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THERE IS no place like one's alma mater.
This probably moved Armi Oliver-Farinas, 2006 Centennial Mrs. Hawaii-Filipina, to return to what she called the "torch toward her dream" and to attest to her fellow alumni and the students of MMSU that a graduate of this university can make a name in a place as competitive as "America".
True to the 29th foundation anniversary theme, "Academic supremacy for global recognition", the story of Farinas is one that mirrors the fate of so many other graduates, equipped with an MMSU diploma, who try their luck in the "land of the free" and come home accomplished, successful, remarkable.
Farinas, a native of Namalpalan, a laid-back barrio in Magsingal Ilocos Sur, was member of Class '86 of the university's business administration-accounting program which was then offered by the College of Education in Laoag City. She moved to Hawaii in 1989 after getting married to Nestor Caballes Farinas who was from Narvacan in the same province.
She pursued a master's in business administration at the Hawaii Pacific University after being rejected in her first job application because her degree "did not mean anything in Hawaii". She graduated with distinction while working full-time and building her own family.
She was recognized for being 2005 top producer for Meridian Properties having sold close to $20M in gross real estate sales. She currently works as full-time realtor associate for Meridian but is also into real estate investment, financial consultancy, and mortgage financing.
She said: "The teachings and the values embedded in my person [by my alma mater] helped me through the years. I am proud of my alma mater. I am proud to have been nurtured under world-class mentors. I have shouted to the world that an alumna of MMSU can have her place under the sun, globally competitive."
She told students to be proud of their school - MMSU - and challenged them to study hard, "push their luck", and accept challenges. "Come out as victors. The teachings of our alma mater will be your guiding torch to light your way," she asserted.
"Then come home [to your alma mater] once in a while and offer her your success. It is nice to be back to our roots," she added.
Farinas is very much active as member of the United Filipino Council of Hawaii which spearheaded the "scholarship" pageant where she won her crown. According to her, proceeds of the competition go to scholarship grants. "I love helping people and this pageant is one way of helping people achieve better education," she said.
She thanked the president and the rest of MMSU for the "warm" welcome the university extended to her. "It's more than what we expected. From the bottom of my heart, "Mahalo", she exclaimed.
The coronation night and ball was graced by Former First Lady Imelda R. Marcos. The Nasudi Cultural Group of the university provided entertainment.
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