She originally planned to become a Bb. Pilipinas Queen first. But who would have thought that fate would bring her halfway around the world to Bolivia in South America as Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas 2017 and eventually establish pageant history as the first Filipina (and first Asian) to win the crown of Reina Hispanoamericana 2017.
Teresita Ssen “Win-Wyn” Marquez grew up in the world of local showbusiness and politics. Her parents – actor/comedian/former City Mayor Joey Marquez and actress Alma Moreno – eventually rubbed off the excitement of being in front of the camera to this exotic beauty whose dancing prowess and love for acting were put to good use when she became a TV celebrity with GMA-7.
But the performer in Win-Wyn wanted more than just the klieg lights and endless hours on the set. So when she finally decided to go the pageant route, it was just a matter of time before she would win a national title.
Sta. Cruz, Bolivia was an entirely unique experience for our Reina. Along with brother Yeoj, she withstood the city’s tropical savanna climate where “surazos” or the cold winds from the Argentine pampas make the temperature drop considerably.
She aggressively continued with her mission and unleashed the fiery performer in her to outclass all the Latinas in her way to be crowned as the best last year.
Win-wyn is now classified as a movie actress as well. She has also become a leading lady of comedian Vhong Navarro in the movie “Unli Life” and has just finished another one where she plays the prime character opposite actor Enzo Pineda.
Tonight (or tomorrow morning in Manila), she will crown her Reina Hispanoamericana successor and will return to Manila soon after to face more showbiz commitments. I offer now a toast to the woman who has helped in making the pageant brand become more popular in this part of the world and elsewhere. You have already started building your legacy, although I know there will be more to the current purpose in life that you are planning for yourself to achieve. Politics in a few years or so, perhaps?
Salud, Teresita Ssen!
Is it just me or is Miss Filipinas Alyssa Muhlach Alvarez not creating enough impact to win over the judges in Sta. Cruz de la Sirrra, Bolivia for Reina Hispanoamericana 2018? You see, I have diligently followed the competition on social media and even the coverage of the official promotions arm of the Organizers – PGloria. Her inclusion in the events is a far cry from the way Teresita Ssen Marquez has been made part of almost everything from the minute she set foot in the host country. She missed the shortlist in the challenges unlike her predecessor who was part of all the segments.
When I found out that Reina Hispanoamericana 2017 Teresita Ssen Marquez was going to be one of the judges during last night’s Binibining Cebu 2018 Finals at the Waterfront Hotel Cebu City, I immediately pulled her aside to give a message to Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas 2018 Alyssa Muhlach Alvarez. You see, she missed the sendoff the other day due to a shooting schedule for her new film. 
This coming weekend, Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas 2018 Alyssa Muhlach Alvarez will be departing for Sta. Cruz, Bolivia via NYC to represent the Philippines in Reina Hispanoamericana 2018 where she will have the challenging task of going for a back-to-back win in the international tilt since the reigning titleholder is Teresita Ssen Marquez. She was in high spirits all throughout the sendoff hosted by National Director Arnold Vegafria and Miss World Philippines General Manager Bessie Besana at Annabel’s Restaurant.
Alyssa was joined in the sendoff by two of her “sisters” – Miss World Philippines 2018 Katarina Rodriguez and 1st Princess Chanel Morales.
Alyssa will be flying to Sta. Cruz, Bolivia by her lonesome, but remains undaunted by the long-haul flight segments because she will take those opportunities to get much-needed sleep. She has barely two weeks of preparation, after all.
When the new pictorial of Reina Hispanoamericana 2017 landed in my inbox (thanks to my dear friend Voltaire Tayag of Rappler), I immediately thought of using the popular phrase “…a rose by any other name…” from William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet as inspiration for this blog entry. This wonderful lady – who is always a joy to work with – decided to use Teresita as her public name right before, during and after her successful stint in Bolivia. But somehow, the showbiz affiliation is so strong that the popular nickname of “Win-Wyn” just could not be erased that easily from the minds of everyone.
This latest photoshoot was a special one because our Queen herself had a say in every shot taken. The overall atmosphere, though, was fun and relaxed that everyone in the studio enjoyed doing all the layouts and did not mind the time at all.
Just this weekend, your blogger flew to Tagbilaran, Bohol to judge the finals of Miss Bohol 2018 held at the Bohol Wisdom School Gymnasium. And aside from Ahtisa Manalo and Celeste Cortesi, our group included Reina Hispanoamericana 2017 Teresita Ssen Marquez who obliged us with an “ambush” interview during our countryside tour at Chocolate Hills in Carmen. She gamely told us what it will take to become the next Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas and what are the important things to remember to her potential successor come October.
