AZ Martinez is Miss Summit International 2023./HIYAS NG PILIPINAS FACEBOOK PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has asserted its reputation as an international pageant powerhouse with another victory on the global arena. Kapuso actress and Hiyas ng Pilipinas titleholder AZ Martinez was crowned 2023 Miss Summit International in Florida in the United States on Sept. 2 (Sept. 3 in Manila).
Hiyas ng Pilipinas National Director Eva Patalinjug broke the good news on social media on Sunday morning. “Hiyas ng Pilipinas is so proud of you,” said the lawyer and former Binibining Pilipinas and Mutya ng Pilipinas titleholder.
AZ Martinez on Eva Patalinjug’s Instagram Stories
Martinez was supposed to compete in the 2023 Miss Elite pageant after capturing the Miss Elite Philippines crown at the Hiyas ng Pilipinas pageant’s inaugural edition last year. But her participation in the global tilt did not push through. The national organization then decided to send her to the Miss Summit International contest after acquiring the franchise for the competition.
The Philippines also scored back-to-back victories with Martinez’s coronation. Filipino queen Nica Soza captured the international title last year.
“This victory meant a lot to our organization, since our foundation is still a baby, and we have a lot to prove. We’re very happy that our first international delegate won the title. We are beyond proud. It only goes to show that Hiyas ng Pilipinas is here to stay and onto greater heights,” Patalinjug told INQUIRER.net in an online interview.
She said she has witnessed Martinez’s growth since last year’s national competition. “And now that her hard work has come to fruition, I’m beyond words. I’m just so proud of her,” the beauty queen-lawyer continued.
Patalinjug said that when they created Hiyas ng Pilipinas last year, “we envisioned ladies just like her to be able to reach their goals and dreams in life. I’m so glad I was part of that.” She then reminded Martinez to always look back to her roots. “She has a long way to go, and there are a lot of things that life has in store for her. We are all proud of her,” she added.
The Hiyas ng Pilipinas pageant has already completed its roster of contenders for the 2023 competition, meeting its initial target of 45 delegates, 15 from Luzon, 15 from Visayas, and 15 from Mindanao. The delegates already formally received their sashes as official candidates. The last group to be presented were the successful applicants from Luzon, who were introduced at the Paraiso ni Baste resort in Valenzuela City on Sept. 2.
Hiyas ng Pilipinas Chair Mike Sordilla said the 45 official candidates were chosen from more than 100 applicants form the screenings conducted in Luzon, in Visayas, and in Mindanao. He also promised to treat the ladies with utmost care and respect, and already handed over to them the official handbook containing all the information and instructions that the aspirants will need to be fully prepared for the national pageant.
Hiyas ng Pilipinas Chair Mike Sordilla (front, center) presents the successful applicants from Luzon./ARMIN P. ADINA
“I also reminded the team to hold our activities only during weekends, because many of these girls are working, or are still in school. So the pageant will not interfere with their work or studies,” shared Sordilla, who also said that the candidates’ contract with the organization already mentions the full calendar of activities.
Sordilla said that the Hiyas ng Pilipinas Foundation Inc. has also included a groundbreaking clause in the organization’s contracts with the candidates. If for any reason the organizers breach their own agreement, including changing the competition schedule, they will be compelled to compensate all candidates, and pay them P100,000 each. This clause is unique to the national pageant.
The 2023 Hiyas ng Pilipinas pageant will hold its national finals in Cebu in November. All candidates will be gathered together for one week leading to the coronation night. The contest will choose the Philippines’ representatives to the 2023 Miss Tourism World, 2023 Miss Omninational, and 2024 Miss Summit International competitions. EDV