‘This is my last’: Winwyn Marquez bids pageants farewell 

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‘This was never just about the crown for me… I've always hoped to show that becoming a mom doesn't mean your dreams have to stop,’ says Winwyn Marquez, a mother to a 3-year-old, after her Miss Universe Philippines runner-up finish

MANILA, Philippines – She may not have won the coveted Miss Universe Philippines crown, but Teresita Ssen “Winwyn” Marquez still felt like a winner after the curtains went down for the 2025 edition of the national pageant.

The actress, Reina Hispanoamericana 2017 winner, and mother to a 3-year-old daughter managed a first runner-up finish at the culmination of the Miss Universe Philippines 2025 coronation at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on May 2, with fellow pageant veteran Ahtisa Manalo claiming the title.

Speaking to members of the media after the ceremonies, Marquez said she had considered her mere participation alone as already a win. “And who would have thought, now, a mother is first runner-up [at] Miss Universe Philippines? That’s a good feat already,” she said.

“And, you know, my family was watching. My daughter is here, still awake,” shared Marquez, whose previous pageant conquest prior to the Miss Universe Philippines was eight years ago, five years before she would become a mother.

The Miss Universe organization opened its doors to mothers and wives in 2022, a landmark decision after 70 years of only allowing single women, aged between 18 and 28, to compete in the prestigious pageant.

For Marquez, meeting her fellow contestants, who fondly called her “Ate” (big sister), and forming relationships with all of them was another win for her.

She also said she found Manalo to be “very, very deserving” of the Miss Universe Philippines title.

Pageant veterans fought for the crown in the last round of the competition.  Joining Manalo and Marquez in the final 6 were Miss Earth Air 2023 Yllana Marie Aduana, The Miss Globe 2022 semifinalist Chelsea Fernandez, Reina Hispanoamericana fifth runner-up Katrina Llegado, and physician Gabriella Mai Carballo.

Marquez, meanwhile, shut out any possible comeback, as she bid farewell to the pageant stage. “This is my last. So, I love you guys. This is my last, sure na iyon (I’m sure of it),” she said.

But she hopes her accomplishment on stage has inspired other mothers to take the same leap of faith as she had done. 

“Well, I’m first runner-up. So, malay natin baka iyong next na sumali maging Miss Universe Philippines, ‘di ba?” Marquez said. 

(Who knows, perhaps the next mother who will join will become Miss Universe Philippines, right?)

Three other mothers took part in the Miss Universe Philippines pageant this year. 

“They sacrificed their time to do this. And I think we should respect that. And kung my sasali na talagang magaling, at puwedeng maging Miss Universe Philippines, why not?” she continued.

 (If a really good one would join and become Miss Universe Philippines, why not?)

Marquez also penned a touching valedictory on her social media account to mark the end of her recent pageant journey. 

“This was never just about the crown for me… I’ve always hoped to show that becoming a mom doesn’t mean your dreams have to stop. It can be the beginning of something new, something even more meaningful,” she said.

“I took the crown of courage… of standing tall and speaking my truth, showing that you can be both devoted and driven… that you can live boldly, love deeply and chase your dreams no matter the season you’re in. That, for me, is already a victory.“

She said being first runner-up felt like a dream, and expressed her gratitude to everyone who believed in her, and supported her in her journey.

“I hope I made you proud. Pilipinas, maraming maraming salamat (thank you very much) and to the Universe… Thank you for making this happen,” Marquez said. – Rappler.com