Manila, Philippines - Maria Teresita "Winwyn" Márquez beauty queen who was crowned the first Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas title in the Miss World Philippines 2017 pageant and eventually won the Reina Hispanoamericana 2017 title in Santa Cruz, Bolivia on 4 November 2017.
Her parent’s actress-politician Alma Moreno and Comedian Joey Marquez.
She captivated the judges at the Reina Hispanoamerican 2017 pageant prompting them to award the title to her instead of the candidate from Curacao.
And Teresita (she wants to be known from hereon by her real name) is finally home, arriving on Nov. 13, after her very eventful three-week stay in Santa Cruz de la Sierra in Bolivia where she made pageant history as the very first Filipina and Asian to bag the Reina Hispanoamericana crown.
She was feted a warm welcome by Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas National Director Arnold Vegafria and her “sisters” from the Miss World Philippines 2017 court, – Miss Eco Philippines 2017 Cynthia Thomalla, Miss Multinational Philippines 2017 Sophia Senoron, and Miss World Philippines 2017 First Princess Glyssa Perez.
“I’m happy to be here wearing the crown. Para sa Pilipinas, para sa inyo po lahat ‘to,” she proudly declared.
She explains, “When I was in Bolivia, I think a lot of people were confused because they were looking me up on social media and couldn’t find me because of my nickname. Apparently, they identify me better as Teresita because of its Hispanic origin, so I’ll make it a point to use that name more often now.”
The morena model/actress also shared some of her more pressing obligations as reigning Reina Hispanoamericana 2017.
She reveals, “When the RHA organization talked to me, they really want me to inform and promote Hispanic culture in my country, and if possible to inform neighboring countries as well. They just want Hispanic culture to be more felt and alive. So, we’ll be thinking of projects that can help promote that, as well as charity works.”
As part of her RH itinerary, she will be flying back soon to Bolivia for some special appearances.
Looking back at her previous pageant bids, Winwyn sees the wisdom in learning her lesson in humility and patience while waiting for the rightful time to claim her spotlight.
She confesses, “I learned so much after I lost the first time I joined. I gained experience and I had time to improve on my weaknesses and actually know my strength. God had a purpose and I now understand why that happened. ETONLINE MANILA Elishah Pangilinan
