Queens and kings of convenience

MANILA, Philippines - If you are above the age of 18 and think your prom wasn’t the least bit awkward, you are a genetic aberration. Who doesn’t cringe at the memory of boutonnière pining under the steely eye of your date’s dad, posing for couple portraits, or slow dancing to a Jonas Brothers ballad?

It matters not if you were a teenager yesterday or today; prom was specifically invented to be an adolescent nightmare. So it does come as a bit of a surprise that a horrifying occasion has inspired much lore and legend. There aren’t enough fingers on both your hands to count how many movies, books and songs have been made about it.

Young Star meets a couple of cool kids on the block to hopefully enlighten us on this sociological mystery. You have young models on the brink of stardom, recalling broken bumpers, ball gowns, and a tricky ménage a trois, and quick-witted teens with a penchant for young Hollywood. These brave souls disclose that it doesn’t matter if you’ve been to prom or are just about to — the trick is to keep calm and carry on.

Joco San Juan, 22

How was your prom?

My junior prom was the basic prom with suits. Our senior prom had a beach theme. The second one was much more fun.

Were you excited for it?

The juniors: Joco San Juan in Azur, The Ramp Crossings, United Colors of Benetton pastel green long sleeves, Sledgers black formal shoes available at Res Toe Run and Kerry Tinga in brown dress from Zara.

Of course I was excited. There were no classes! (Laughs)

What did you wear?

For my junior prom, I wore a turtleneck. (Laughs) I know, I know! When I recall that now, I think, “I was wearing a turtleneck?”

Who did you bring as your date?

The funny thing is, I had three dates. What happened was, the first girl approached, and she asked me. I couldn’t say no. Before that, I already asked someone. Actually, there were two of them who approached. I knew I’d feel bad if I said no.

What did they say when they found out you were bringing the three of them?

They were fine with it. I went to a small school, and they knew each other.

Kerry Tinga, 13

Have you had prom yet?

No, not yet. I still have a few years to go.

Are you excited about prom?

Yeah, but I think some people treat it as the most defining moment of your life. Sometimes, they think that prom is so important. But then, after, there’s so much more. I think it’s an experience everybody should go through, because it seems like so much fun, but I think it shouldn’t be taken so seriously.

What would your dream prom be like?

I’d just like it simple. What would be really cool would be a masquerade theme. I just love masquerades, and so everybody comes in masks, kind of like Phantom of the Opera.

Are you thinking of bringing a date?

I think I’ll just go with friends; hopefully they’re free. I don’t mean that like I wish they were alone (laughs), but I think that’ll be fun.

Who would your dream date be?

Young Leonardo DiCaprio, from Catch Me If You Can. I just really like him.

The wallflowers: Kylie Tinga in blue strapless dress with swarovski and feather design by Popo Go and and Kerbie Zamora in Azur, The Ramp Crossings, Gas Jeans black button-down shirt, DC black leather sneakers available at Bratpack.

Kylie Tinga, 15

Have you had prom yet?

We’re having our own prom next year, but the lower classmen got to join the third year’s prom. It’s held in the school auditorium.

What are you looking forward to?

It’s an opportunity for really nice clothes, what you wouldn’t usually wear. So I’m interested in seeing that on other people. We’re gonna prepare together, but we’re probably not gonna rent a limo. That might be a bit much.

What do you usually do during prom in your school?

Usually, it’s just a short party. There are a couple of musical performances, sometimes from student bands. We have the prom king and queen, like usual. Mostly it’s just an opportunity to hang out with friends.

Where would your ideal prom be? Would you like it to be somewhere else?

I’d prefer it to be in a hotel, but it’s fine that it’s in the auditorium. But it does feel like the school’s watching you, so you better be on your best behavior, or else. (Laughs)

Are you guys planning to go to an after-party?

We’re not sure about that. Some people are talking about it, but I don’t know if I’ll go myself. If we have an after-party, it sort of defeats the purpose of prom.

Kerbie Zamora, 22

How was your prom?

It was okay. It’s been a while.

What expectations did you have?

I just wanted it to be fun and memorable, because it was the last day of high school.

Who did you bring with you?

No one. I went stag.

What did you like about prom and hated it about it the most?

I liked the food. It was good. And I hate the dancing. I don’t know how to dance. It was embarrassing.

How was the after-party?

We went to Antipolo, in Cloud Nine. My friend brought a car, and we got drunk. His parents didn’t know he took it. Eh napasarap. We bumped into a tree. The bumper and the lights got wrecked.

If you could go back to your prom, who would you bring?

I’d bring my girlfriend, Jasmine (Maierhofer).

Gwen Ruais, 21

How was your prom?

Prom queen gone stag: Gwendoline Ruais in old rose strapless dress with Swarovski details by Popo Go, shoes by Janylin.

I went to the European International School, and in the French system, we don’t have prom. It’s not in our culture, I guess.

But you’re aware of the prom culture nonetheless?

Yeah, of course. We live in the Philippines, and most of the people we hang out with in international schools have prom. I went to prom at one of their schools. It was fun, but it wouldn’t be as much fun because your batch wasn’t there. We were spread out in the proms of other schools. It’s not really your prom, you’re just going to someone else’s prom.

Did you expect anything from it?

It wasn’t really a big deal. I guess for French people, if you want to have a party, you can have a party.

Where did you go afterward?

At that time, Encore was still in. That was like, what, 2007? (Laughs) Actually, I think that during prom, what people look forward to the most is the after-party. Prom is nice, but it’s supervised, so you can’t really do what you want exactly.

What did you wear?

I had this gown made by Nicki Martinez. I designed it with him, and at that time I really liked backless dresses and white. It was like a white beaded dress, it was really, really nice. It had a long train. I enjoyed it because I got design my own dress.