Miriam Quiambao-Roberto, Stronger Than Ever

By Pauline Reitzer

Miriam Quiambao-Roberto with husband Ardy and their children Joshua, Elijah and Ziki 

For many Filipinos, Miriam Quiambao-Roberto will always be remembered on the Miss Universe stage in 1999, representing the Philippines with grace and confidence and finishing as first runner-up. It was a moment that propelled her into the national spotlight and opened doors to a successful career in television, hosting and public speaking.

But more than two decades later, the woman behind the crown says her most meaningful role isn't one that earned applause from an audience.

It's motherhood. “Of all the chapters of my life, motherhood surprised me the most. They are my flesh and blood. I never imagined how much I could sacrifice for my children,” Miriam reflects.

Today, life looks very different from her pageant years. Together with her husband, bestselling author and speaker Ardy Roberto, she manages several Airbnb properties, supports their ministry work and homeschools their two young sons.

“We only have a short window with our children,” she says. “Homeschooling allows us to spend more time together and be part of their growth every day.”

In 2022, the family moved to Boracay to help establish the local chapter of Christ’s Commission Fellowship (CCF). Together with their children, they devoted themselves to serving the growing Christian community on the island. Though they have since returned to Manila, they continue to travel regularly to Boracay to nurture the relationships and ministry they helped establish.

Years ago, success meant something entirely different. Like many ambitious young professionals, she pursued achievements, financial security, popularity and recognition. “I wanted to be at the top of the top, and I achieved that,” she recalls. Yet despite the fame and opportunities, something was missing.

Behind the glamour was a growing sense of emptiness. The breakdown of her first marriage sent her into one of the darkest periods of her life. The pain became so overwhelming that she struggled with depression and even contemplated ending her life.

Running became one of the first tools that helped her heal. The discipline of putting one foot in front of the other helped rebuild not only her physical strength but also her hope.

At the same time, she began searching for deeper meaning.

Despite returning to television and hosting a travel show, she still felt a deep sense of loneliness until a chance encounter with a friend led her back to her Christian faith. “It was the comfort of God that changed everything,” she says.

She realized that fame, ratings and public approval could disappear overnight, but her identity and faith could never be taken away from her. That realization shifted the course of her life.

Working with The 700 Club gave her a renewed sense of purpose. Through ministry, she rebuilt relationships, found direction, restored her reputation, and eventually met the man who would become her husband.

Today, when she speaks of success, it has nothing to do with fame or fortune. Success means faith, family, peace and a life lived with purpose. That same shift in perspective would later influence another important journey: her health.

Wake-Up Call

After the birth of her youngest child, Miriam found herself at her heaviest weight. Like many women, she tried various diets and repeatedly lost and regained weight. Then came a wake-up call: she discovered she was prediabetic.

Determined to make a change, she signed up for a 21-kilometer race in Boracay. A friend introduced her to a coaching and accountability program called Kaizen, and everything changed.

Over the next 100 days, Miriam committed herself fully to the process. She steadily lost weight, regained strength, and returned to her pre-pregnancy weight. 

Beyond the weight loss, she noticed improvements in her mood, energy, confidence and mental clarity. By prioritizing her own health, she discovered she was also setting an example for her children.

Miriam learned to make time for exercise without sacrificing family life. “I realized that filling my own cup helped me become a better mom.”

Perhaps the most meaningful realization came while running. “When I run and listen to worship music, that's when I feel most like myself. It's my time with God,” she says.

Fifty and Fearless

Turning 50 earlier this year became another milestone worth celebrating. To mark the occasion, she completed her first-ever marathon at The Bull Runner Dream Marathon in Alabang, something her younger self might never have imagined. And she's convinced that getting older isn't something to fear.

Today, she lifts weights not for immediate results but for the decades ahead. She wants strong bones at 60, independence at 80, and the ability to continue carrying her own groceries well into old age.

With longevity running in her family (her grandmother passed away just weeks before her 102nd birthday), Miriam hopes to enjoy many more years of travel, family, ministry and service.

Then she smiles. “The best is yet to come.”

Today, Miriam Quiambao is no longer chasing crowns or public approval. She is chasing something far more enduring: a life filled with faith, purpose, strength and the people she loves.

And in many ways, that may be her greatest achievement yet.