Body Talk with Iya Villania

Showbiz is not an alien territory to Iya Villania, the "cute petite thing" (according to a Funfare reader who has a big crush on her), who provides the glamour touch (along with co-hosts Kit Alano and Janelle Jamer) to the revived ABS-CBN gameshow Wowowee (hosted by Willie Revillame).

"I’ve been a performer since I was seven," said Iya who spent her childhood in Sydney where her parents, both Filipino, worked. She’s the youngest of three daughters, born in Sydney where she had her early education. "I’ve been doing the front act for the shows of Filipino artists in Australia," she added.

And that was how she was discovered three years ago by talent manager Arnold Vegafria in whose stable Iya now belongs.

"He saw me doing front act for some of his talents. He asked me to start a career here, so I did," said Iya who speaks fluent Filipino, unlike many "foreign-bred" talents who do so with a twisted tongue.

She finished high school here and is now taking up B.S. Psychology at La Salle and also studies at the Asian College of Science and Technology (ACSAT) of which she’s an endorser.

How does she balance showbiz and school?

"Time management," said Iya who stands 5’5", weighs 114 1bs., and wears small-sized shirts and size 9 shoes.

Does she still have time for love – you know, for her boyfriend Drew Arellano?

"Of course naman, I have. I find time for him and he also finds time for me."

A few months ago, Iya hit the headlines when her new car was stolen a few blocks away from the ABS-CBN studios and a police outpost.

"It was a traumatic experience," recalled Iya. "Luckily, I wasn’t in the car when they stole it."

After co-starring with Bong Revilla in Exodus: Tales from the Enchanted Kingdom, a 2005 Metro Manila Filmfest entry, Iya is now playing leading lady to Dennis Trillo in the Regal Films suspense-thriller Pamahiin, directorial debut of Rahyan Carlos (nephew of the late veteran comedy director Chaning Carlos).

How do you keep up with your busy schedule?

"I accept only projects that I can do. I attend my classes every day from 8 a.m. to 11:10 a.m. at the latest. Then, I rush to Wowowee."

How much sleep do you get per night?

"At most, three to four hours, especially if I have a shoot."

How do you make up for it?

"I take power naps in the car."

What kind of diet do you follow?

"None. I eat anything! But I watch what I eat. But when I go to the gym, I start counting calories."

What’s your favorite food?

"Kare-kare."

Junk food?

"Fries."

How much liquid do you take every day?

"Oh, lots of water. No soda for me. Only water."

What vitamins and minerals do you take?

"Cecon (Vitamin C) and a multi-vitamin."

What kind of workout do you do?

"Right now, due to lack of time, I can’t go to the gym. But I hope to go back soon."

What part of your body is your favorite?

"My arms. They are lean and firm. And my eyes."

What part of a guy’s body do you look at first?

"His arms."

What part of Drew’s body do you like most?

"His arms."

What part of your body do you think needs some improvement?

"I think... my legs. I have very muscular legs because I’m sporty. I need to trim them a bit."

What’s your favorite sport?

"Track and field. That’s what I usually competed in in Australia."

And what part of Drew’s body do you think needs some improvement?

"None. He’s okay as he is."

What about his height (5’5")?

"Okay lang – as long as I don’t wear heels when I am with him."

How do you cope with stress?

"I spend time for myself, take a break from showbiz. I stay at home or watch movies. I read but I have this habit of not finishing a book."

What was the last book that you started but never finished reading?

"Wicked. I forgot who the author is."

How’s your love life?

"Good. Happy."

What do Drew and you have in common?

"Many things. We both love to eat, we are both family-oriented, we are both sporty. We’ve been doing great for two years now."

Do you have a nightlife?

"Zero. Always busy kasi, eh."

What’s your favorite hideaway?

"Tagaytay City. So close and yet so far from Manila."

What’s your outlook in life?

"I’m an optimist. Why look at the dark side of life when there’s a bright side?"

Are you vain like most good-looking girls?

"Vain? Noooo!!! Sometimes nga pag nagri-reading ako, the staff would tell me, ‘Iya, magsuklay ka nga!’ I’m not vain. I’m not conscious of how I look."

How long does it take you to fix yourself?

"When it comes to fixing myself up, I like to take my time. I want to linger in the bathtub."

What’s the last thing that you do before you go to sleep?

"Wash my face."

And the first thing that you do when you wake up?

"Eat breakfast."

Name three guys you think have nice bodies.

"Drew (of course!). Marc Nelson. Piolo Pascual."

And three girls...

"Aubrey Miles. Vina Morales. Jennifer Lopez."

Using only body language, how would you make a guy know that you admire/like him?

"I’m shy when it comes to this thing. I just pretend I’m not interested in him."

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