Prom Filipino-style

So I admit, I've let this whole blogging thing slide a little, and I wish I could say I'll get better, but to be honest, it probably won't happen. There haven't been many new developments to report, just the ongoing battle to find my place in the LGU, find projects to work on, figure out my life outside of work, learn the language, and continue adjusting to this completely different culture.

One thing I deemed worthy of a blog post, though, was the Siaton Science High School prom I just attended. And when I say “just attended,” I mean “just attended,” as in 20 minutes ago I was there and now I'm writing about it so I don't forget any bizarre details. My host family aunt here in Siaton is the principle of the high school so I got to experience the event from the observing teacher's perspective. I'll start with the logistics:

WHAT: Siaton Science High School Junior and Senior Prom

WHO: Juniors and seniors in attendance of course (maybe 30-40 in each grade), teachers and parents, freshmen and sophomore students observing, and any random passers-by who happen to walk past the venue and feel like stopping to watch (it's a very public event)

WHEN: Thursday, February 13, 2pm-6pm approximately and continuing into the night

WHERE: The gym/dance/pageant/event hall located in the center of town with open walls and a stage (very nicely decorated, though)

ATTIRE: Juniors and seniors in expected prom attire with boys wearing suits and girls wearing prom-style (and also some homecoming-style) dresses and too-tall high heeled shoes (like only the kind it's possible for super models to walk in). Teachers also in prom attire, if not just fancy Sunday-best. Parents mostly in fancy Sunday-best but some just in nice t-shirts and jeans. Freshmen and sophomore students in their school uniforms. Passers-by in regular street clothes just like any other day (because to them, it is any other day). Me in jeans and a black polo with my draw-string bag (I came straight from work and had no idea what to expect. I mostly stayed in the back though so it wasn't too embarrassing.)

SIMILARITES TO AMERICAN PROM: Fancy outfits, a catered meal, dancing to the latest hits, prom king and queen (called Mr. and Mrs. Science High here), guys not asking the girls to dance when prompted, announcing couples on stage (not sure if every prom does this last one, but my prom did)

DIFFERENCES: Prom is a graded event (!!!), ballroom dancing, parents in attendance, speeches, a program

Now I'll go into the story:

To get you in the right mindset, you have to understand this is more of a ceremony than the “fun dance” American proms are like. It has the fun dance part too, but you have to get through the ceremony first. Since the majority of the prom happened in the afternoon and I had work, I wasn't able to see the entire event, but there was a program so I was able to see what I had missed. The program included speeches of thanks and recognition, the history of the school, the students saying their dream jobs (some were Apples engineers and others were fashion designers or political ambassadors), and choreographed ballroom dances. The dancing was what really caught my attention. First off, they were ABLE to do ballroom dancing, nothing too extreme mind you, but still, in the States that's not a very common thing to see high schoolers doing. The juniors have dances they do and then the seniors have a ~15 minute waltz they do. I thought that was crazy enough until my aunt told me they were being graded on the dancing and had choreographed the whole thing themselves in 2 weeks! And since there were more girls than guys (like in almost every setting in life), some of the dance couples were girl-girl. It was interesting watching couples of girls doing these dances in high heeled shoes neither of them could really walk in. There was also the handing down of the “key” and “book of knowledge” from the senior class to the junior class. Not really sure what the significance was with those, but it seemed important.

Only after the 3 and a half hour program was over did the dinner start, followed by what I like to call the fun part. And you could definitely tell when that started. I began recognizing prom stereotypes: cameras coming out and everyone taking a million pictures, guys and girls no longer dancing one-on-one but rather in groups, music blaring and making your chest pound, and girls showing the obvious pain their feet were in because of their shoes. Up until this point I hadn't been sure if the two cultures' proms had anything in common, but this eased my conscience. However, another curve ball in this event was that this “fun part” only lasted about 30 minutes. Then there was a break so everyone could go home and change into more comfortable clothes only to return later and continue the fun. I actually really like that idea, if only for the sake of high-heeled-tortured-feet. I think the States should adopt this part.

But ya, this sums up the Filipino Prom! So, until next time!

And quick update on my volunteer life, this weekend I'm leaving for my batch's 2 week long IST (In Service Training). This is the first time in 5 months I will have been able to see most of my batch so I'm really excited. We've been at site for 5 months now and in the Philippines for 7 and a half months. The time is going by so fast but there is still so much time left, which is definitely needed. I've barely begun to scratch the surface on what I can do for my community.

The decked out gym

Fancy tables and setting

Ballroom dancing

Seniors' waltz