The sight of a religious sister at Revel in the Palace in Bonifacio Global City seemed out of place, but not really when one found out that the party place was hosting an auction of millions of pesos worth of jewelry proceeds of which would go to charity.
Displayed on dramatically-lit, velvet-lined boxes, jewel-encrusted necklaces, cuffs and rings by the Miladay family were up for auction, with proceeds going to five charities they supported.
The brand is run by the same family who started it, the Dayrit siblings, consisting of Michelle Soliven, Yvonne Romualdez, Jaqui Boncan, Mark Dayrit and Christine Dayrit, who happen to be Assumption alumni (with the exception of Mark Dayrit, naturally). Which explains the presence of the Assumption nun.
The five beneficiaries include the Assumption Mission, “a community of sisters and lay partners that aims to provide transformative education and to spread God’s love”; Healing Servants Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing quality education to 365 poor kids in Sorsogon; Carewell, a support group for cancer patients and their families; Verbum Dei, a missionary order; and the Miladay Foundation, currently providing homes for Yolanda survivors in Tacloban.
To celebrate its 50th anniversary, Miladay also held a fashion show to launch its latest collection, featuring the likes of Carin Romualdez, Nikki Boncan-Buensalido and Christel Boncan-Constantino, who wore Patty Ang gowns beneath a selection of Miladay diamonds, rubies, emeralds, blue sapphires, South Sea pearls and gold accessories.
The label also launched its video, #MiladayMuses, produced by Luis Espiritu, featuring muses Sabina Gonzales, Janeena Chan and Kara Gozali.