Sixty Years of Heart and Heritage: Miladay Celebrates Six Decades of Love, Legacy, and Craftsmanship

A 60th Anniversary is not simply measured in years. It’s measured in the people, memories, and stories that brought us here.

On August 20, 2026, Miladay celebrated its 60th Anniversary at the Rigodon Ballroom of The Peninsula Manila. What began in 1966 with Mila Salgado Dayrit and a vision for creating fine jewelry has, six decades later, become a Filipino family legacy carried across generations.

Dayrit Family celebrates Miladay’s 60th year anniversary at the Manila Peninsula last August 20

 

Titled Sixty Years of Heart and Heritage, the evening brought together four generations of the Dayrit family, longtime clients, friends, partners, and members of the Miladay community who have been part of the journey.

It was an evening of looking back, but more than anything, it was an evening of gratitude—for the people who helped build Miladay, the stories that shaped it, and the trust that has carried it forward.

For one night, the Rigodon Ballroom became more than a venue. It became a homecoming.

A Living Archive of 60 Years

From the moment guests arrived, they were welcomed into a celebration of Miladay's history.

Archival photographs and legacy panels traced the brand's journey across six decades, while jewelry showcases brought together pieces that reflected Miladay's evolving craftsmanship. Interactive experiences, such as a family portrait studio and the much-loved "Guess How Many Diamonds" game, invited guests to explore, engage, and share in the celebration.

The Rigodon Ballroom transforms into a journey through Miladay’s history, brought to life through archival photographs, six new collections and the unveiling of the Miladay book ‘A Legacy of Trust’.

 

Host Inka Magnaye aptly described the space as a “living archive of Miladay's 60 years.”

The evening opened with a prayer led by Sr. Sheryl Reyes of the Religious of the Assumption—a quiet moment of gratitude and reflection before the celebration began.

A Legacy of Trust, Preserved for Generations

One of the most meaningful moments of the evening was the unveiling of A Legacy of Trust, Miladay's 60th Anniversary coffee-table book.

A year in the making, the book is a collection of family photographs, archival images, interviews, memories, and stories gathered from generations of the Dayrit family and the people who have been part of Miladay's journey.

Book panels featuring snippets from each chapter of A Legacy of Trust, offering glimpses into Miladay’s six-decade journey

 

For the third generation, creating the book became a journey of discovery—one that brought them closer to the people and moments that came before them.

Sales and Marketing Head Samantha Dayrit shared the significance of the project with guests:

“I can’t believe I’m actually saying that. We wrote a book!”

Behind those words were countless hours spent looking through photographs, interviewing family members and longtime employees, revisiting old stories, and uncovering moments that might otherwise have been lost to time.

A family photograph from A Legacy of Trust book

“This book is a tribute to our founders,” Samantha shared. “It's about remembering where we came from, celebrating the people behind Miladay, and ensuring our story lives on forever.”

The other members of the third generation—Nikki, Christel, Alex, Vince, Matthew, Carin, and Cito—then joined Samantha to unveil six books, representing each decade of Miladay's story.

Alex and Sam Dayrit during the unveiling of A Legacy of Trust, Miladay's 60th Anniversary coffee-table book

 

The moment carried an added significance: the book was unveiled just one day before founder Mila Dayrit's 89th birthday.

Honoring Mila and Ting Dayrit

At the center of every Miladay story are its founders, Milagros “Mila” Salgado Dayrit and Vicente “Ting” Dayrit.

Their story began long before Miladay became the jewelry house it is today. Mila's entrepreneurial spirit, love for craftsmanship, and determination laid the foundation for what would become a six-decade journey.

A legacy panel tracing Miladay’s evolution through six decades, from its beginnings to the house it is today

 

During the celebration, CEO Yvonne Dayrit-Romualdez and Chairman Mark Dayrit reflected on the legacy their parents built and on the generations now carrying it forward.

Yvonne spoke about the significance of celebrating this milestone so close to their mother's birthday, reflecting on how proud Mila and Ting would be to see the grandchildren now taking the lead. The 60th Anniversary celebration and the creation of A Legacy of Trust were projects spearheaded by the third generation—a new generation taking an active role in preserving the story they inherited and bringing it into its next chapter.

A legacy panel sharing the love story of Mila and Ting Dayrit, where the Miladay story began

 

For Yvonne, the moment was a poignant reminder that while decades have passed, Mila and Ting remain deeply present in the family's story—and that their legacy continues not only through what they built, but through the generations they inspired.

Mark, meanwhile, turned the spotlight toward the Miladay Production House, reflecting on the craftsmanship at the heart of the business. He shared a formative memory from his early years in Miladay: watching the company's first goldsmith transform raw gold into a finished piece.

A legacy panel showcasing the story of the Miladay Production House and the craftsmanship behind every piece

 

That simple act left a lasting impression and helped shape his deep appreciation for the artistry behind every creation. Today, that same spirit of craftsmanship lives on in the Miladay Production House, where each piece continues to be thoughtfully made by skilled hands.

Six Decades, Six New Collections

A 60th Anniversary is a time to look back—but it is also an opportunity to create something new.

As part of the celebration, President Michelle Dayrit-Soliven introduced six limited-edition Anniversary Capsule Collections, created exclusively to mark Miladay's 60th year. Each collection draws inspiration from a different part of Miladay's story—from its founders and Filipino roots to the values, memories, and craftsmanship that have shaped the house across six decades.

Together, they transform 60 years of history into something that can be worn, treasured, and carried into the future.

Legacy

Miladay's signature anniversary collection features joyful and radiant yellow gemstones—the house's iconic color. A celebration of warmth, optimism, and the spirit that has defined Miladay for six decades.

The Legacy Collection features radiant yellow gemstones in Miladay's signature color

Founder's

Inspired by the original creations of founder Mama Mila, this collection brings her timeless aesthetic into the present while honoring the woman whose creativity and vision started it all.

Crafted in white gold with intricate detailing, each piece reflects the elegance and artistry that defined Mila’s original designs

 

Milagros

Filipiniana-inspired designs meet luminous pearls in a tribute to Miladay's roots. The collection traces the brand's beginnings—from a simple packet of loose pearls to the lasting legacy that grew from it.

The Milagros Collection features lustrous gold South Sea Pearls

 

Vicente

Named in honor of Papa Ting, this collection introduces modern men's jewelry defined by strength, character, and purpose. A tribute to the men who leave their mark on the world and the legacy they leave behind.

The Vicente Collection features Black and Green Onyx, Green Malachite, and Tiger’s Eye

Bloom

Inspired by Mama Mila's love for butterflies and flowers, Bloom celebrates nature, joy, and transformation. Multi-colored diamonds capture the beauty of life in full bloom.

The Bloom Collection features delicate butterflies and floral inspired designs crafted multi-colored diamonds

 

Reimagined

Inspired by the Heart & Heritage Anniversary emblem, this commemorative collection was handcrafted by the Miladay Production House using recycled gold and repurposed gemstones. Its signature medal brings together meaningful symbols from the Miladay story: a family tree representing generations, loose pearls recalling its beginnings, and Mama Mila's beloved butterfly.

Reimagined by Miladay gives treasured gold and gemstones new form, inspired by our Heart & Heritage anniversary emblem and the symbols of Mama Mila's story.

 

More than six new collections, the Anniversary Capsules are six new expressions of a story six decades in the making. They honor where Miladay has been while reminding us that a legacy is not something that stands still.

The Six Loves of Miladay

A legacy is not only about what a family builds. It is also about what it chooses to give back.

During the evening, Miladay honored its “Six Loves”—the organizations and communities that have been part of the family's journey through the years: the Healing Servants Foundation, Assumption College, the Verbum Dei Missionary Community, Carewell Foundation, the Miladay Foundation, and the newly introduced Ephesus House.

The Six Loves of Miladay  Celebrating six organizations close to our hearts, whose causes we have proudly supported through the years. (L to R) Yvonne Dayrit-Romualdez, Fr. Gerard Deveza (Healing Servants Foundation), Sr. Sheryl Reyes, R.A. (Assumption Mission Schools), Toots Magsino (Carewell Foundation) , Manette Roxas (Miladay Foundation), Fr. Dennis Paez (Ephesus Foundation), Fr. Iwao Ikegami (Verbum Dei), Michelle Soliven and Mark Dayrit

 

Representatives from each organization joined the Dayrit family onstage, marking a moment of gratitude for the relationships and causes that have remained close to the family's heart.

For Miladay, these partnerships are an important part of its heritage—a reminder that the true measure of a legacy extends beyond what is created and into the lives that are touched along the way.

Milestones on the Runway

The celebration of Miladay's craftsmanship continued with Milestones on the Runway, a fashion show that brought six decades of jewelry and memories to life.

The runway featured pieces from across the house, from the timeless Classics Collection to the modern 1380 Collection, alongside bridal pieces and jewelry celebrating the bond between mothers and daughters.

The people who brought Milestones on the Runway to life—our family friends and longtime Miladay clients

 

But the most special part of the runway was the people wearing them.

Many of the models were longtime clients, family friends, and members of the extended Miladay family—people whose relationship with the brand has grown far beyond a simple transaction.

Some have been part of Miladay's story for years. Some have watched their own children and grandchildren discover the brand. And some have become family along the way.

That made Milestones on the Runway feel less like a traditional fashion show and more like a celebration of the milestones Miladay has been privileged to witness.

Then came one of the evening's most unforgettable moments.

A bride appeared wearing Mama Mila's original 1959 wedding gown, paired with her archival necklace and payneta.

Karen Piccio walks during a fashion show called Milestones on the Runway, wearing the original wedding dress, necklace and Payneta of Mama Mila

 

The gown, worn by Mila herself decades before Miladay was established, became a powerful symbol of everything the evening represented: a treasured piece of family history, brought forward into a new generation.

The finale brought the four generations of the Dayrit family together, walking and dancing down the runway to the tune of “We Are Family.” It was a jubilant and joyous ending to close such a breathtaking show.

The Dayrit family takes the runway for the finale of Milestones on the Runway

Raising a Glass to the Next Chapter

As the evening drew on, Alex and Samantha Dayrit invited everyone to raise a glass to 60 years of milestones, memories, and stories.

“Here's to sixty years of heart and heritage,” Samantha said. “To the memories we've shared, the milestones we've celebrated, and the many beautiful stories still to come.”

It was more than a toast to the past. It was a toast to the future.

Music and dancing carried the celebration into the evening, with third-generation family member Vince Sol as the DJ.

Vince Soliven takes over the DJ booth as the celebration continues into the night

 

The celebration was made even more special with a six-prize anniversary raffle, thoughtfully curated with the support of Christine Dayrit, Director of Public Relations. Guests had the chance to win unforgettable stays at A2A Safari, Rayavadee, InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, and Hotel de la Coupole, along with two Miladay jewelry pieces.

More than prizes, they were beautiful gifts of gratitude—six prizes for six decades shared with the people who have been part of Miladay's journey and helped make 60 years possible.

As the evening came to a close, one thing was clear: this milestone was not an ending.

It was another chapter.

Sixty years of heart.
Sixty years of heritage.
And a legacy still being written.

A Legacy of Trust will soon be available at Miladay stores nationwide.