MANILA, Philippines — Despite their busy schedules, Drew Arellano and seven months pregnant wife Iya Villania always find time for each other and for their first-born Primo. Drew hosts the Kapuso travel show Byahe ni Drew and AHA!, while Iya delivers showbiz news on 24 Oras’ Chika Minute and co-hosts Lip Sync Battle Philippines 2.
Cooking and learning new recipes are among the couple’s bonding moments.
Said Iya, “We both love to eat and to cook so we really enjoy our time together in the kitchen. Ultimong kahit just making a toast masaya na kami.”
Drew shared, “I think our relationship just keeps on getting better, especially now that we have Primo.”
Drew is always shooting for Byahe ni Drew. Iya was quick to add, “But he does still have time for the family. It just looks like he’s always away. Actually, we still get a lot of time. Ang galing lang din kasi ng Byahe ni Drew because they really pack so much activities into the show that he really seems like he’s away for long but actually he’s not. He still gets to come home and does his family duties — be a dad and playmate to Primo, also being a chef and cook for me when I’m hungry.”
With (from left) Chefs Martin Narisma, Llena Tan-Arcenas and John Valley
Iya and Drew are perfect as hosts of San Miguel Purefoods Home Foodie on its fourth season. They continue to showcase their confidence in the kitchen after having hosted the cooking show since its second season. It was only Drew who hosted the first season.
On Home Foodie’s new season, Drew and Iya help the chefs prepare the featured dishes. They also provide tips and offer “Madalicious” (madali na, delicious pa) meal solutions — to both televiewers and netizens — which are inspired by trending dishes from restaurants and new twists to classic favorites. Home Foodie also features a wide array of San Miguel Purefoods products.
What’s also new in Home Foodie’s latest season is, it promises more consumer engagement, new chefs, more delectable dishes and the couple’s leveled-up cooking skills. Joining Chef Llena Tan-Arcenas in guiding Drew and Iya create Madalicious meals are Chefs Martin Narisma and John Valley.
Iya said she feels really flattered and “nakakakilig because there are so many other couples that they could choose from. So sobra akong natutuwa that they’ve put their faith in Drew and me.”
Asked how being a married couple helps them as hosts of the show, Iya replied, “Well, syempre natural yung chemistry and natural yung kulitan. I think ‘yun yung nakatulong sa amin.”
(Home Foodie premieres its fourth season on June 11 and will air weekdays after Unang Hirit on GMA 7)