PSD Prom-time “A Royal Evening of Stars”

By: Fredolin P. Aguinaldo – Doha, Qatar

Prom, short for promenade, is a formal gathering of juniors along with their graduating or senior peers and is highly regarded as a popular social event during high school. It is normally held during February-March.

It is an occasion wherein students take a break from their uniforms and casual clothes and become young adults adorned in the latest formal fashion. Boys usually dress in black formal attire with their boutonnière while girls don exquisite dress designs along with a corsage, given to them by their dates as evident during the Philippine School Doha junior and senior prom at Al Dafna Hall, Sheraton Doha Resort and Convention Hotel last night. 

Choosing a prom outfit is a daunting task for those attending - not only to the student but to their parent's as well; in some cases colors' matching their date's dress is a must to have a better chance of being spotted by judges.

My youngest daughter Anna Mae who is currently a junior opted to buy her prom dress while vacationing in the Philippines last summer. Usually boy's suits and girl’s gowns are purchased from specialized shops in Doha but nowadays some have opted to purchase via internet retailers worldwide or asked their friends or cousins to source-out their outfit in the Philippines becomes a popular trend.

As prom finally approaches, I saw a lot of participants running around various malls here in Qatar doing their last minute shopping for accessories, makeup and other what-nots to complete their "perfect look". I can picture them busy during that time doing dress rehearsals at home after getting everything they need.

Before prom, girls will typically get their hair styled, often in groups as a social activity at a near-by saloon. My daughter, Anna Mae and some of her friends contacted saloon employees and availed home service at one of her classmate's residence. Afterwards I drove them to their final dress set-up at a different residence of another classmate of hers.  Prom dates arrives as well at the designated house for photographs – Micah’s dad transported the group to the prom venue at Al Dafna Hall, Sheraton Doha Resort and Convention Hotel.

The hotel reception lobby was swarmed by well-dressed lads to where a designated photo-booth was specially set-up to cater to prom participant's individuals as well as group photographs for prosperity which of course will definitely end up being posted on their face book and tumblr accounts later.

At prom, a Prom Queen and Prom King are chosen by a panel of judges. These honorary titles are usually awarded to graduating students. Juniors may also be honored, but would be called "Prom Princess" and "Prom Prince" respectively.

Royal Stars of PSD 

Lady MVP of the year

Charmaine Garcia

MVP of the Year

Darrel Rosales

Ms. Personality of the year

Trisha Panzo

Mr. Personality of the year

Mark Tugade

Ms. Darling of the crowd

Joyse Sison

Mr. Darling of the crowd

Andross David

Ms. Winsome smile

Mary Montenegro

Mr. Winsome smile

Isaiah Benedicto

Ms. Trendsetter of the year

Chin Torrijos

 Mr. Trendsetter of the year

Isaiah Bayani

Music Virtuoso

Lorena Hidalgo

Epson Virtudazo

Campus Heartthrob

Shaira Navarro

Ericdan Alayon

JS Prom Venue - Sheraton Doha Resort and Convention Hotel.