all tired and sleepy. I kinda lost my sleepiness though and waited until 3 am to doze off. I didn't imagine prom to be tiring for a parent. Haha.
Did you ever attend a prom? Never got the chance to attend one because I attended a private high school for girls that didn't allow parties with boys.
Curious to know -- do you still remember the songs that were played in your prom?
While waiting for the prom to finish, my husband and other daughter and I drove to a mall to have dinner then later parked by the seaside. I haven't seen Manila Bay at night for like ... 18 years?
We picked up first daughter at 11:30pm and got home at past 12mn. We were all tired and sleepy. I kinda lost my sleepiness though and waited until 3 am to doze off. I didn't imagine prom to be tiring for a parent. Haha.
Did you ever attend a prom? Never got the chance to attend one because I attended a private high school for girls that didn't allow parties with boys.
Curious to know -- do you still remember the songs that were played in your prom?12 people like this
11 responses
@almostoveryou (4954)
• Philippines
16 Jun 23
My high school only had a JS turnover -- just the seniors socializing with the juniors. We dressed up and dolled up the tomboyish ones. It was fun and I also feel that I didn't miss much. I wasn't really interested in boys at that age.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502427)
• Italy
16 Jun 23
@almostoveryou - I have only seen Proms parties in movies, even my niece had no Prom party when she graduated, same the girl of my neighbors here.
1 person likes this
@almostoveryou (4954)
• Philippines
16 Jun 23
My daughter went to a Catholic school and proms were not allowed either. But this one prom for her batch was primarily organized by parents and supported by a few school staff. I'm glad that protocols were strict. They were not allowed to leave the ballroom unless accompanied by a parent.
2 people like this
@rsa101 (40976)
• Philippines
16 Jun 23
@almostoveryou I know Sofitel's location is a bit far from the residential area more like a commercial area only is there. I just do not know if there are nearby condos there already.
1 person likes this
@almostoveryou (4954)
• Philippines
16 Jun 23
It is. Sofitel is known for that. I had my grad ballroom there too. It's just quite far from where we live and where my daughter's school is located. Driving there felt like going on a field trip.
2 people like this
@almostoveryou (4954)
• Philippines
16 Jun 23
@rsa101 oh there's lots of condos there now. and office buildings.
2 people like this
@toniganzon (77156)
• Philippines
15 Jun 23
Oh yes! I never missed a prom. Both in my junior and senior year. And so did my son.
2 people like this
@toniganzon (77156)
• Philippines
16 Jun 23
@almostoveryou Why did she hesitate. When I was in high school, in our generation, it was something very special and to miss a prom is like missing a big part of your high school life.
@almostoveryou (4954)
• Philippines
16 Jun 23
It must've been quite an experience for you and for your son too. I never got to attend one so I tried to convince my daughter to experience it herself even though she was hesitant at first.
2 people like this
@almostoveryou (4954)
• Philippines
17 Jun 23
@toniganzon She probably wasn't keen on dressing up. But I reminded her that it's the only time that she'll be able to have a prom with her batchmates because she's transferring to another school for senior high. I'm glad she changed her mind. We got her the kind of dress she wanted and brought her to the salon for hair and makeup. She was happy to have experienced a prom.
1 person likes this
@jstory07 (148730)
• Roseburg, Oregon
15 Jun 23
I never went to a prom. When I was asked I told the date I would rather go to celebratory Sports center. Where you pay a entrance fee and bowl, swim and do other things . He actually agreed with me and three other couples joined us. We had more fun than going to a prom. Three of my kids went to the prom two years in a row and had a good time.
2 people like this
@jstory07 (148730)
• Roseburg, Oregon
15 Jun 23
@LindaOHio A lot better than going to the prom.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (222302)
• United States
15 Jun 23
@story07 Our high school rented out a sports center for us "losers" that didn't get invited to prom. It was an all night affair; and we have bowling, mini golf, dancing, swimming and the snack bar at our disposal. It was very cool.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (222302)
• United States
15 Jun 23
I wasn't asked to Prom. We "losers" had a big party at a local entertainment center. The school rented out the whole complex. It was an all night affair; and we had bowling, mini golf, swimming, dancing and the snack bar for the whole night.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (222302)
• United States
16 Jun 23
@almostoveryou Back in the 60s I don't believe we were allowed to go to Prom without a date.
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@almostoveryou (4954)
• Philippines
16 Jun 23
I would've preferred to just go bowling and have some snacks. Not a big deal to not be invited anyway. In my daughter's prom, it's not required to have a date. You just come and enjoy the socials and the dancing and the food.
2 people like this
@allknowing (153530)
• India
16 Jun 23
We do not have this - I could say nowhere in India anyone has it
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@almostoveryou (4954)
• Philippines
16 Jun 23
It's probably not part of your culture. I understand.
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@almostoveryou (4954)
• Philippines
16 Jun 23
Thank you. She wore a nice navy blue dress and we had her hair and makeup done at a salon. I think she liked being dolled up. :)
2 people like this
@rakski (156441)
• Philippines
16 Jun 23
@almostoveryou my daughter enjoyed it though she does not like much parties
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@almostoveryou (4954)
• Philippines
16 Jun 23
I hope she enjoyed it. :) My daughter seems to like dressing up. When I was her age, I despised parties and social stuff and absolutely disliked having to dress up.
2 people like this
@aninditasen (18198)
• Raurkela, India
15 Jun 23
We didn't have any such thing when we were in school or college.
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@aninditasen (18198)
• Raurkela, India
16 Jun 23
@almostoveryou We just got a farewell party when we left school for college.
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@almostoveryou (4954)
• Philippines
16 Jun 23
What other forms of socialization did you have at school?
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@Treborika (18194)
• Mombasa, Kenya
15 Jun 23
All the best for her. let her have a bright future in her life
2 people like this
@almostoveryou (4954)
• Philippines
16 Jun 23
Thanks. She didn't want to go at first but I told her that this is the only time that she can attend a prom with her batchmates as she's transferring to another school. So I'm glad she decided to go. It's quite an experience.
1 person likes this
