Overview

Teresita Ssen Lacsamana Marquez, widely recognized by her professional name Winwyn Marquez, is a Filipino actress and prominent beauty pageant titleholder based in Parañaque City within the National Capital Region (NCR). She achieved significant international recognition when she was crowned the first Filipino to win the Reina Hispanoamericana title. This historic victory occurred at the Reina Hispanoamericana 2017 pageant held in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, on November 4, 2017. Her win marked a milestone for Filipino representation in one of Latin America’s most prestigious beauty competitions, distinguishing her as a trailblazer in the realm of international pageantry.

Marquez’s journey to the crown was preceded by her success at the national level. She was crowned the first Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas title at Miss World Philippines 2017. This national designation served as the primary qualifier for her participation in the international event in Bolivia. The dual achievement of securing both the national and international titles in the same year highlights the consistency of her performance and the strategic importance of the Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas designation within the Miss World Philippines framework.

Beyond her pageant accomplishments, Marquez has established herself as an active actress in the Philippine entertainment industry. Her career spans both television and film, leveraging the visibility gained from her beauty queen status to secure various acting roles. Based in Parañaque City, she continues to be an active figure in the local and national spotlight, contributing to the cultural landscape of the National Capital Region. Her status as an active artist and titleholder underscores her enduring presence in Philippine popular culture.

What are the key milestones in Winwyn Marquez's pageant career?

Winwyn Marquez’s pageant career is defined by strategic participation in major national and international titles, culminating in significant crowns that established her as a prominent figure in Philippine beauty pageants. Her journey began with early exposure to the national stage before achieving her breakthrough success in the mid-2010s.

Early National Appearances

Marquez first competed on the national stage during the Binibining Pilipinas 2015 pageant. This early appearance served as a foundational experience, allowing her to gauge the competitive landscape of Philippine beauty queens prior to her subsequent campaigns. The 2015 contest marked her initial foray into high-profile national representation, setting the stage for her future endeavors.

Miss World Philippines and International Success

A pivotal moment in her career occurred during the Miss World Philippines 2017 pageant. During this competition, Marquez was crowned the first Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas title. This specific designation highlighted her suitability for the Spanish-speaking international circuit. Capitalizing on this national title, she traveled to Santa Cruz, Bolivia, to compete in the Reina Hispanoamericana 2017 pageant. On November 4, 2017, she secured the main Reina Hispanoamericana 2017 title, marking a significant international victory for the Philippines.

Recent Campaigns

Continuing her presence in the beauty industry, Marquez returned to the national stage for the Miss Universe Philippines 2025 pageant. This recent participation demonstrates her sustained activity and relevance in the competitive field of Philippine beauty pageants, bridging her earlier successes with new opportunities for national representation.

Year Pageant Result / Title Location
2015 Binibining Pilipinas Competitor Philippines
2017 Miss World Philippines Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas Philippines
2017 Reina Hispanoamericana Reina Hispanoamericana 2017 Santa Cruz, Bolivia
2025 Miss Universe Philippines Competitor Philippines

Why is the Reina Hispanoamericana 2017 title significant?

The significance of Winwyn Marquez’s coronation at Reina Hispanoamericana 2017 lies in the historical breakthrough it represented for Filipino representation in international beauty pageants. Held in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, on November 4, 2017, the event marked the first time a Filipino woman secured the main title of this prestigious competition. Marquez, whose full name is Teresita Ssen Lacsamana Marquez, achieved this milestone as the sole Asian candidate among the contenders, highlighting the expanding global reach of the pageant and the competitive strength of Philippine delegates in South American venues. This victory was not merely a national achievement but also a continental one, as she simultaneously held the title of Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas, a distinction she had earned earlier during the Miss World Philippines 2017 national preliminary.

Historical Context of the Win

The Reina Hispanoamericana pageant has traditionally been dominated by candidates from Latin American countries, given the event's focus on Hispanic heritage and culture. Marquez’s success in Santa Cruz challenged this regional dominance, demonstrating that Filipino beauty standards and pageant training could resonate deeply with international juries. As the first Filipino representative to claim the crown, she paved the way for future delegates from the archipelago, establishing a new benchmark for Filipino contenders in one of the world’s major beauty competitions. Her presence as the only Asian candidate added a unique dimension to the 2017 edition, drawing attention to the diversity within the field and the growing influence of Southeast Asian beauty queens on the global stage.

Awards and Recognition

Beyond the main title, Marquez’s performance in Santa Cruz was further distinguished by additional awards that underscored her versatility and appeal. She received the Miss Ipanema award, a notable accolade that recognizes specific aesthetic qualities often associated with the pageant’s judging criteria. These supplementary honors contributed to her overall score and solidified her position as a standout competitor. The combination of the main crown and the Miss Ipanema title reflected a comprehensive victory, validating the strategic preparation and performance of the Filipino delegation. This multi-award success in Bolivia remains a key reference point in the history of Philippine pageantry, illustrating the potential for Filipino queens to excel in diverse cultural contexts.

Acting Career and Television Appearances

Winwyn Marquez has established a significant presence in Philippine television, particularly within the primetime drama landscape. Her acting career is closely associated with major network productions, where she has secured recurring and supporting roles that have contributed to her public recognition beyond her pageant achievements.

Early Television Roles

Marquez began gaining visibility in the television industry around 2012. During this period, she appeared in the popular fantasy-drama series Valiente. The show, which aired on ABS-CBN, featured Alden Richards as the titular character. Marquez’s role in Valiente helped introduce her to a broader audience, allowing her to demonstrate her on-screen presence alongside established actors and the rising star Richards. This early exposure was crucial in transitioning her image from that of a beauty queen to a working actress.

Role in One True Love

Following her debut in Valiente, Marquez continued to build her portfolio with a notable role in the romantic fantasy series One True Love. This production also starred Alden Richards, marking another collaboration between the two. In One True Love, Marquez shared screen time with Michael De Mesa, adding depth to her early career credits. The series was well-received for its blend of romance and supernatural elements, providing Marquez with a platform to showcase her acting range in a high-profile setting. Her performance in these consecutive roles solidified her status as a reliable supporting actress in the network’s lineup.

These early projects laid the groundwork for Marquez’s continued activity in the entertainment industry. Her ability to secure roles in major productions like Valiente and One True Love demonstrated her versatility and appeal to casting directors. As an active figure in the Philippine media scene, Marquez has maintained her presence through consistent television appearances, leveraging her initial success to sustain her career in acting.

Personal Life and Retirement from Pageantry

Winwyn Marquez has maintained a relatively private personal life despite her high-profile career in beauty pageants and acting. Born Teresita Ssen Lacsamana Marquez, she hails from Parañaque City in the National Capital Region. Her family background has occasionally been highlighted in media profiles, noting her lineage and the support system that facilitated her entry into the competitive world of international pageantry.

A significant aspect of her personal life is her role as a mother. Marquez is the mother of a son, whose presence has influenced her decisions regarding her career trajectory. The balance between raising a child and maintaining the rigorous schedule required for beauty competitions has been a central theme in her public narrative. She has often spoken about the challenges of motherhood intersecting with the demands of the entertainment industry, highlighting the need for flexibility and strong familial support.

In 2025, Marquez participated in the Miss Universe Philippines competition. This event marked a notable chapter in her pageant journey, as she secured the position of first runner-up. This result, while impressive, prompted a reevaluation of her future in the beauty circuit. Following this competition, Marquez made the announcement that she was retiring from active pageantry. This decision was framed not merely as a step back, but as a strategic move to focus on other facets of her career and personal life.

Her retirement from pageantry does not signify a complete exit from the public eye. Instead, it allows her to diversify her portfolio, potentially focusing more on acting roles, brand endorsements, and family commitments. The transition from active contestant to veteran titleholder offers a different set of opportunities within the Philippine entertainment landscape. Marquez’s career serves as an example of how beauty queens can leverage their titles into sustained careers beyond the crown.

The announcement of her retirement was received with interest by fans and media outlets, who have followed her journey since her initial rise to fame. Her status as the first Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas remains a historic milestone, and her continued activity in the industry ensures that her influence persists even after stepping down from the main stage of pageants.

See also