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Winwyn Marquez is the first titleholder from Asia
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Reina Hispanoamericana beauty pageant celebrates the Hispanic heritage and culture
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Marquez is the daughter of screen veterans Joey Marquez and Alma Moreno, and the niece of former Miss International Melanie Marquez.
Teresita Ssen ‘Winwyn’ Marquez bested 26 other beauties and won this year’s Reina Hispanoamericana crown on Saturday, November 4 in Sta. Cruz, Bolivia (Sunday morning in Manila). Marquez is the very first Filipina to compete and win in the said beauty pageant.
She succeeded Maria Camila Soleibe from Colombia.
During the pageant’s question-and-answer portion, Marquez was asked how she would promote the Hispanic-American culture with the great difficulty or barrier of language.
Marquez answered: “Language can be learned but the will and determination to contribute to the organization cannot. It has to come from the heart. It has to be natural. I believe that kindness is a universal language that if you treat people with tolerance, patience and love, you will understand each other.”
“The Hispanic culture is not about language only. It’s about love for God, love for country, love for history and culture and love for family. As a Filipina with a unique heritage, I have instilled that. I am ready to promote the Hispanic culture not just in Asia but in the whole world. It is time to celebrate the Hispanic culture. It is meant to be celebrated,” she added.
During preliminaries, Marquez faced criticism for not speaking Spanish but she has won the Miss Ipanema Aaward. She also landed on the top three of the Best in National Costume. Her Pintados-inspired tribal costume was designed by Edwin Uy. Winwyn was also first runner-up as Miss Personality and was a finalist as Miss Smile and Miss Silhouette. Likewise, she was at the top five of the Sports Challenge.
Founded in 1991 as Reina Sudamericana (South American Queen), Reina Hispanoamericana (Hispanic American Queen) is an annual beauty contest that aims to celebrate Hispanic culture, heritage and language.
Based in Bolivia and organized by Promociones Gloria, the pageant was initially restricted to 10 nations in South America. In 2004, Panama and Costa Rica from Central America were invited. In 2006, contestants from Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Spain, and Puerto Rico joined, followed by Guatemala, Mexico, United States, and Honduras in 2007; and Curacao and Haiti in 2008.
In 2017, Canada and the Philippines joined for the first time.
