Iya Villania sparks curiosity and creativity in the kitchen

Iya Villania is bringing out again her “Mamazing Iya” persona for Eat Well, Live Well. Stay Well.’s fourth season. Some think that the character is an extension of the 24 Oras Chika Minute host. Both are bubbly and modern moms. They also take on the challenge to prepare delicious and healthy meals for loved ones.

“Ngayong lumalaki na sila, kasi nung maliit sila… kahit anong i-prepare ko para sa kanila, wala naman silang alam kundi kainin lang eh (It’s challenging now that they are growing up, as compared to when they were little. Whatever I prepared then, they would eat it),” said Iya of how her creativity in the kitchen is being tested when cooking up food for her older children in a recent virtual press conference. She and husband Drew Arellano are blessed with three boys (Primo, six, Leon, four, and Astro, only months old) and a daughter (Alana, two). Her show’s Season 4, presented by Ajinomoto and GMA 7, premieres tomorrow, Oct. 14, at 11:05 a.m.

“Siyempre habang lumalaki (ay) parang biglang ayaw na nila ng green, ayaw na nila ng ganito, ayaw na nila ng ganyan (It seems all of a sudden, they don’t like greens, or this or that particular food),” added she. “As they grow up and there’s change in their taste palate, I also have to make some changes and I also have to experiment.”

Iya finds a way to provide what the kids prefer and instill in them the value of healthy eating (like to include vegetables in their diet). Such task is made easier because she has a partner in Drew Arellano, who is a good cook himself.

“Drew is very strict when it comes to food that children eat and (he) really wants to make sure there’s vegetable and protein,” shared Iya, who also named ginisang pechay with ground beef; Chicken Curry, Pinoy style; Adobo; and chicken nuggets with spinach as among viands she prepares for the young ones.

Like fellow mommies out there, Iya will add more recipes to her collection with the latest season of Eat Well, Live Well. Stay Well.

“Every time there’s a new season, it’s always good news for me and Jose,” said Iya. “I have to say that we have been so blessed because even during the pandemic, tuloy pa rin ang laban namin dito sa Eat Well, Live Well. Stay Well., and until now that things are going back to normal, we’re still here. So we’re happy to serve you, guys, lalo na as we all know, I’m sure when you all watch the news, there are so many changes in our economy, especially in our supplies and our produce.”

With that, Iya and Chef Jose Sarasola, also known as Chef Cuz in the show, will help and guide viewers with these changes in preparing meals for the family, said she.

“The change in time (is) also very important in, you know, fixing our recipes to cater to everyone. This is a bit pricey dish, so we have to make it a little more affordable and to make the dishes still very budget-friendly, pero masarap pa rin na mag-e-enjoy yung whole family and of course, healthier as well,” Jose added and shared that the soon-to-be served menus are “talagang sobrang kakaiba, sobrang sarap, sobrang unique ng mga recipes. So, kailangan abangan ng mga Kapuso yan.”

Since the ber months are upon us, the hosts said they also have specific recipes with a twist, which are perfect for noche buena or New Year’s Eve and Day celebration.

“I really look forward to each season because each season always brings new recipes,” said Iya, “and for someone who loves to be in the kitchen, for someone who, I mean, with all honesty, I started… I wasn’t all that confident in the kitchen. It’s been through Eat Well, Live Well. Stay Well that I’ve been gaining confidence. So, with each season, there are new recipes that I get to take home and also use here at home. Kaya sobrang nakakatuwa.”

Aside from the budget-friendly and healthy dishes Eat Well, Live Well. Stay Well. has been preparing for viewers, Iya said, “when we give you, guys, something new to do, it sparks curiosity, and I’m hoping after that, siyempre ‘pag inisip nila na ‘Ay, OK. Alam mo hindi ko ito naisip gawin.’ Now that they have something new they have already tried, perhaps they can also experiment with other things they have already done in the kitchen. I’d really like to think that through our very easy and simple recipes, nagkakaroon sila ng confidence to prepare homemade meals, kasi iba rin talaga kapag lutong bahay.”

Iya is always ready to be Mamazing Iya, who has become a voice of healthy eating and living from the pandemic times to the new normal.