Southville International School and Colleges High School class 2008 and Teaching Certificate Program class 2017 alumna, Teresita Ssen “Winwyn” Marquez, was crowned Reina Hispanoamericana in the recent Reina Hispanoamericana pageant in Bolivia.

Winwyn bested 26 other lovely candidates and won the Reina Hispanoamericana crown. Winwyn also won the Ipanema Girl, Miss Personality (first runner up), Traditional Costume (third place), and Best Smile (finalist) and Miss Silhouette (finalist).

During the pageant’s question-and-answer portion, Winwyn was asked how she would promote the Hispanic-American culture despite the language barrier.

“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,” Winwyn answered.

A true Monarch, Winwyn continuous to advocate for Southville’s Save a Poor Urban Child (POUCH), 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. Southville holds a special day where each Southville student adopts a POUCH 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 Teaching 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.”