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LOOK: Jeffrey Santos's unica hija Karrie Santos is now a gorgeous debutante

by Anna Pingol /

02.08.23
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Photos: Anna Pingol / Melo Balingit

Eighteen years ago, Jeffrey Santos recalls declaring the baby in his wife's womb to be a girl as he says he already had three boys. God heard his plea and gave him Karllyne Vycka, nicknamed Karrie, whom he and Ynna named after their respective mothers. "Karllyne is variant ng pangalan ng mommy ko, Carol diba? And Vycka is a Latin variation of Victoria, pangalan naman ng mommy ng misis ko. So, it's the two grandmas. Pinag-isipan talaga namin yan, 'yong pangalan n'ya."

Karllyne Vycka Santos, the unica hija of versatile actor Jeffrey Santos and wife Ynna, turned 18 on January 31, 2023. But her debutante's ball was held belatedly last February 4 at the clubhouse of the Corinthian Gardens in Quezon City.

The well-put together event was attended by her family members from both her dad (Santos) and mom's side (Ijiran), as well as her dearest and closest friends gathered throughout her 18 years.

Eighteen years ago, too, Jeffrey recalls declaring the baby in his wife's womb to be a girl as he says he already had three boys. God heard his plea and gave him Karllyne Vycka, nicknamed Karrie, whom he and Ynna named after their respective mothers.

"Karllyne is variant ng pangalan ng mommy ko, Carol diba? And Vycka is a Latin variation of Victoria, pangalan naman ng mommy ng misis ko. So, it's the two grandmas. Pinag-isipan talaga namin yan, 'yong pangalan n'ya."

Karrie grew up to be a lovely and well-grounded child who rarely asks for anything grand, says her dad. Her grandest wish, so far, is her debutante's ball.

"Dapat kasi trip ito. She was choosing between a trip or a car or something else," recalls Jeffrey. "Tapos during the pandemic, pumasok sa utak n'ya ito [party]. Sabi n'ya, 'Papa I want to have a party.'

"Sabi ko pa, 'Uy, car na lang... parang mas makakamura tayo sa car. Haha!'

"No, Papa I want to have a party. Siguro na-miss n'ya mga kaibigan during the pandemic kasi ngayon parang 'Hello world,' e. So, minsan lang naman maglambing."

Karrie's smiles—and tears of joy—that night was worth all the penny. She was so appreciative that she literally alternates laughing and crying the entire evening of her ball.

Karrie, described by her equally lovely mom as "the daughter any mother could wish for," has been leaning towards culinary arts even before she turned 18. But her dad says a part of her also wants to try showbiz, just like him and her sister Judy Ann Santos.

"On and off na gusto n'ya," laughs Jeffrey. "There are times na gustong-gusto n'ya...then she gets nervous. So, parang ganu'n 'yong nangyayari. Ngayon, gusto naman n'ya. Sabi ko naman sa kanya walang problema doon. Nag aaral naman siya and the business is open naman for people with passion for the arts."

With a good head on her shoulders, Karrie, whom her aunt Juday describes as someone who puts her 100% in anything ("kaya bilib na bilib kami sa'yo"), can sure become anything she wants to be. The world is hers to explore.

By the way, Karrie, who was in Cloud 9 during her debutante's ball, forget to bring her written speech that night. And she's gracious enough to lend us the content, which we are putting down herein.

"I would like to thank everyone for coming, I really appreciate seeing every one of you here and for doing the effort of dressing up ag driving all the way here to celebrate this day with me. I invited you for a reason, for being a part of my 18 years of living whether I met you years ago or a few months ago.

"I wouldn’t be standing in front of everyone today without you lifting me up and supporting me with whatever I do. I’m here to make everyone proud and I wish I was able to do it and I will continue to do so.

"Of course, this day wouldn’t happen without the organizers, my tita Ivy who did the decorations, H&H, and my tito Gary, tito Obet and tito Ryan who went all the way to Metro Manila to teach the dances and to guide me.

"Lastly, I would like to thanks my parents and kuya EJ. I don’t know how I’m gonna thank you for doing all of this for me. I’m so thankful to have the 3 of you in my life, you guide me all through adulthood and did all of this for me. You worked so hard for this unforgettable event and I can’t thank you enough.

"Here’s to more adventures and lessons with all of you. I love you all dearly and I will cherish each and every one of you. You all have a special place in my heart."