‘Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition’ housemate and Sparkle star AZ Martinez has finally set the record straight about her relationship status, confirming that she and fellow actor Larkin Castor had already broken up before she entered Kuya’s house.
During the ‘PBB’ episode aired Saturday, April 12, AZ opened up about their on-and-off relationship of two years, which stemmed from a three-year-long friendship.
“Three years na po kaming magkakilala [ni Larkin]. Nag-start kami as best friends; within the two years, naging kami po, and bago po ako pumasok [sa PBB], medyo on-and-off na po kami. Ilang beses po kaming nag-break,” she shared.
According to AZ, the final breakup happened just a week before she joined the reality show—on her birthday.
“Noong birthday ko, which was a week before ako pumasok dito, nakipag-break na po talaga siya (Larkin) kasi ayaw niya po na pumasok ako rito.”
Fighting back tears, AZ opened up to Big Brother about the emotional weight of the split, revealing that the relationship began to feel restrictive over time.
“Wala namang relasyon na perpekto, pero gusto ko lang ‘yung relasyon na nakakaintindi sa mga gusto kong gawin. May times po kasi, Kuya, na nararamdaman ko na naho-hold back ako dahil sa relasyon namin.”
She added: “Ramdam ko na ang dami kong kailangan i-let go o hindi gawin dahil masyado lang akong tutok sa kaniya. And same din po para sa kaniya; ginawa niya rin po ‘yun para sa akin.”
AZ previously made headlines inside the house after admitting to having a crush on fellow housemate Dustin Yu, which stirred buzz on social media—especially since Dustin is known to be close friends with Larkin.
In a past conversation inside the PBB house, Dustin explained to AZ that he was deliberately avoiding any teasing or flirtation out of respect for his friendship with Larkin.
“Ako, umiiwas lang ako sa asar-asar… Siyempre kilala ko si Larkin,” Dustin said.
Dustin has since been praised online for setting clear boundaries and being a “green flag” male housemate, with netizens lauding his integrity and respect for the “bro code.”
‘Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition’ continues to air weeknights at 10:00 p.m. and weekends at 6:15 p.m. on GMA Network, Kapuso Stream, Kapamilya Online Live, iWantTFC, and TFC.
