IN LESS than 24 hours, the Philippines’ representatives to two international beauty pageants brought home their respective titles, setting expectations high for the rest of the beauty queens who are yet to compete this pageant season.
Actress Teresita Ssen “Winwyn” Marquez won the Reina Hispanoamericana 2017 title on Saturday evening (Saturday morning in the Philippines) during the pageant held at Santa Cruz de la Sierra in Bolivia.
Meanwhile, Karen Ibasco gave the Philippines its fourth Miss Earth crown as she bested 84 other candidates last Saturday evening, November 4 at the Mall of Asia Arena (MOA) in Pasay City.
Marquez’s composed demeanor and well thought-out answer during the final Q&A sealed her win, right after she stunned the audience during the evening gown competition. She wore a glittering green gown by internationally renowned Filipino designer Ezra Santos.
Her final question was: “How would you promote Hispanic-American culture with the great difficulty or barrier of language?”
Calmly pausing in between sentences to give her interpreter time to translate what she had just said in English, Marquez answered:
“Language can be learned, but the will and determination to contribute something to the organization cannot. It has to come from the heart and 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. Hispanic culture is not about language only. It is about love for God, love for country, love for history, and culture, and love for family. As a Filipina with a unique heritage, 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.”
Marquez, an early favorite, won over 26 other candidates.
The crown was passed on to her by Reina Hispanoamericana 2016 Maria Camila Soleibe of Colombia.
After she won, Marquez greeted her supporters via the Reina Hispanoamericana Facebook page.
“Ola! Hello everyone! I’m your new Reina Hispanoamericana! I’m very happy and I promise I will make the Hispanic culture alive. I will learn Spanish. It’s time to bring back where I come from. This is my roots and I’m very proud. I love you Filipinas, Mabuhay! Te amo, Bolivia,” she said.
The Kapuso actress is the first Filipina and first Asian to join the pageant. She is under Aces and Queens, the same camp who trained Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach.
Marquez, who is currently in a relationship with fellow GMA 7 talent Mark Herras, is the daughter of veteran actors Alma Moreno and Joey Marquez.
Herras, on his Instagram account, greeted Marquez and posted:
“OMG!!! Salamat Lord! Ga!! Wala ako masabi!! Congrats pangggaa!!! Ikaw na talaga!! I love you!! Wow ga wow!! We are so proud of you!!!”
Other winners in the pageant are Akisha Albert of Curacao (Virreina Hispanoamericana), Lais Berte of Brazil (first runner-up) and Ma. Victoria Ambrosio of Venezuela (2nd runner-up).
MISS EARTH 2017
Karen Ibasco, the new Miss Earth, cited the problem of ignorance and apathy as well as promoting changing ways, recalibrating minds, and redirecting steps during the final Q&A for the pageant.
She is the fourth Filipina to win the Miss Earth crown, standing out among the 84 other candidates last Saturday evening, November 4 at the Mall of Asia Arena (MOA) in Pasay City.
During the final question and answer, all top four finalists were asked the same question:
“Who or what do you think is the biggest enemy of Mother Earth and why?”
Ibasco answered, “I believe that the real problem is not climate change. The real problem is us, because of our ignorance and apathy. What we have to do is to start changing our ways, to start recalibrating our minds and redirecting our steps. Because together as a global community our micro efforts will have a macro effect to help save our home, our planet.”
Completing Ibasco’s court are Juliana Franco of Colombia (Miss Earth-Water), Lada Akimova of Russia (Miss Earth-Fire) and Nina Robertson of Australia (Miss Earth-Air).
Ibasco is a 26-year-old medical physicist who finished her degree at the University of Santo Tomas. She is currently with the Kagandahang Flores (KF) camp.
KF’s official Instagram page greeted Ibasco, “4th Miss Earth crown for the Philippines and KF! Truly well-deserved! For crown, for country!”
To recall, Cebuana beauty queen Karla Henry brought home the first Miss Earth title for the Philippines in 2008. Jamie Herrell, another Cebuana beauty queen, won the same title in 2014. Angelia Ong gave the country a back-to-back win in 2015.
