Why AZ Martinez is dubbed as PBB Collab’s ‘Miss Sunuring Daughter ng Cebu’

CEBU, Philippines — As a mother, Bing Martinez has mixed emotions about her daughter AZ Martinez being one of eight Kapuso housemates of ABS-CBN Studios and GMA Network’s “Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition.” For starters, they won’t be able to communicate while she’s inside the house.

“I was surprised, proud, but also a bit scared,” Bing told The FREEMAN in a Messenger chat interview. “It’s the first time we’ll be apart for three months without any communication, which is a huge adjustment for both of us. She’s my baby girl, and like any mother, I worry.”

“At the same time, I know how much she’s worked for this moment, so I focus on supporting and encouraging her to make the most out of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

At the March 9 season premiere when the reality show made its Kapuso debut, AZ was the second housemate revealed following Ashley Ortega. They then met with their fellow Sparkle GMA Artist Center talents Will Ashley, Charlie Fleming, Dustin Yu, Josh Ford, and Mika Salamanca at GMA Network Center before heading to the iconic house. Michael Sager later joined as the eighth Kapuso housemate.

Before AZ joined showbiz, she was a beauty queen, competing in tilts like Miss Milo Olympics, and later on winning Miss Summit International 2023 in Florida, USA. With her pageant background, Bisdak pride, and vibrant personality, she’s been dubbed as this edition’s Ang Miss Sunuring Daughter ng Cebu.

“She was raised in a humble, God-centered home, and we always emphasized the importance of kindness and hard work,” Bing said of AZ, who was born in Tacloban but raised in Cebu. “Her childhood in Cebu was comfortable as she was surrounded by a supportive family. Now that we’ve moved to Manila, we are adjusting and working hard to build a stable life here, but those values she grew up with remain.”

Cebuano fashion designer Roy Erwin Tizon, who created some of AZ’s outfits for Miss Summit International, described her as “caring, sweet, and sincere.”

“She is not plastic,” he said. “When you call her, if she has free time, she will respond no matter where she is. She was raised well by her mother.”

Tizon believes that her work ethic as a beauty queen will translate well into her stay at the PBB house, where tasks often require physical and mental endurance.

“She trains hard and will do her best. That’s why she always succeeds – because she won’t settle for less,” Tizon remarked.

Since signing with Sparkle in 2023, AZ has landed roles in “Lilet Matias: Attorney-at-Law,” “Forever Young,” and Christine in “The Missing Husband.” She has also appeared in “Mano Po Legacy: The Flower Sisters”, two anthology episodes of “Regal Studios Presents”, and “Luv Is: Love at First Read.”

“I feel incredibly proud watching AZ chase her dreams one step at a time. She’s always been hardworking, selfless, and motivated,” said Bing, as she recalled how AZ loved performing since childhood. “I would often catch her dancing and acting in front of the mirror, immersed in her own little world. She may not have had formal acting experience before joining Sparkle, but her natural charisma and passion for performing have always been there.”

Tizon added: “I met AZ when she was still young. She really wanted to be an actress and a beauty queen, but it was when she turned 18 that she truly came out of her shell. I am happy that AZ joined PBB because it’s a milestone on the road to stardom.”

After winning Miss Summit International, AZ dedicated herself to acting and hosting. But according to Bing, she hasn’t completely ruled out pageants.

Issues inside PBB house?

With cameras tracking AZ and fellow housemates 24/7 through live streams on iWantTFC and GMA’s website, Bing is understandably concerned about her daughter being constantly monitored by the public.

“I will always have my concerns, especially knowing that people will be watching her every move,” she said. “But I remind myself that AZ is strong and has always stayed true to who she is. I put my trust in her and in God, knowing that her good heart and genuine personality will shine through.”

AZ is in a two-year relationship with fellow Sparkle talent Larkin Castor. Just days before she entered the PBB house, Castor posted a TikTok dance clip with her, supposedly highlighting their love for each other.

But during the 24/7 livestreams, AZ shared with housemates that her relationship with Casator was “shaky” as she went into the house because he was initially unsupportive of her decision to join PBB. Castor later addressed the situation on TikTok, sharing screenshots of past conversations.

“At first, I didn’t want her to join PBB because of a few reasons that came from my unresolved trust issues from her mistakes. I was scared that she’d develop feelings for another guy inside the house especially that we won’t have any communication at all,” he said.

“Being in the same industry, I know that we should be able to understand each other better. However, after a number of fights, I realized that partners should always support each other, not pull each other down. They should always push one another closer to their dreams, not stop them from achieving [them]. I admit I had a fault with that. I put myself in her shoes and finally understood.”

Castor reiterated his support for AZ, sharing that they had one last conversation the day before the show’s debut.

“Before they took her phone, we made sure we could say goodbye and give each other assurance through calls and messages,” Castor said. “I’ve always been proud of her and the hard work she has put in to get where she is now. She is the most caring, loving, and beautiful woman. I always wish for her success.”

When asked about Castor’s statement, Bing responded, “I respect their relationship, but as a mom, it’s painful to see how Larkin’s statement led to unnecessary negativity toward AZ. She has always valued their relationship and even chose to withhold certain details out of respect. Those closest to us know the full story, and I trust that in time, the truth will come to light. At the end of the day, I hope Larkin chooses to support AZ and allows her to shine in this important moment of her career.”

Some livestream viewers also shared their opinions of AZ following misunderstandings with other housemates. In particular, some are not supportive of her pairing with Star Magic comedian and content creator Esnyr, fearing it might put him at risk of eviction despite his popularity with viewers.

“It’s heartbreaking, of course,” Bing said of the public sentiment. “I know AZ’s true intentions. She’s very opinionated, but also fair and reasonable. This experience will help her grow, mature, and become more resilient. Criticism is part of being in the public eye, but I hope people also recognize her sincerity and the goodness in her heart. I just hope the audience sees the real AZ: the kind, passionate, and determined young woman that her loved ones know and admire.”

If Bing and Tizon were to give AZ advice, they would stress the importance of authenticity and respect.

“She should be herself and respect other housemates,” said Tizon. “She should be careful because everybody is watching her.”

As for Bing, she said AZ should always “stay humble and true to herself. Most importantly, she should avoid taking sides when it could harm others. Integrity and kindness are more important than winning arguments.”

With many fan favorites among the housemates from Star Magic and Sparkle, Bing makes her case on why Cebuanos should support AZ.

“AZ has a genuine heart, she cares deeply for others and remains true to herself no matter the circumstances. She doesn’t put on a front; what you see is what you get,” she said.

“She’s kind, resilient, and hardworking, and she values the love and support of the people around her. She represents the strength, warmth, and determination of Cebuanos, and I hope everyone can rally behind her and support her journey.”

“PBB: Celebrity Collab Edition” airs nightly on GMA, 10 p.m. on weekdays and 6:15 p.m. on weekends. The show is also available for streaming on Kapamilya Online Live and Kapuso Stream. — (FREEMAN)