Dia Mate’s Reina Hispanoamericana win earns praise from Winwyn Marquez, JK Labajo
(From left) Dia Mate, Juan Karlos Labajo, and Winwyn Marquez. Images: Instagram/@juankarlos, Gerry Diaz of Aces and Queens
Dia Mate’s Reina Hispanoamericana 2025 win brought pride to Filipinos, and especially to former titleholder Teresita Ssen “Winwyn” Marquez, and her boyfriend, singer-actor Juan Karlos Labajo, who both celebrated her victory on social media.
The Caviteña beauty is the second Filipina to win the coveted title, after Marquez in 2017, at the global tilt’s coronation night in Bolivia on Sunday, February 9 (morning of February 10 in the Philippines). She bested 24 other candidates in the Latin-dominated pageant to bring home the crown.
Marquez was ecstatic following Mate’s win, as seen on her heartfelt messages on her Instagram Stories, saying she already knew that the Cavite-based beauty queen will win from the beginning.
“OMG! I’m so happy! Congrats Reina @diaxmate,” she wrote. “I knew it. Unang usap pa lang namin, alam ko mananalo siya (The first time we talked, I knew she would win).”
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@teresitassen
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@teresitassen
She also shared screen captures of Mate’s coronation in a separate post.
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Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@teresitassen
Meanwhile, Labajo reshared his girlfriend’s evening gown photo on his Instagram Story to show his support.
Article continues after this advertisement“Congratulations, baby!” he captioned his Story.
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@juankarlos
The “Ere” singer also recalled how Mate braved many challenges and “endured countless sleepless nights” before snagging the Reina Hispanoamericana 2025 crown. “You deserve all the good things life has to offer because you never gave up! You’ve faced so many challenges, endured countless sleepless nights, and dedicated endless hours to your training—all with unwavering determination.”
“You’ve carried our flag with such grace and elegance,” he continued. “And we are all so proud to have you represent our country on the international stage, inspiring the younger generation and being the voice for all the causes you stand up for. This is just the beginning!”
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Labajo has long been supportive of Mate’s pageant journey, and was spotted in the audience of the Miss World Philippines 2025 national tilt, among other efforts.
“I have seen how you’ve gone through all the challenges and difficulties of the pageantry world with grace and elegance and I couldn’t be any prouder. You have been my queen since day one,” Labajo told Mate in a social media post in July 2024, moments after she was named as the country’s representative to the global tilt.
Mate has been one of the standouts in the Latina-dominated pageant as soon as she arrived in Bolivia. Among her highlights include her Best in National Costume win, having a solo performance during the opening ceremony, and charming the panel with her wit during the closed-door interview, among others.
Aside from pageantry, Mate is a singer-songwriter who has released the songs “Ganda Gandahan,” “Ikaw ang Pinili Ko,” and “Ocean of Emotion,” to name a few.
