SOCIAL SET
Anatomy of an heirloom: Sixty years of trust, tradition and art of the Filipino soul
It was a fitting reminder that, in Manila’s high-society circles, jewelry is rarely just an acquisition. These pieces become vessels of memory, carrying stories from one generation to the next.
On the evening of 20 August 2026, the storied Rigodon Ballroom of The Peninsula Manila became a celebration of Filipino romance and heritage as Miladay Jewels marked its diamond jubilee — 60 years of crafting pieces that have become part of the country’s cultural and personal history.
Beneath warm, muted lights, the runway unfolded as a tapestry of memory and haute couture, reaching its emotional peak with the appearance of an original 1959 bridal Filipiniana gown once worn by the brand’s matriarch.
The milestone also marked the unveiling of A Legacy of Trust, a coffee-table book chronicling the house’s journey from a simple gift of loose pearls between founders Ting and Mila Dayrit into a multigenerational jewelry dynasty.
It was a fitting reminder that, in Manila’s high-society circles, jewelry is rarely just an acquisition. These pieces become vessels of memory, carrying stories from one generation to the next.
For six decades, Miladay has held a distinctive place in Philippine fashion history, translating the meticulous craft of local plateros into a refined visual language that honors Filipino identity while standing alongside the world’s celebrated jewelry traditions.
More than a jeweler, the house has become part of the country’s collective memory, having created the wedding bands of Philippine cinema icons Fernando Poe Jr. and Susan Roces. By balancing time-honored craftsmanship with contemporary design, Miladay has helped shape how generations of Filipino women celebrate milestones, express individuality, and carry tradition forward.
Now guided by its third generation, the house continues to look toward the future while remaining rooted in the legacy that brought it here — preserving a distinctly Filipino story of craftsmanship, elegance and enduring trust.