GMA Sparkle artist AZ Martinez is Miss Summit Philippines./HIYAS NG PILIPINAS FACEBOOK PAGE
MANILA, Philippines — It is now Eva Patalinjug’s turn to be the “queen mother” after she deployed her 2022 Hiyas ng Pilipinas queen and GMA Sparkle artist AZ Martinez to an international competition.
The lawyer and former Binibining Pilipinas titleholder is now on the other side of the fence as the national director of the Cebu-based national pageant organization Hiyas ng Pilipinas. Patalinjug may have retired from her on-stage pageant journey, but she is now working to fulfill many other women’s dreams of representing the country abroad.
Martinez was crowned Miss Elite Philippines in the 2022 Hiyas ng Pilipinas pageant, the contest’s first edition, and was supposed to compete in the 2023 Miss Elite competition in Egypt, but it did not push through. Now she has found a second shot at capturing an international title when the national organization appointed her to a new global tilt.
Hiyas ng Pilipinas Chairman Mike Sordilla, who acquired the national organization earlier this year, said they have secured the national franchise for the Miss Summit International pageant, and will be needing to send a delegate before the scheduled national competition this year. He said Martinez was chosen to represent the Philippines.
“AZ has displayed submissiveness, a strong work ethic, and natural beauty while quietly and diligently striving to bring honor to our country, the Philippines,” Sordilla told INQUIRER.net in an online interview.
“My only message to her is to savor the journey and feel no pressure. Being young and experiencing the USA for the first time, she understands that the crown is simply a piece of metal. The true crown lies in the lasting experiences she will hold dear. At Hiyas ng Pilipinas, we take pride in her, with or without the crown, knowing she possesses a solid foundation. We are proud of her and we love her,” he continued.
Patalinjug, for her part, said, “I just want to let AZ know that we, the Hiyas ng Pilipinas Foundation Inc. family, are always here to support her. We believe in her and we know she will win the crown! Finally, all her hard work will come to fruition as she competes in an international stage and represent the Philippines with her whole heart.”
Martinez will try to score a second straight victory for the Philippines, after Filipino queen Nica Zosa captured the Miss Summit International title in the 2022 competition held in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 2023 Miss Summit International coronation night will be held in Florida on Sept. 2 (Sept. 3 in Manila). EDV