Sixteen-year-old Ayisha Madlen Lagdameo made her formal society debut on June 29, 2025, at the grand ballroom of Dusit Thani Hotel Davao, as this year's Hijos de Davao Muse.
The title—traditionally reserved for young women from Davao’s most prominent families—was fittingly bestowed on her as the daughter of Davaoeño political figure Antonio Ernesto "Anton" Floirendo Lagdameo Jr., husband of veteran actress Dawn Zulueta.
The Hijos de Davao Ball, now on its 61st year, marked the city’s annual celebration of the Feast of St. Peter, Davao’s patron saint.
It gathered an esteemed crowd of local leaders, founding families, and regional icons, all bound by a desire to preserve legacy and community.
Organized by the Hijos de Davao, a socio-civic organization established in 1964, the ball is a signature event that brings together generations of Davaoeños in celebration of shared heritage.
Read: Dawn Zulueta proud of teenage daughter Ayisha’s achievement in ballet
DETAILS OF AYISHA'S LOOK
Gown
Ayisha’s custom ensemble, crafted in a palette of dusty rose and mauve, reflected both youthfulness and formality.
The gown featured a padded straight-neck tube bodice with an open-front peplum hem, accented with 3D beaded floral appliqués.
It flowed into a perfectly pleated ball skirt in a deeper shade, creating soft dimension.
Hair and make-up
Make-up artist Reemo Phet Jerobe Maceda described Ayisha as “the sweetest morena girly” and enhanced her natural warmth with pastel pinks.
Her look included laminated brows, baby pink glitter along the lower lash line, flushed cheeks, and glossed taffy-colored lips.
Ayisha's sun-kissed skin—still showing signs of a recent beach trip—was left mostly untouched.
Her auburn hair, styled by Kimberly Silva, was parted at the center and fell in voluminous waves from mid-length to the ends.
Accessories
Ayisha’s tiara, handcrafted by Davao’s oldest homegrown jewelry house, Emilia Sitjar Jewellery, added the right amount of shine and spectacle to the evening.
Jewellers Christian Emralino Pasumbal and Emil Vincent S. Sitjar chose pearls, the young lady's birthstone, as the crown’s focal point.
They also used aquamarines—Dawn's birthstone—and natural diamonds.
"It is always one of the dreams for jewellers to create very important pieces for distinct personalities and occasion. That dream came true last night," Pasumbal wrote in a Facebook post.
Read: Dawn Zulueta's daughter Ayisha celebrates 13th birthday in London
MORE THAN A MOMENT
To be chosen as Hijos de Davao Muse means tying together generations of Davao’s evolving social fabric.
Ayisha’s participation as muse was about stepping into a long-running tradition of paying tribute to one's lineage.
Her father, Secretary Anton Lagdameo—who currently serves as the Special Assistant to the President under President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.—hails from one of Davao's most influential political and economic families.
His maternal grandfather, Antonio Floirendo Sr., was a key Marcos Sr.-era ally and the founder of Tagum Agricultural Development Company (TADECO), one of the country’s largest banana producers.
Over the decades, the Lagdameos and Floirendos have maintained considerable influence in Mindanao not just in politics, but also in business and cultural affairs.
SIXTEEN BY THE SEA
Just a week earlier, the Lagdameos celebrated Ayisha’s 16th birthday with a weekend beach getaway.
The event included jet skiing, boating, beach volleyball, poolside games, and a fire dancing performance.
Dawn posted moments from the celebration on Instagram, writing: “Wonderful friends altogether welcomed the summer break with a beach party celebration for Ayisha’s sweet sixteenth birthday. Lovin’ every minute.”
A quieter family gathering followed at home, with Anton, Dawn, and Ayisha's brother Jacobo Madlen Lagdameo.
Bundled pink balloons, including large number “16” inflatables and a heart balloon that read “Happy Birthday AYISHA,” filled their living space.
Cupcakes shaped to form “16” on the table were decorated with edible seashells and starfish candies.
“Happy Sweet 16, Ayisha! Wishing you a year filled with love, laughter, happy adventures, and the courage to chase your dreams,” Dawn wrote in a follow-up post.
“Happy birthday, my brave girl.”
READ MORE:
- Dawn Zulueta sends off son Jacobo Lagdameo to college in New York
- Anton Lagdameo and Dawn Zulueta celebrate 25th wedding anniversary
- Dawn Zulueta's son Jacobo "napaka-debonaire" in his junior prom suit
- Dawn Zulueta, 52, stuns in her back-baring swimsuit
- Dawn Zulueta flaunts her flourishing silver hair