By RUEL J. MENDOZA
THANKFUL si Teresita Ssen Marquez o mas kilala bilang Winwyn Marquez dahil sa suporta na natatanggap niya sa pagsali niya sa Miss World Philippines 2017.
Unang-una siyang nagpasalamat sa kanyang ama, ang comedian na si Joey Marquez dahil isa ito sa nag-push sa kanya na sumali ulit sa isang beauty pageant.
“To be honest, I’m so happy. It’s just falling into place because my dad is super supportive.
“When I told him, he was happy. He said go, prove them that you can do it. Prove them that you can speak, prove them that you can shine… I explained to him that it’s not all about your physique, how you look like.
“It’s about voicing out something – ‘beauty with a purpose.’ And I think he realized that,” sey pa ni Wyn.
Pangalawa ay ang kanyang aunt na si Melanie Marquez who was crowned Miss International 1979. Nag-share si Wyn ng words of wisdom galing sa kanyang Tita Melanie.
“Tita Melanie would always say, ‘Join if you want to. If your heart is set to win, go and join.’
“Sasabihin niya kung ano ang nasa isip niya… ayaw naman niya manggaling sa kanya na huwag kang sumali, mag-join ka, or something.
“Kung ano ‘yung gusto mo, gawin mo. And she’s always going to be there to support me.”
Pangatlo ay ang kanyang boyfriend, ang Kapuso actor na si Mark Herras na isa sa nag-convince sa kanya na subukan ulit ang mag-compete sa beauty pageant.
“Kasi I was actually scared to join. I was scared of losing, scared of all things that would happen. But sabi niya, ‘If you’re not going to join and you’re going to regret it in the long run, ikaw din ang malulungkot.
“Wala naman daw mawawala sa akin kung matalo, manalo. Kung ginawa ko, wala akong regret,” diin niya.
Malaki na raw ang pinagbago ng pananaw ni Wyn sa pagsali sa beauty pageant. Noong 2015, sumali si Wyn sa Bb. Pilipinas at umabot lang siya sa Top 15. Ka-batch niya si Pia Wurtzbach who eventually won the Miss Universe title.
“I want to win. I think lahat ng girls na sumali, gustong manalo. Siyempre, that’s my aim: to win. Whatever God’s plan is, I’ll accept, but I’m here to win,” pagtapos pa ni Winwyn Marquez.
