Winwyn Marquez gets early birthday, Mother’s Day gift with MUPH 2025 finish

Miss Universe Philippines 2025 first runner-up Winwyn Marquez. Image: Facebook/Miss Universe Philippines

Actress Teresita Ssen “Winwyn” Marquez considers her first runner-up finish in the 2025 Miss Universe Philippines pageant as an early birthday present and advance Mother’s Day gift.

She will turn 33 on Sunday, May 4, just two days after the coronation show held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Friday evening, May 2. Mother’s Day is on May 11.

Speaking with members of the media after the program, Marquez said nothing has been planned yet for the two occasions, and she is hoping to catch up on rest, sleep, and quality time with her loved ones.

“I spent so much time here. I sacrificed my time with my family. And I think this time [I have to] give back [to them],” she said in a mix of English and Filipino.

“I’ve done my job. I lived the dream already. And sana na-inspire ko iyong maraming tao na gawin nila iyong gusto nilang gawin (I hope I inspired many to reach for their dreams) without any regrets,” Marquez cotinued.

She went into the competition as one of the frontrunners, having been crowned as the first-ever Asian winner of the Reina Hispanoamericana title in Bolivia in 2017.

Marquez nearly captured another national title eight years since giving honor to the country by advancing to the final round of the competition. The Miss Universe Philippines title eventually went to Ahtisa Manalo, another pageant veteran and heavy favorite like she is.

“I’m super happy, because just by merely joining Miss Universe Philippines, I’m already a winner. And who would have thought, now, a mother is first runner-up [at] Miss Universe Philippines. That’s a good feat already,” she said.

Marquez said her family watched her perform on stage, including her 3-year-old daughter Luna who stayed up late and was still awake, standing beside her mother during the post-coronation interview.

She added: “I’m just super happy na na-meet ko lahat ng girls, kasi tawag nila sa akin ‘Ate.’ Lahat nagkaroon ako ng relationship with. So winner na talaga ako.”

(I’m just super happy I was able to meet all the girls. Because they call me ‘Sis.’ I built a relationship with all of them. So I’m really a winner.)

And as for the new queen, she has nothing but good words. Her genuine delight with the proclamation of the new queen was captured on camera. “I’m so happy for Ahtisa, deserving, very, very deserving,” Marquez said.