Three distinguished “living archives” of MMSU who worked with former President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos, Sr. shared their insights at the President FEM Lecture Series 2025 held yesterday, September 12, at Teatro Ilocandia, in honor of the university’s founder.

Retired University Architect Bienvenido Magno delivered a lecture titled “FEM and MMSU’s Architecture”, where he discussed the unique design features of several university structures, including the administration building (FEM Hall), University Library, Teatro Ilocandia, CETC, CAS, COE, and CAFSD. He explained that many of these buildings were constructed using adobe blocks made from crushed seashore rocks and shells sourced from Currimao, giving the campus a distinct architectural character. 

Magno shared that the overall campus layout was largely modeled after the University of the Philippines Diliman, his alma mater. He also noted that the buildings were designed to appear both grand and aesthetically pleasing, as requested by First Lady Imelda Marcos. He added that President FEM, Sr. envisioned MMSU as a state university that would make college education accessible to children from marginalized communities in the north.

Former Ilocos Norte Provincial Agriculturist Norma Lagmay delivered a lecture on “FEM’s Agricultural Legacy in Ilocos Norte”, where she emphasized FEM’s strong focus on food security and rural development. She recalled that during her time in office, Ilocos Norte was among the country’s top rice-producing provinces, with rice production seen as a national priority. Lagmay cited initiatives such as the Green Revolution, Masagana 99, irrigation support systems, and the strengthening of agricultural extension services, all of which helped improve the lives of Filipino farmers. She also mentioned programs like Food Terminal Inc., and KADIWA rolling stores, which aimed to improve food distribution and market access. She noted that many infrastructure projects built during that time, such as dams and bridges, were made to last and continue to serve communities today.

As one of MMSU’s first graduates, Lagmay expressed pride in her alma mater and its role in shaping future leaders. She encouraged the university and the youth to take a more active part in developing the agricultural sector, stressing that with proper support, innovation, and commitment, the country has the potential to achieve lasting growth in agriculture.

Finally, Dr. Santiago Obien, MMSU’s second president and founding executive director of PhilRice, lectured on “Transformation of Agriculture and the Academe during the FEM Presidency.” He outlined FEM’s efforts during the early years of agri-modernization, including the establishment of basic institutions for agricultural growth, expansion of state universities and colleges (SUCs), and the strengthening of research councils, all of which are innovations that continue to shape agriculture and education today.

He shared his personal encounters with President FEM, Sr. that shaped what MMSU is today. Among these was receiving a  ₱25-million cheque to establish the Philippine Tobacco Research and Training Center (PTRTC) through Presidential Decree 1248. Later, they met again during the groundbreaking ceremony of the PTRTC on campus, where President FEM appointed Dr. Obien as vice president of the Mariano Marcos Memorial College of Science and Technology (MMMCST), the precursor of MMSU.

MMSU President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr. said the lecture series is an occasion to reflect on how FEM’s vision continues to influence the university’s growth and direction.
“I've been inspired by the Marcos family, and today, we will again see the vision of Apo Lakay (FEM) for MMSU. He envisioned MMSU to be the ‘UP of the North.’ His dream was not merely to establish an institution, but to nurture a generation of Filipinos, particularly Ilocanos, guided by values-oriented education,”  Dr. Manzano said.

With this, he encouraged the students to learn from the speakers and internalize the university’s roots.

The lecture series concluded with an open forum, allowing students and faculty to engage the lecturers in a respectful exchange of insights.