Liza Marie Querimit, a senior from the Philippines majoring in business management with an emphasis in economics and finance, says that it took a pandemic, a mission, and a leap of faith to bring her from the busy streets of her country to the quiet, temple-adjacent campus of BYU–Hawaii, where she now places her goals, values, and testimony first.
A Change in Direction
Growing up a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Querimit had always known about the Church Education System (CES) schools. “I only know a couple who went to BYU–Hawaii, the wife being my seminary teacher, and a powerful influence in my life,” she said.
At first, BYU–Hawaii wasn’t her plan. “There are impressive, competitive, and more familiar universities in my city that would allow me to stay at home and be with my family. And to be fair, my life in the Philippines was very cool and fun,” she said.
Her direction shifted after her missionary service, first in the Japan Kobe Mission and then in the Philippines Bacolod Mission. “I grew a desire to be in holy places and to belong in a school community that will support and nurture me with the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” Querimit said. “It was an easy decision to go to BYU–Hawaii because I knew it would be a place where I could serve and become a better giver and disciple in the future.”
The biggest challenge came from COVID-19 travel restrictions. “Every move required COVID tests. The most critical part was that even though I complied with every requirement, if I failed the test before my flight to Hawaii, I wouldn’t be allowed to enter the United States,” she recalled. “Fortunately, I was spared and tested negative on my last and final test.”
Lessons from Strong Women
Raised “by strong-willed women rooted in faith,” Querimit credits her mother, Maricel, as her greatest role model. “One day you see her directing or training a big audience, and another day you would see her crying as she comforts someone in despair,” she said. “Whenever I soar my highest or shake in the pit of despair, I remind myself that I am a daughter of God and a daughter of my mother. That grounds me and empowers me to realize my potential.”
Querimit’s church service shaped her understanding of the divine nature of women. “I've been part of the Young Women organization for years, as a counselor in the presidency before my mission and the president after, and I witnessed how the self-reliance program inspired young women in the Philippines to take initiative and hope for their future,” she said. Her mission reinforced this conviction as she worked with “sisters in Zion” who broke through barriers to share the gospel despite personal challenges.
“I owe a lot of who I am to the women who inspire me,” Querimit said. “Daughters of God are all brave, divine, strong, tender, tough, flexible, smart, and delicate. I believe this world can benefit so much from men and women who work together and grow together, starting with equal opportunities where both can maximize their potential.”
“Celebrate and Cherish”
For Querimit, weekly temple attendance has been one of the most transformative aspects of her BYU–Hawaii experience, particularly in the Laie Hawaii Temple. “Serving as a temple ordinance worker and performing proxy ordinances is a privilege I did not have before,” she said. “This practice has grown into a routine that aligns me with my Savior and results in righteous character development.”
She also values the diversity of the campus community. “I have met people from all over the world. We often take this for granted, but it’s something we can personally celebrate and cherish. It’s helped me realize that we are more similar than we are different.”
Equipped to Make a Difference
Querimit’s Holokai—her customized combination of majors and minors—has shaped her vision for the future. In addition to her business management major, she has minors in political science, anthropology, and construction and facilities management.
“I have a passion for developmental economics through the lens of improving lives for women,” she said. “I believe that nations that fail their women fail. With proper equity for both men and women, economies have higher chances of improving.”
Her studies have given her the tools to contribute meaningfully. “Business can create opportunities for women to balance their careers with family responsibilities. Political science taught me about policies and global contexts, anthropology deepened my respect for cultures, and construction and facilities management showed me the importance of development for economies.”
Exemplifying Christ
Liza Marie Querimit’s time in BYU–Hawaii has strengthened her discipleship in multiple ways, especially as she prepares to graduate in the Winter 2026 Semester. “The university shaped me socially through working with people from different nations, and spiritually through devotionals and leaders who exemplify Christlike service,” she said.
“I am a better disciple because BYU–Hawaii gives me the opportunity to be educated and knowledgeable enough to reach out to others,” Querimit said. “Most of all, I am a better disciple because of the Savior who leads this school and touches me every day with His love and mercy.”