It is a Philippine custom for 18-year old young ladies to have birthday parties that are made extra special, being the debut or "coming-out" party, when parents formally introduce their daughter to society. For this memorable event, the birthday cake is more lavish and out-of-the-ordinary.

Debutantes' cakes vary in designs and construction. Most often requested is a two-tiered cake with stairs although many young ladies now opt for a more elegant set-up consisting of three layers or more with eighteen mini cakes around. Flowers may be real and fresh, or edible and made of sugar. To provide more fun and excitement during the party, pull-out charms* may be included in the cake ensemble.

* The tradition of pull-out charms or ribbon pulls has now been adapted in debutantes' parties. Charms or trinkets with meanings or fortunes, are inserted and hidden in the cake base. These charms are attached to ribbons that hang loose outside the cake. At an appointed time, young lady guests of the debutante are invited to each pull a ribbon and claim the charm that would "foretell her future." Ribbon pulling is exciting and allows for lots of fun, teasing and giggling when they see who got which charm.

In some instances, young ladies would rather have a more intimate family gathering with only a few close friends in attendance. Even then, a small one-layer cake can still be made sweet and extra special to delight the heart.