Her being a star is destiny manifesting into reality, Teresita Ssen Lacsamana Marquez is a true showbiz royal. Her mother, the legendary Alma Moreno, embraced the Third Force during the height of the Nora Aunor-Vilma Santos movie queen rivalry that spanned for so many decades. Her daddy dearest is basketball player, comedian, former public servant, and now seasoned actor Joey Marquez.
This Kapuso star had her lioness’s share of antagonistic characters in the many primetime and afternoon show offerings in GMA 7.
Her aunt is the one and only Melanie Marquez, an original Filipina supermodel with the title of first runner-up from the legendary Ford Modelling Agency contest, and 1979 Miss International titleholder. Thus, it is no longer a puzzlement when WinWyn Marquez became the first Filipina to become victorious in the 2017 Reina Hispanicoamericana beauty pageant. We all know that title and pop culture history made, is just the beginning of more winning moments for this beautiful maiden.
Marquez’s latest triumph as best actress in this year’s International Film Festival Manhattan (IFFM).
Clad in an all-black smart casual ensemble, the blooming Marquez shares that everything still feels surreal to her.
“Up to now, there are times when I want to pinch myself and wonder if totoo ba talaga ito? I cannot believe it. The adrenaline high is still in my system. Being super happy about it I must say is an understatement.”
“I was putting my daughter to sleep when they messaged me about it,” Marquez recollects about how she found out about the victory. “I don’t want to believe it at first, baka kasi prank siya. And I needed to contain how I was feeling kasi nga ayokong magising ang baby ko. It only became real to me when I received the message that was requesting for a speech. That message hit me hard in a great way. Hindi ko alam kung sisigaw ako, iiyak. Ang saya-saya talaga.”
The film Nelia is Marquez’s first lead role where she portrayed the titular character of a nurse who uncovers the truth behind the suspicious demise of patients in the hospital she serves.
“Doing the movie was challenging to all of us because I believe that because of the coronavirus threat, but the staff, the production team, everyone made sure that we were all safe I’d also like to add that the trust and confidence of the producers and my director Lester Dimaranan, added more fuel to that passion I am telling you about. I love acting.
Giving heart and soul to the characters I portray is artistically and personally fulfilling for me. Giving Nelia her voice, feelings, and emotional truth, they are all rooted to my passion and commitment to my craft of being an actress,” Marquez explains.
Nelia is an A&Q Production Films’ first film offering that competed at the 2021 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). The film’s producer is Atty. Aldwin Alegre, co-producer and screenwriter Atty. Melanie Honey Quiño.
Motherhood becomes Marquez and enjoys every second of being a hand-on-mommy with Luna, her firstborn daughter. She quips: “Being a mother is tiring, fun and always exciting. There is always something new to learn. The moments I have with Luna, I will forever treasure. The breastfeeding, the burping after she feeds, the cooing, and smiling, the wonderful baby smell, everything and anything about her, I cherish.”
She was in her six month of pregnancy when she announced it during the Nelia grand press conference. Six months after, the international best actress win, and four months prior, she divulges: “I had the opportunity to work alongside award winning actors in the Ligalig with A-listers Allen Dizon, Snooky Serna, and our National Artist Ms. Nora Aunor.
Sobra akong na-star struck kay Ms. Nora. Ni hindi niya ipaparamdam sa iyo na siya ang nag-iisang superstar andlalong wala siyang kahit na anong yabang sa katawan even with her current stature as a Pambansang Alagad ng Sinig.”
Marquez points out with the sweetest smile on her lovely face: “My firstborn Luna is my God-given lucky charm.”
Nelia is now available to watch on AQ Prime Stream
