AZ MARTINEZ
In Sharp Focus
Once at a crossroads and ready to walk away from it all, the former PBB celebrity housemate opens up about finding her voice, overcoming the noise, and turning her life’s challenges into her greatest strengths.
Text by Maine AquinoPhotos by Clare CabudilArt Direction by Faye BalicasShot on location: Ascott Makati
AZ Martinez embodies a quiet strength shaped by life’s challenges. Beneath her calm and composed presence is a story marked by personal struggles and complicated family ties—experiences that didn’t break her, but instead refined who she is today.
With her sights set on establishing a solid and stable career in show business, AZ moves forward with clear determination and resilience. In an industry that demands both grit and staying power, she rises above not just as a hopeful but as a woman who has already proven she has the makings of a star.
In this Kapuso Profiles feature, AZ offers insights into her journey as a Sparkle artist, former Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) housemate, and a hardworking dreamer.
AZ, in her words, represents fun and playfulness, with strong family values that she honors and upholds daily.
“I would say si AZ sobrang makulit. Very outgoing, laging all around, very maingay. A lot of people know that kahit hindi niyo pa ako kausap. Maririnig ninyo ako from a mile away na sobrang ingay ng boses ko. I would also say na she's a very family-oriented person, sobrang close niya with her mom. Growing up sila lang kasing dalawa. Medyo may mga values siya na she's strict with. May pagkamaarte, for example, ayaw niya ng maduming spaces, mga ganoon. Maraming explanation when it comes to who AZ is.”
In various interviews, including her time on PBB, AZ has discussed how growing up in an unconventional family dynamic has influenced her adult life. Her parents' separation taught her and her brother resilience as they learned to navigate living separately from each other.
“Our family, medyo challenging growing up. It's been a rough path for us. Separated ang parents ko, there’s a lot of challenges between them na naapektuhan kaming buong pamilya,” she recalled. “Separated kami ng Kuya ko growing up. Siya nandito sa Manila; ako sa Cebu. Most of my life, nasanay ako being the front sa family. Ako ’yung tagapagtanggol sa Mom ko, ako ’yung nangaaway sa mga nangaaway sa Mom ko.”
Early on, AZ realized she was built differently. While her brother was the shy introvert who would instinctively run from trouble, AZ didn’t have problems facing challenges head on. She eventually learned that her being “maldita” was actually her greatest weapon against those who tried to disrespect her family.
“Masasabi ng Mom ko na maldita ako, kasi ako ’yung laging kapag may nakikita ako na hindi ko gusto ’yung ginagawa, ako ’yung unang gagano’n. ’Yung Kuya ko mabait kasi, may pagka-introvert siya, mahiyain, while siya ’yung unang tatakbo, ako ’yung unang paharap, magde-defend.”
From an early age, AZ was inspired by her mother’s remarkable resilience. She observed how her mother navigated life's obstacles with unwavering strength and determination. Through countless challenges, AZ learned not only to confront difficulties full-on but also to embrace the lessons of tenacity and courage that her mother exemplified.
“That's why I am like this ngayon. I would say na very strong personality, very matapang, fighter… I would say I also got from her ’yung pagiging matapang. Kasi, she's been through a lot. Our family has been through a lot… I would say the reason why I am like this now is because of everything I’ve been through before.”
When AZ stepped into the world of show business, the rhythm of her family life shifted once more. Where there were once challenges, there is now a steady source of support. Her mother and older brother stood firmly by her side, offering not just encouragement but a sense of structure and stability behind the scenes.
AZ revealed, “They're very supportive. As in lagi silang nandoon sa mga events ko… Even before PBB, si Mom ko parang naging stage mom. Lagi kong kasama sa mga taping at sa events. Siya ’yung nagko-coordinate sa lahat. She wants to make sure I always look my best. Ino-organize niya ’yung glam ko, kausap niya lagi handler ko, so as in very supportive sila lahat. They always take part, for example, magpo-post ako, engaged sila. They're very engaged in everything that I do, especially ngayon na everything is going well.”
Before stepping into the Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition, AZ found herself at a quiet crossroads. With the uncertainties of the industry and the weight of personal challenges, she openly admitted that she was on the verge of letting go of her showbiz aspirations.
But just as she was ready to turn her back, the opportunity to enter the PBB house came—offering not just a fresh start, but a chance to rediscover her purpose. In many ways, it became the turning point she didn’t know she needed, reigniting the drive that was once slipping away.
She said, “Before PBB, when nothing was happening with my career. I was given like guestings, a few work, pero hindi ganito ngayon. At that time, mahaba ang tengga ko. Lagi na lang akong nagwi-wait. I was thinking, stop na nga lang ako, mag-school na lang ako, mag-focus na lang ako sa school kaysa sa ma-divide yung attention ko. I wanted to stop na really kasi I saw na what if this is not for me. This career is not for me, baka hindi nga ako marunong umacting.”
AZ had lingering doubts and thoughts that made her question if at all her effort was leading somewhere, anywhere. There were times she felt as though she was pouring her energy into something that wasn’t moving forward, leaving her caught in a cycle of uncertainty.
"Lagi na lang akong nagwi-wait. I was thinking, stop na nga lang ako, mag-school na lang ako, mag-focus na lang ako sa school kaysa sa ma-divide yung attention ko. I wanted to stop na really kasi I saw na what if this is not for me. This career is not for me, baka hindi nga ako marunong umacting.”
AZ had garnered mixed reactions when she entered as a housemate. Reflecting on her journey inside the PBB walls, AZ recognized that she was misunderstood by both her fellow housemates and the viewers. But instead of feeling sad about it, AZ took it as a powerful catalyst for her personal evolution.
“Tama ako sa part na sinabi ko na mabilis akong ma-misinterpret at nangyari iyon. In the end, I was able to learn from my mistakes. I was able to grow from it. I would say iba ako pagkalabas ko sa pagkapasok ko sa PBB. So that's what I'm happy with.”
With her rise as a housemate, AZ has experienced both the highs and the harsher realities of being in the public eye. Through it all, her family remained quietly protective, doing what they could to shield her from the noise.
“After PBB, I was getting bashed kasi a lot. As in grabe ’yung bashing even inside. So narinig ko ang mga kuwento nila na nagpa-panic na raw sila habang nasa loob ako ng bahay. Nafu-frustrate na. Gusto na raw nila ako tanggalin sa PBB kasi sobrang lala ng bashing ko. Sila ’yung nasasaktan, parang sometimes sumasagot na raw sila.”
AZ continues to navigate her growing presence in the spotlight. After her return to the “outside world,” her family has noticed the huge change in her. “Nagulat sila kasi usually overthinker ako. Isang sabi mo lang, magsi-stick na ’yun sa akin for the longest time. After ng PBB, hindi ako masyadong naapektuhan. They were like, 'Okay, bakit ganito, kami ang naapektuhan?' They were scared for me, Kasi, I was getting death threats daw mga ganoon. May times na nagwo-worry sila, but everything's all good and supportive sila.”
As a former housemate and now a rising actress, AZ continues to meet challenges. But she now handles them with grace and calm. She is learning to navigate both her personal life and career with growing confidence and clarity.
"Tama ako sa part na sinabi ko na mabilis akong ma-misinterpret at nangyari iyon. In the end, I was able to learn from my mistakes. I was able to grow from it. I would say iba ako pagkalabas ko sa pagkapasok ko sa PBB. So that's what I'm happy with."
At the heart of it all is her family, especially her mother, who is her constant source of strength and guidance. Their support grounds her, giving her the reassurance she needs to keep going, even in the most demanding moments. “’Yung Mom ko, all of my family, but mostly my Mom, my sister-in-law, my brother, and ’yung handler ko si Ms. Julie [Jose]… ’Yung Mom ko talaga. Kasi siya lang talaga ‘yung kakampi ko. Nasanay ako na siya ’yung kausap ko lagi, siya ’yung tatakbuhan ko kapag may mangyayari, may problema ako, may worries ako, if may ayaw ako, siya ang una kong sasabihan tapos siya na ang bahala doon.”
Her mom is also her best friend who knows what to say and tells her what she needs to hear. “She always knows what to say, 'yung kailangan kong marinig sasabihin niya without me asking for it. Kaya noong nasa loob ako ng PBB, na-miss ko talaga siya kasi as everyone knows 'yung PBB journey ko, up and down. There are a lot of hard times for me, ako ’yung iyakin doon, nagki-cringe ako panoorin. Ang pangit, bakit ako umiiyak nang umiiyak? Pero ayun, those times were moments na hinahanap ko ’yung sasabihin ni Mommy.”
AZ’s journey is a testament to patience, timing, and quiet perseverance. Her entry into showbiz was not immediate; it involved enduring long waits, grappling with moments of doubt, and skillfully balancing her personal life behind the scenes.
Now, she is determinedly planning the next steps for both her career and personal life. AZ’s personal goal is to move into a new home that she will share with her Mom, reflecting her commitment to family and personal growth. “Definitely get a permanent house for my Mom and I. Kasi naka-condo lang kami ngayon. Although we have a house, but sa grandma ko kasi ’yun. I want parang sa amin na talaga, like for me, for my mom, for us na to stay in until I get old.” AZ added, “For career naman hoping for more projects, more endorsements, to explore more. Not only in acting but other opportunities.”
AZ is dedicated to honing her skills and consistently seeks ways to enhance her craft. At the same time, she looks forward to exploring new opportunities and ventures that lie ahead. “I really want to do romcom pero I also want to do action. Feel ko I’m really going to enjoy. Mukhang nakakapagod siya, pero I feel like it's going to be a challenge kasi medyo mahilig ako sa challenge. I want to explore more on what I can do, Kasi, I’m just starting e. We’re getting all of these opportunities sobrang init ng PBB Housemates ngayon. Pero this is just the start, marami pang puwedeng i-explore. Marami pang puwedeng mangyari sa buhay. This is just the beginning of it all.”
Beyond her acting pursuits, AZ dreams of stepping into the world of hosting, allowing her vibrant personality to shine on stage or on TV. She is also considering honing her craft in various areas to become a versatile force in the industry.
She said, “I want to try hosting para magamit naman ang pagiging madaldal ko. I feel like it's going to be a good experience, also. I want to work more on dancing, mga singing, I want to take on more workshops kasi I would admit that I am not the best singing, medyo wala sa tono so I want to work on those. Kasi baka naman kaya pa gawan ng paraan. Kung hindi huwag na lang natin pilitin ang mga bagay na hindi talaga para sa atin.”
Today, AZ is wholeheartedly embracing her journey as a woman who is gradually realizing her dreams. She remains dedicated to her personal and professional growth, inspiring the world to look forward to the exciting path her future in showbiz will carve.
In closing the conversation, AZ shares a heartfelt message for her future self.
“I would say na you may reach higher places, that doesn’t mean you should stop growing. It's important na nagi-improve ka pa rin, you're still learning. There's still a lot more to learn, even though you have reached so much already. I know you will, pero it doesn't end there. You should strive for more pa talaga and huwag kang mawalan ng drive or anything kasi that's the only thing that will keep you happy. Stay happy.”
"This is just the start, marami pang puwedeng i-explore. Marami pang puwedeng mangyari sa buhay. This is just the beginning of it all."
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AZ Martinez: In Sharp Focus
Published :May 06, 2026 02:45 PM PHTOnce at a crossroads and ready to walk away from it all, the former PBB celebrity housemate opens up about finding her voice, overcoming the noise, and turning her life's challenges into her greatest strengths.
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