AZ Martinez says she'd pick River Joseph 'again and again' as her final duo

GMA Network

09-07-2025

AZ Martinez is full love and appreciation for her final duo on 'Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition,' River Joseph.
On 'Unang Hirit' on Wednesday, AZVer answered burning questions while recreating their Big Jump Challenge: balancing boxes between their bodies.
The hosts asked AZ: 'If ikaw ang nakakuha ng number 1 spot at ikaw ang unang pipili, sino ang pipiliin mong ka-duo?'
AZ answered, 'For me, lalong lalo na na-experience ko having River as my duo, I'd still pick him again and again and again.'
To recall, during the final duo formation, AZ was down to two choices: River and Esnyr. AZ picked River, describing him as a hero and a light among the housemates. River for his part happily accepted.
AZVer also discussed their 'pause and pray method,' which has earned them the nickname 'the prayerful duo.' AZ said that this is one of the reasons why they won the Big Jump Challenge.
'Naniniwala ako na surrender everything to God and He has plans for us,' the Kapuso actress said. 'If it's meant for us, it's for us. So dun talaga 'ko naniniwala. Always do everything through faith and by faith only.'
AZ added that when she and River pray, she says, 'Don't trust in what we know. Don't trust in our own understanding, but only through Him. Sa Kanya lang talaga and do everything by faith.'
River also said, 'Also in plans where you plan to give up, you're overthinking, you're anxious, I think prayer is the best thing to do.'
River said that when they felt like quitting the task, praying helped them win and reach the Big 4. 'It was a prayer, and that's all God,' he said.
AZ and River were named fourth big placers of 'Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition.' The pair of Brent Manalo and Mika Salamanca (BreKa) is the Big Winner duo.
Meanwhile, Will Ashley and his duo Ralph De Leon (RaWi) were named as the second big placers, while Charlie Fleming and Esnyr (ChaRes) were third. —Nika Roque/JCB, GMA Integrated News