This is the heart-breaking moment a teenager bursts into tears at her 18th birthday party - dancing with a teddy bear adorned with her late father's face.

Aljean Legaspino was celebrating her ''debut party'' in Davo, Philippines, where the traditional custom at the coming of age events is for the girl to have her first ever dance with her father.

But Aljean's dad Rogelio was killed in a car accident four years ago. Although sometimes an uncle or brother might step in, Aljean's relatives knew the ''daddy's girl'' would rather dance alone, than have someone try take her father's place.

The birthday girl was expecting to awkwardly give the dance a miss, but her family surprised her by presenting her with a large teddy bear which they had ordered and printed Rogelio's picture to wrap around the bears head.

When it came to the big moment, Aljean broke down as she clutched the bear and a bundle of roses while slowly dancing in her red dress with tears pouring down her face.

Aljean's cousin Janine said all of the guests were moved by the gesture and many were crying at the event on August 20.

She said: ''Aljean was so close to her father. Everyone knew it would be hard for her to reach this milestone in her life without him. We knew she was feeling sad about not being able to dance with him.

''We did this small gesture so that Aljean could feel close to him again. I am sure that he is looking down over her and protecting her. He would have been so proud.''

Speaking afterwards, Aljean said it was a very bitter sweet moment. She added: ''I was crying so much