NICOLE  SAMANTHA  HUFF, BEAUTIFUL at 18

By Susan Llanera
Toronto-Canada
June 7, 2016



A Hollywood-themed Red Carpet event, a magically inspired ambiance that transformed each detail almost to its perfection with the ballroom filled with red, black and gold balloons, the hallway entrance finely decorated with a magnificent 18th birthday ice sculpture and a star-studded eventful experience of a lifetime, was indeed a dream come true for a bubbly girl who has blossomed into a young woman, Nicole Samantha Huff, beautiful at 18, in her "coming of age" wore a stunning red gown with a long and flowing intricate train, fit for a Princess, coutured by a well-known designer Piter Otordos, of Pitcouture from the Philippines. Piter has been designing Nicole's costumes and gowns since she was a little girl .

The lavish and elegant Debutante’s Ball was thrown by Mr. and Mrs. Eva and Terry Huff, in honour of their one and only daughter, Nicole Samantha Huff. Embracing and preserving our very own cultural tradition of the Philippine Debut, the HUFFS have from the time their only daughter turned 18, have adopted the concept of holding a Debut.  The grandiose celebration took place at the elegant Omni King Edward Hotel in Toronto, Ontario on Sunday, May 29^th, 2016.

Guests were given the red carpet treatment as they make their way into the Vanity Fair Ballroom. Relatives flew from as far as the Philippines, Singapore and USA, colleagues from the famous TV series "Degrassi" were present, classmates, close family friends and business associates did not miss this unforgettable occasion. Cocktails and Hors d'oeuvres was served as the guests arrived.

They were also treated from a sumptuous Entree of Riesling Marinated Supreme of Chicken, served with Herb Roasted Potatoes & Seasonal Vegetables, Watercress, Frisee and Arugula Salad, Toasted Pumpkin Seeds, Orange and Pickled Red Onion Vinaigrette, Chocolate Espresso Tiramisu Parfait and Black and White Terrine alternating dessert, with white or red wine, coffee and selection of teas to a lively entertainment performed by the debutante herself, with her expertise in playing a couple of her finest piano pieces and a signature rendition of her all-time favourite song "Memories". Nicole, together with her cotillion court, comprised of Loren Amaral & James Terrasi, Jennifer Ho & Jack Zheng, Natalia-Maria Amoroso & Alexei Otckaasov, Katerina Goncharouk & Jake Portnoy, Calista Buckingham & Kalem Noel, Amanda Incognito & Jake Zegil, Shawna Shub & Justin Garcia, Makayla Myrick & Snicker Huff and Nicole & her escort, Jacob Korenev, a ballroom dance champion under age 21, who made the grand entrance to the Vanity Fair Ballroom.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation by the debutante and her court of the "Cotillion de Honor", thoughtfully choreographed by Inessa Roliz, a Russian dance champion and choreographer. But the most endearing moment was the "Father and Daughter" first dance, where Nicole changed from her stunning red gown to another beautiful red princess gown. The father was quoted as saying, ‘Tonight you become an adult and now you will learn to become a responsible woman’. Hopping from one designer gown to another, Nicole fittingly became the Princess of the Ball. Beaming with joy, she was presented with 18 red roses by 18 distinguished gentlemen namely, Gary Grover, Jessie Oribiana, Romy Medina, Marc Oribiana, Joshua Oribiana, Romy Aguillon, Jake Portnoy, Justin Garcia, Jake Zelgi, Arun Prasad, Morris Kansun, Steve Shub, Orest Kruczaj, Jacob Korenev, Francis Oribiana, Teddy Oribiana, Roger Lozon and Nicole's Dad, Terry Huff, being  who were lucky to have gotten the rare honor to dance with her. Furthermore, a group of 18 hand-picked ladies, Christine Huff, Barbara Kansun, Lauren Grover, Neriza Figueroa, Cecil Shub, Joan Oribiana, Siony Aguillon, Sarah Oribiana, Inessa Roliz, Ruth Myrick, Fran Magnante, Julieta Gardner, Angie Niro, Janet Hamparian, Lorraine Incognito, Lita Medina, Suzy Llanera and Nicole's Mom, Eva Huff, took turns to light the candle with each being given the opportunity to share a few words of wisdom to the celebrator. Finally, 18 treasures were presented to Nicole by her close family and friends, Amanda, Shawna, Kate, Jennifer, Natalia-Maria, Loren, Calista, Sam, Josette, Margaret, Sydney, Mikayla, Tamara, Monica, Melissa, Eleasha, Aleshia and Ally.

Ably hosted by Scott Dion Brown, an actor, model, producer, filmmaker and the lead singer of the rock band Symphony of Nine. The flow of the program was well coordinated by Monica Oribiana and Nesel Batle. Music was provided by Tony D'Souza of DJ Elite. Credits went to the Staff of Omni King Edward Hotel; Make-up by Sonia from Mac; Hair by Nazi; Photobooth was provided throughout he evening; the amazing pre-video and post-video presentations and SDE (same day edit) photo coverage by the talented Goody Cambay and crew and the gigantic birthday cake and cupcakes was gorgeously arranged by the owner Carol and baked by Nanay Taling.

Highly notable performances of the evening were rendered by Maria Panaligan, a singing idol champion; Gian Carlo Bobila, an award-winning singer; Tony Yang, a young piano player; Richard Walters, a Canadian musician & an actor best known for his role as 'Tiny' on the TV series Degrassi; Ava Agustin, a  Canadian Joey award nominee; and a fine execution of a Latin ballroom dance performed by Alex Maslanka and Christine Budniak, both a successful ballroom dancers.

As Nicole has been profoundly blessed by God, over the past 18 years of her life, and as she ventures into adulthood, she shared her blessings by giving back to the community. She requested her guests to bring non-perishable items to be donated to the Toronto Food Bank, cash donations to the Toronto Sick Children's Hospital and Children's Wish Foundation where Nicole plans to volunteer at this charitable organization and the proceeds from a 50/50 draw was awarded to the United Way Foundation.

Fittingly, as you all know, our debutante Nicole, the star and princess of the night is a multi-talented young woman. She is what people in the entertainment industry call "a triple-threat". She can sing, dance and act. She is also a figure skater, plays the piano, guitar, violin, flute and clarinet. On top of that, not only she is a first degree black belt in Karate but is very fluent in French language, as well. Nicole played the character of 'Gloria Chin', in the Degrassi series, Season 14, "Don't Look Back" episode.

Indeed, it was yet another memorable evening of elegance, sophistication and an all-around classy celebration by THE HUFF FAMILY for a well-deserved debutante, MISS NICOLE SAMANTHA ORIBIANA HUFF!/sl