Image: Instagram/@teresitassen
Actress and beauty queen Winwyn Marquez has finally completed her Basic Citizens Military Training at the Naval Reserve Center-National Capital Region amid the pandemic.
Marquez, who graduated top cadet and president of Batch Dakila, shared news of her milestone via Instagram yesterday, Nov. 22.
“Last February, I enlisted to become a Marine Reservist under the Philippine Naval Reserve Command [and] when COVID-19 hit us we were asked if we still wanted to continue with our training and I said YES,” she recalled.
“During these difficult times, attending this Reservist Training (which I religiously attended all classroom lectures, drills, and even joined the 3-day Field Training Exercise in Cavite as the culmination of our training course) has become one of my motivations to keep on moving forward and to continue to serve others despite the limitations and uncertainties,” Marquez added.
The actress’s post was accompanied by several photos showing her in uniform, giving fans glimpses of her in training.
Marquez noted that she is honored for being “one of the small number of women” to have joined the said course “as it matches with my passion to encourage and empower our Filipino women.”
“The training was no easy feat as I was expected to experience hardship just like everyone with no special treatment or privileges,” Marquez added.
She also emphasized that she was not seen as “Marquez the actress and beauty queen’ but as Cadet Marquez — a fellow Filipina and sister to my [batchmates].”
Marquez then expressed her gratitude to her batchmates, family and friends as she has “completed the course with realizations I never knew I would learn and also a new set of classmates-turned-family.”
The actress said that she is sharing her achievement with the public with hopes that “it can be a motivation [and] inspiration not only to Filipino women but to all Filipinos to not be afraid of their weaknesses and to pursue their passions in life.”
“Do know that I am not here to impress you, I am here to make an impact — WE are here to make an Impact,” Marquez stressed.
She then congratulated her fellow reservists and told them to “Always remember to put your heart, mind and soul even in the smallest acts. This is just the beginning of our journey towards our goal.”
Marquez is one of several celebrities serving the country as reservists, including JM De Guzman, Dingdong Dantes, Arci Muñoz and Rocco Nacino, among others. JB
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