For The Win

Teresita Ssen “Winwyn” Marquez

- Pat Calica

Soft and hushed yet full of conviction, it is enthralling to hear Teresita Ssen Marquez—known to many as Winwyn Marquez—introduce herself in Spanish. And so inside the makeup room of photographer Marlon Pecjo’s home studio where we interviewed her after the cover shoot, we jokingly (like silly children) asked her to speak some more.

While she wasn’t required to learn the language for her reign as Reina Hispanoamericana-Filipinas 2017, Teresita made it a point to at least learn the basics of conversing in Spanish.

Never one to do things half-heartedly, this display of passion over something un required leaves no wonder how Teresita became the first Filipina and first from Asia to win the Reina Hispanoamericana title.

This 25-year-old amazes with her morena beauty, willowy figure, genial personality, undeniable smarts, and natural charm. But more importantly, in every endeavor that she takes on and in every dream she wants to accomplish, Teresita Ssen is always in it to win it.

REINA TERESITA

The road to becoming Reina Hispanoamericana 2017 wasn’t a quick and easy one for Teresita. She lost in her early tries at local beauty pageants, but it was the experience she needed in order to learn. From the time she lost, Teresita trained more, returned to school, and improved on a lot of things—like her walk, makeup and styling, and answering questions, among others—in order to come back stronger. And what a strong comeback indeed!

Congratulations on your win! How was your experience in the competition?