Long before we understand skincare, fitness routines, or the language of self-care, our first lessons in beauty come from home. We watch our mothers (or female figures in our lives) how they carry themselves, how they care for their bodies, how they protect their peace and without realizing it, we begin to mirror their routines and rituals. Beauty, after all, isn’t learned from a product. It is inherited through presence, discipline, and example.
For many Filipinas, that early blueprint still shapes how they define aging, confidence, and wellness today. And in the case of Dawn Zulueta-Lagdameo, that legacy is now coming full circle, this time, with her daughter Ayisha by her side.
Nearly two decades ago, when I was a fresh graduate working for an advertising agency at GT Tower in Makati, Dawn Zulueta was a familiar sight. I would occasionally see her in the lobby or inside the elevator, always composed and glowing, in a way that didn’t demand attention but effortlessly drew it.
Back then, I later discovered, she was a regular at Marie France, the wellness and beauty center housed in the building. It made sense. Even then, Dawn embodied a kind of polished ease that suggested discipline behind the glow.
So it was a pleasant surprise late last year to learn that she had returned to the brand and this time not alone, but with her daughter. Some beauty relationships, I guess, don’t just last but they evolve just like Dawn and Marie France’s.
At the 40th anniversary celebration of Marie France held at Uma Nota in BGC late last year, Dawn appeared alongside Ayisha for their first mother-and-daughter endorsement together. These days, Dawn has stepped back from showbiz, choosing home life, travel, and motherhood. Her last film appearance was in Family History in 2019, and while projects have been offered, she admits she’s waiting for something that truly excites her.
“I’m very happy,” she shared. “I’ve been able to explore other interests. I have time with my kids, time to travel, and time to visit my son abroad. I like this phase.” It’s the contentment of someone who has redefined success as presence.
If there is one thing Dawn seems to be fully immersed in now, it’s shared experiences with her daughter. One unexpected bonding point? K-pop.
Ayisha was only six when she first fell in love with the genre. At the time, Dawn admits she didn’t quite understand the phenomenon. But as the music, performances, and choreography grew more popular, she found herself joining in—until she became a fan herself. Today, the two bond over BTS and Blackpink. “I enjoy K-pop because it brings me back to when I was a teenager,” Dawn said. “There’s so much energy. The music, the artistry, the choreography is incredible.”
For Ayisha, the admiration goes both ways. “I love spending time with my mom. She’s fun to be with. I can talk to her about anything. She’s a cool mom.”
Dawn laughed at the compliment. “I try to be cool.”
Growing up around film sets, Ayisha was exposed early to her mother’s work. While she found acting fascinating, her passion has taken a different direction: dance. A trained ballerina, she is currently focused on her studies while continuing to pursue the arts.
Dawn, who once prayed for a daughter who would share her love for movement, couldn’t be happier.
“I always hoped she would love to dance. Now she’s so much better than I ever was,” she said with a smile.
Despite the glamour that surrounds their world, Dawn describes herself as a strict mother, though she jokingly admits that when it comes to potential suitors, her husband Anton handles that department.
If Dawn’s appeal has a secret, it lies less in treatments and more in mindset.
“Aging gracefully is really about staying away from toxic people and unnecessary stress,” she shared. “I keep my private life private. Of course, we all know about eating well and drinking water. But the real beauty is internal. It’s what happens in your mind.”
Seeing Dawn return to Marie France after so many years feels symbolic. Some routines anchor us through different life stages, offering familiarity even as our priorities shift. But what makes this return meaningful is not the brand itself but the passing of that wellness mindset from mother to daughter.
Because in the end, the most lasting beauty ritual is the way a woman chooses to live.
