Miss Universe 1999 first runner-up Miriam Quiambao encouraged the employees and students of MMSU to find purpose in life with God to become more empowered.

Addressing the MMSU community at the university’s Teatro Ilocandia last March 14 as part of the celebration of Women’s Month, Quiambao shared her life story as victim of a domestic violence who had gone through a failed marriage but rose up and "found purpose in life with God”.

The activity, which had a theme, “A woman empowered by God,” served as a forum to strengthen the consciousness of the personnel and students on issues and concerns on gender and development. 

Basing her speech from the Bible, Quiambao said that Jesus empowered women during His time by calling some of them to serve Him, especially those who were rejected by men.

“Jesus really empowered women during those times, and I believe that He should become our example in terms of how women should be treated,” she said, adding that “women should look unto Jesus if they become weak and feel rejected.”

For her part, MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis said that men and women employees, and students share equal opportunities in the University.

“There could be no real empowerment if women don’t have free and informed choices, as well as proper opportunities to fulfill their dreams,” she said, stressing that this is one of the MMSU’s initiatives in fulfilling a safe and energized place for men and women, including the members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community.

Situation in the MMSU system shows there are a balanced number of students in some degree courses that are supposed to be dominated by either men or women. Among them are those taking up Bachelor of Laws, BS in Medicine, Agriculture, Forestry, Engineering, Marine Biology, Fisheries, those taking up degrees in health sciences, and in teacher education.

In the University, men and women have the equal opportunity in leading MMSU as shown by an almost equal number of university officials who have top-to-middle level functions such as deans, directors, and chiefs of offices that composed of 51 males and 46 females.

Also, the committees on the university curriculum, scholarship, grievance, and decorum and investigation have memberships of 11 males and 9 females.