PH rep fails to get back-to-back crowns in ReinaHispanoamericana pageant

FILE: “En route to Sta. Cruz, Bolivia for Reina Hispanoamericana 2018.” (Photo: @alyssamuhlach/Instagram)

It was not Reinahispanoamericana Filipina 2018 Alyssa Muhlach Alvarez that Reinahispanoamericana 2018 Teresita “Wynwyn” Marquez crowned to take over her position during the coronation night that was held in Salon Siriono Fexpocruz, Bolivia last Sunday, November 4.

Although the daughter of actress Almira Muhlach and former professional basketball player Bong Alvarez shared in her introduction video her Spanish background, she still failed to make it to connect to the Spanish communities and did not make it through the first cut that trimmed down the finalists to only ten.

However, the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) graduate was scene-stealing during the long-gown competition, where she wore a patriotic form-fitting marsala created by Benj Leguiab IV within a week. The design displayed an ode to the Philippine flag with its three stars and a sun, very similar to the royal blue gown embellished with the Philippine flag that Alyssa wore in the national pageant last October. 

In the words of Alyssa’s designer, “This is my gesture to make Filipinos proud through my artwork… We are passionate in doing everything for your country.” He added a message to Alyssa saying, “You never fail to represent us. I know this competition for both of us had a short time to prepare, but thank you Lord for making this possible.” At the end of the night, Wynwyn did not hesitate to post in honor of Alyssa’s participation as well – a photo of them both dashing in red was shared in her Instagram stories that captioned “So proud of you, Alyssa.”

At the end of the night, Wynwyn turned over her duties to Nariman Battikha who represented Venezuela. Those who joined her in the top ten included: Mexico, Brazil Bolivia, Paraguay, Chile, Cuba, Peru, Ecuador, and Europa Hispana.