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Metro x Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition: AZ Martinez

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As far as expectations go, Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition’s “Miss Sunuring Daughter ng Cebu” AZ Martinez proved through her journey inside Kuya’s house that there’s more to her than meets the eye.The Hiyas ng Pilipinas Miss Elite Philippines 2022 and Miss Summit International 2023 beauty pageant titleholder and Kapuso actress may possess a pretty face, but it’s her grit, her fascinating ability to form chemistry with anyone, and her incredibly charming personality that launched a slew of PBB ships (AZRalph, AZVer, AZMilio, AZBrent, AZWill, KiZ, MikAZ, etc.) and a thousand TikTok edits in the outside world. Thankfully, she also found her core friends inside Kuya’s house and formed a genuine bond with the housemates who noticed and were drawn to her vibrant character. To some viewers, she’s “extra” in a good way, while others think she can be a tad too much. Therein lies the complex beauty of her story.From a writer’s POV, AZ has one of the most beautiful, notable, and cinematic character arcs in this PBB edition. The irony in the well-defined narrative of her journey is that it’s a reality show that did not fully depend on a script—it’s as if the story wrote itself.AZ auditioning for PBB was filled with hesitations. She did not think she had enough experience to be classified as a celebrity, and her past relationship wasn’t supportive of her PBB entry, too. Still, she took a leap of faith and made it her goal to join the reality show and fulfill her dreams.“I really wanted to join PBB ever since. Even back when I was in Cebu, because idol ko si Kim Chiu. I heard about the audition, and at that time, konti lang ‘yung expectations ko. I had no hopes, kasi I&#x27;m new to the industry. Hindi pa ako masyadong kilala, but I really wanted to join because it&#x27;s a different kind of experience. You have your own world there, and I&#x27;ve been watching past clips and past episodes. Grabe &#x27;yung samahan and, of course, the opportunities. Once you get in PBB, it&#x27;s all there na,” AZ Martinez beamed.<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1753992838560metro exclusive pbb celeb collab az martinez embed 1.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>AZ Martinez, as photographed by Dix Perez</div><div> </div>However, there were some aspects she had to adjust to, considering she shared a house with different people.“I have a personality na gusto ko, ako ‘yung laging nagli-lead at ako ‘yung laging nasusunod. So, inside the house, I had to compromise with everyone. Kailangan talaga na if there&#x27;s a leader, siya ‘yung leader. Communication is key,” she began.“Another was &#x27;yung pagligo—five minutes lang ‘yung pagligo! It was a very big adjustment that I had to make,” the candid AZ added.She started off her PBB journey with a desire to just be seen as something more because, in the outside world, she felt she was always underestimated and deemed shallow. But early on in her journey inside the house, she faced the biggest challenges beyond Kuya’s tasks: her inner battles.The pressure weighed heavily as she juggled PBB tasks—connecting with different housemates and forming duos, carrying the guilt over the clarity of her relationship, having moments of self-doubt and misunderstanding with some housemates, and being a people pleaser. All of those took an emotional toll on AZ.“I&#x27;m an overthinker. I think a lot to the point that it starts to eat me up. It wasn’t healthy for me anymore. I thought so much about the outside world. I thought so much about what people think about me. Even inside, ‘What do the housemates think of me?’ So, the first few weeks talaga—actually almost the whole season—you&#x27;d see me crying, overthinking, and asking for feedback. But I&#x27;m happy that I was able to overcome it. I&#x27;m happy that even though it was in the end, it was growth pa rin kasi I became happy, because I let it all go. I think that was also one of the reasons kung bakit nahanap ko ulit ‘yung strengths ko,” the young actress opened up.It may not have been obvious to AZ because of her self-doubt, but PBB viewers and the housemates saw her strengths. Fans and followers began rooting for her after her shaky start on the show, and her transformative journey unfolded like a “teleserye ng totoong buhay.“Her smart leadership was evident in the cursive writing, the sack punishment, and the cup “The AZ Method” stacking tasks. She and housemate Bianca de Vera also won an immunity task that exempted them from nomination. She also scored a Golden Seat, which gave her the chance to see her mom again for the PBB Carnival Show episode. In addition, she won the Intensity Challenge. And more importantly, she found enough strength to end a murky relationship in the outside world with clarity and finality.<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1754046268762metro exclusive pbb celeb collab az martinez embed 2.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>On AZ: Sleeveless dress by H&amp;M and suede skirt by 8seconds</div><div> </div>AZ may have been initially hurt by being voted as the least desirable Kapuso duo, but in Kuya’s confession room, she vowed to prove them wrong. With River Joseph as her final duo, with the ship name AZVer, they won the Charity Task for cancer patients and dedicated it to their fathers, who had already passed. In an intense Big Jump challenge, AZVer also triumphantly earned a spot in the Big 4 after an endurance test, which saw them standing under the sun and rain while holding blocks for hours. She considered the Big Jump challenge her most rewarding moment in the journey.AZ pensively shared the best lesson she learned from Kuya and staying in his iconic house.“I learned from Kuya to trust myself. I went inside the house, and even for most part of my stay, I had no trust in myself. Laging may self-doubt. I looked down on myself. May time na Kuya asked me, ‘AZ, wala ka bang tiwala sa sarili mo?’ Napaisip ako. Then he gave me some advice, that I should trust myself. Sobrang laking impact nu&#x27;n sa akin to the point na nag-shift agad &#x27;yung mindset ko na, ‘Oo nga!’ If people don&#x27;t believe in me, if people have no confidence in me, ako lang ‘yung makakaahon sa self ko. Kung wala silang tiwala sa akin, ang importante ako meron. I shouldn&#x27;t lose my identity just because I&#x27;m trying to please other people,” she meaningfully remarked.AZ was also brave enough to take accountability for the things said and done inside the house.“Sa loob ng Bahay, I&#x27;ve made a lot of mistakes. I wasn&#x27;t perfect inside the house. I&#x27;ve done many wrong things and I&#x27;ve admitted it. I took accountability, and I’ve apologized. I&#x27;m happy I was able to fix it inside the house before leaving—[for] example, ‘yung sa amin ni Mika [Salamanca]. I&#x27;ve seen a lot of bashing already. Honestly, medyo masakit to see those comments, but I know na hindi &#x27;yun totoo. I know there were times na nadala ako sa emotions and I&#x27;ve made those mistakes, but I believe naman na those mistakes don&#x27;t define me. Importante sa akin na I apologized and grew from it. I&#x27;m happy I learned from it also,” she concluded with humility and optimism.From a seemingly lovesick young woman, we saw AZ’s journey as someone who can lead and be laser-focused on tasks at hand. She turned things around and eventually became the 4th Big Placer, as one-half of the AZVer duo, during The Big Night. Her redemption story wrapped up very nicely as this PBB edition ended.To inspire excitement for their supporters, Metro.Style asked if she’s open to working with River Joseph on acting projects. To which AZ happily replied, “Yes. I&#x27;m very open. I really want to try working with River because I can see that he’s a really good actor.”AZ is currently seen on the primetime fantasy series Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre. Expect her to become more visible with upcoming endorsements and acting projects.<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1754002712994metro exclusive pbb celeb collab az martinez embed 2.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div style="text-align:left"> </div>Photography by Dix PerezMetro head: Christina LopezSittings editors: Geolette Esguerra, Kate Paras-Santiago, Randz Manucom, and Grace Libero-CruzCreative director: Chookie CruzStylist: Edlene Cabral, assisted by Bullet ReyesMakeup artist and hairstylist: Mickey See and Jonas LucasFashion associate: Carla BuyoEditorial assistants: Iya Baring and Krystel MatiasVideo producers: Giselle Interior and Tricia MatiasVideographer: Charisse Tinio&#x27;s NicePrint Photo teamArt director: Alfred AmadoShoot assistants: Danni Lagdameo, Mariana Xerez-Burgos, Sophia Ancheta, and Katrice CuasonSpecial thanks to Pinoy Big Brother, Marcus Vinuya, Patch Bungubung, Charina Fernandez, Pia Laurel, and Sparkle GMA Artist Center

AZ Martinez, the "Queen of Chemistry" in "Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition," looked back on her reality show journey.

AZ Martinez, the " Queen of Chemistry" in "Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition," looked back on her reality show journey.

Metro Exclusive: AZ Martinez Discovers the Beauty of Being Truly Seen, Thanks to 'Pinoy Big Brother'

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Metro Exclusive: AZ Martinez Discovers the Beauty of Being Truly Seen, Thanks to 'Pinoy Big Brother'

Grace Diez

Published August 01, 2025 08:25 PM PHT

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