AZ Martinez reflects on PBB journey after Big Four finish

GMA Network

07-07-2025

AZ Martinez has nothing but love and gratitude as she ended her journey in the "Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition."
On Instagram, the former PBB housemate shared some snaps of herself with her final duo River Joseph, taken from the Big Night alongside a heartfelt reflection on her four-month journey in the house.
"Laging aahon, malakas man ang alon," she began and included the hashtag AZVer, the name of her duo with River.
Looking back on her audition, AZ shared that she had "no expectations" and never thought she would make it as a housemate.
"Isa lang 'tong pangarap na akala ko hanggang imagination lang. Until one day, it was official," she said.
According to AZ, her four months inside Bahay ni Kuya was "full of lessons, breakdowns, breakthroughs, tears, and growth." Though her journey was far from perfect, she said she wouldn't trade the experience for anything.
"Known as the 'strong one' in my family, for the first time I allowed myself to be soft, to be weak, to be vulnerable, to be human. And that changed me," she added.
The Kapuso star also shared that she poured so much of herself into the experience and discovered parts of herself she had long ignored. Thanks to Kuya, the housemates, and the challenges, she emerged a different kind of strong.
"They didn't just see me, they stood by me, believed in me, and helped me believe in myself again," AZ said.
As she and River took the stage on the big night, AZ said that hearing their names called "didn't feel real."
"That moment alone already felt like the biggest win. And the second I stepped outside, nakita ko kayo. The banners, the LED signs, the cheers… May bus. May billboard. May truck. Sabi ko, 'Grabe... dati pangarap ko lang 'to.' I was frozen, overwhelmed, and filled with gratitude," she wrote.
"Hindi ko alam kung anong uunahin, umiyak, ngumiti, or tumitig lang sa lahat ng pagmamahal na bumungad sa akin," AZ added.
Ending her post, the Sparkle actress thanked their beloved fans and their newfound family who showed up, believed in them, and made the impossible feel possible for her and River.
"I fought inside the house, but seeing how you fought for us out here, grabe. Kayo ang dahilan kung bakit umabot kami sa dulo. Kayo ang dahilan kung bakit natupad 'yung mga pangarap namin ni River," she said.
As she returns to the outside world, AZ said she's walking away with faith, family, and the courage to keep dreaming out loud.
"Mahal na mahal ko kayo. Maraming salamat sa tiwala," she ended.
Meanwhile, her fellow PBB housemate Ralph De Leon, with whom she formed a great bond, left some positive words, saying "Couldn't be more proud."
During the show's Big Night, AZ and River finished as the fourth big placer duo while Brent Manalo and Mika Salamanca (BreKa) were named as the big winner.
—Jade Veronique Yap/MGP, GMA Integrated News