Teresita Ssen “Winwyn” Marquez, three-time grand slam volleyball champion (2006-2008, ISAC) and Southville International School and Colleges High School alumna of class 2008 and Teaching Certificate Program 2017 was crowned Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas, in the recent Miss World 2017 pageant. 

“The moment was so surreal. I can’t believe that I finally have a crown on my head and that I’ll be representing the Philippines in an international pageant. The first ever Filipina to compete in Reina Hispanoamericana. Thank you to all who believed and supported me! The competition will be tough, but I know I can make it through for you,” said Winwyn in her Instagram post after her coronation. 

Winwyn bested 33 other lovely candidates and won the historic title, Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas. Winwyn also won Miss Talent, Miss Beach Beauty and Miss Savoy Hotel Boracay. 

A true Monarch, Winwyn continuous to advocate for Southville’s Save a Poor Urban Child (Po.U.Ch.), an outreach program that addresses the daily nutritional and schooling needs of poor but deserving school children. The program provides beneficiaries with tuition subsidy, medical and dental assistance, school supplies and feeding program. The kids are treated to gift giving during Christmas. SISC holds a special day where each SISC student adopts a Po.U.Ch. for a day and interacts with the beneficiary. 

“I was a student of Southville practically all my life from preschool, grade school, highschool and also in my Teacher Certificate Program. They always remind us not to be apathetic and not to be selfish. We should learn how to share and help as much as we can. The PoUCh program is something special and Im grateful that it exists. Their mission is my mission as well, that no child should be left behind.” 

One of the favorites to win a crown during the Miss World 2017 pageant, Winwyn is the first Filipina (and Asian) to compete in the Reina Hispanoamericana set on November in Bolivia.