Arzen Rose Dulzura

Duo Challengers cry over River’s genuine heart, but question AZ’s ‘pagpapakatotoo’ in Big Tapatan

Article (news)

Liezel Dela Cruz

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1750663501688Thumb (11).jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div>Questions flew like bullets during the Big Tapatan task of “<a href="http://pbb.abs-cbn.com">Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition</a>,” where the remaining duos faced a sharp debate-like interrogation from the evictees who returned as Duo House Challengers. AZ Martinez and River Joseph a.k.a. AzVer found themselves the target of harsh criticism, but still showed fighting spirit and heart.  Palaban—that’s how AZ came across as she faced the Duo Challengers’ tough questions head-on during the Big Tapatan, starting off with an intense call-out from Ashley Ortega, &quot;Paano ka nagpakatotoo sa akin? When you were right in front of me, you&#x27;re a two-faced person!&quot;  But instead of matching the heat, AZ chose honesty and composure in her reply, &quot;Siguro ganu&#x27;n talaga &#x27;yung naramdaman ko sa&#x27;yo kasi hindi ko rin nakita na naging totoo ka.&quot; Next to throw in her question was Shuvee Etrata, who had tension with AZ after she and River nominated her and Klarisse de Guzman in the face-to-face nomination, leading to ShuKla&#x27;s eviction. Shuvee accused AZ of betrayal, saying AZ had claimed they were allies but still chose to nominate her.  AZ stood her ground and made it clear she wasn’t out to betray anyone. She pointed out that Shuvee herself gave nomination points to River, which meant nominating her, too. As for the hate she’s been getting for giving Shuvee nomination points, AZ kept it logical, &quot;Tanong ni Kuya, whole journey. Bakit? Hahanapan ko ba ng mali &#x27;yung ibang tao? Wala akong maling mahanap sa kanila.&quot;  <div><iframe width="966" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rp8UzKb_59s" title="Day 105: Duo Challengers, ginisa ang pagpapakatotoo ni AZ | PBB Collab" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>That&#x27;s when Klarisse sarcastically commented, &quot;Siyempre, hindi mo pwedeng hanapan si Ralph [de Leon],&quot; to which AZ clapped back, &quot;Bakit, Ate Klang? May nahanap ka bang mali kay Ralph?&quot;  River also took the chance to explain why he and AZ gave nomination points to ShuKla, which Klarisse assumed was because of some hidden grudge against her. He said, &quot;Ang sinasabi ko sa&#x27;yo sa tuwing kumakain tayo, totoo &#x27;yun, mahal kita. I appreciate what you do for the cooking. I appreciate everything you did in this house. I was being true. I was not lying. I was not lying to myself. But then when it comes to nomination, we have to choose someone.&quot; And River’s heart poured out even more when the House Challengers pushed him to talk about how motivated he really is to stay in the competition and fight for his spot. &quot;Are you just going to give this spot away?&quot; challenged Michael Sager, one of the closest friends River made inside, urging him to start fighting for himself instead of always fighting for others. &quot;I&#x27;m not just fighting for myself. I&#x27;m fighting for my family. I&#x27;m fighting for my dad, my brother. I was so scared to share their story but then I did &#x27;cause I know I can help so much people with it, and that&#x27;s what I&#x27;m fighting for. I&#x27;m not fighting for myself. Honestly, I&#x27;m not fighting for myself. I&#x27;m fighting for my family. I&#x27;m fighting for the people who can relate to me,&quot; he opened up, crying, while Michael was seen holding back his own emotions. &quot;I&#x27;m fighting for AZ because she also deserves this spot. Kaya nga ako lumalaban ngayon,&quot; he added. &quot;You can&#x27;t give to others when your cup is empty. But me, I feel kasi na I&#x27;m so blessed. I have so much to give even if my cup is empty. I&#x27;m willing to give.&quot; <div><iframe width="966" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bjMfzr4XrSY" title="Day 105: River, napuno ng emosyon sa Big Tapatan | PBB Collab" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>The House Challengers kept pushing River to think about himself this time, to finally stand up for what he wanted, with Kira Balinger shouting, “It’s always about other people!” Michael and Emilio Daez pressed him even more, sounding like they were mocking him for saying he wanted his spot while always talking about sacrificing for others. “Fight for yourself, bro. Deserve that spot, man,” Michael urged, until River finally raised his voice and shouted, “I want it badly.” When Xyriel Manabat, whom he considers his little sister, asked how they could make up for their stay in Bahay ni Kuya, River answered, &quot;Every time someone was nominated, it crushed me, which made me even want to leave more each time. That&#x27;s what made me want to give up. Each time, each and everyone of you left, that was the reason I also wanted to leave.&quot; He continued, &quot;Kasi sabi ko, do I deserve this? Mas deserving sila.&quot; &quot;Throughout my whole journey here in this house, I know I never thought about myself,&quot; he went on, leaving the House Challengers in tears. &quot;I was always stepped on, always last, never first pick. But it&#x27;s okay. I wasn&#x27;t super competitive because I would also be happy whenever other people would shine. But I stayed and I fought everytime my ka-duo ako.&quot;  He went on to mention Michael, Vince Maristela, and Josh Ford as also among the reasons why he keeps fighting. &quot;That&#x27;s why I believe we deserve to be where we are right now and we deserve to be in the Big Four.&quot;When AzVer left the activity area, emotions finally poured out from the House Challengers. Inside the Confession Room, Klarisse admitted that she really felt bad about having to grill AzVer that way. &quot;I feel so bad na kailangan kong gawin &#x27;yun kasi ang hirap po. Lalo po kay AZ and River, &#x27;yung pag-nominate po, Kuya, wala naman po talaga sa akin &#x27;yun. Bakit kailangan kong ipa-feel sa kanila na masama loob namin. Ang hirap pong makita silang gano&#x27;n, even sa ibang duos po,&quot; she told Big Brother.Kira, feeling guilty, broke down in tears as she said, &quot;Sinigawan ko si River.&quot;  But Michael reminded everyone that they had to do it so River could finally bring out his drive. &quot;He has to see his worth,&quot; Michael pointed out, to which Shuvee added, &quot;It&#x27;s so nice to hear those from him talaga. Like, from the core... wow. He has to fight for himself.&quot; Michael said, &quot;River is so pure.&quot;  Will AzVer make it to the Big Four? Catch Catch <a href="http://pbb.abs-cbn.com">“PBB Collab”</a> weeknights at 10:05 pm, and Saturdays at 6:15 pm, on Kapamilya Online Live (KOL).

River Joseph’s heartfelt words and AZ Martinez’s fearless defense stirred emotions during the PBB Collab Big Tapatan task.

River Joseph’s heartfelt words and AZ Martinez’s fearless defense stirred emotions during the PBB Collab Big Tapatan task.