Winwyn only allowed to join pageants on one condition

It has always been Winwyn Marquez’s dream to win a crown for the Philippines, but before she could achieve this goal, she had to make a promise to her dad first:

That she will get a doctorate degree.

On Sunday’s episode of “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho,” Winwyn’s dad, Joey Marquez, revealed that he initially disapproved of his daughter’s dream.

“Actually, talagang hindi [ako pabor na sumali siya sa pageant,]” says Marquez. “Kapag nakikita mo na ‘yung pagod niya, hirap niya, determinasyon niya at oras niyang talagang ibinigay... tapos hindi niya makuha ‘yung goal niya, mas nasasaktan ang magulang e.”

But Winwyn was determined to join pageants so father and daughter had to strike a deal with each other. Marquez shares:

“Sabi ko, ang titulong gusto kong maibigay sayo, ‘yung titulo ng edukasyon, na kahit na habambuhay, kahit na pumanaw na tayo, nandiyan pa rin ang pangalang PhD, MBA. Nangako naman siya sa akin. Sabi niya, ‘Daddy, I promise I won’t disappoint you. I promise, win or lose, magpi-PhD ako.”

After a failed bid in Binibining Pilipinas 2015, Winwyn opted to return to school to work on her masteral degree in Educational Management while also continuing her career in showbiz.

The call of the crown, however, was too powerful that two years later, she tried her luck again in Miss World. This time, she won the first Reina Hispanoamericana-Filipinas crown and eventually the Reina Hispanoamericana title. Dad Joey couldn’t be any prouder.

“Ngayon na-realize ko totoo pala. If you put yourself to whatever you want to be, nothing [can stop you.] Nothing can stop Winwyn to achieve [her dreams].”

With a crown on her head finally, all that’s left for Winwyn now is to get that promised PhD. —