Filo actress, television presenter, host and mother of two Iya Villania remains a loyal Kapuso when she signed a renewal contract with GMA Network this month.
Present during the signing on October 22 were GMA Network Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Felipe L. Gozon; Senior Vice President for Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable; Senior Assistant Vice President for Alternative Productions Gigi Santiago-Lara; Senior Program Manager Jennifer Cordova-Reyes and Asian Artists Agency Chief Operating Officer Rowena Salido.
In her five years of being with the Network, Iya has displayed her proficiency as a host and an actress and expressed her gratitude towards GMA for allowing her to grow both as an artist and a hands-on mother.
“I’m glad that I’m still here. In the five years that I’ve been here, I’m glad that GMA has allowed me to enjoy a good work-life balance. I get to enjoy being a mom, a wife, an athlete, on top of enjoying the work that I do here. That’s really what I love being with GMA. They make life so easy to love and live,” she said.
The talented star has extensive hosting experience including GMA programs Taste Buddies, Lip Sync Battle Philippines, People vs. The Stars, Home Foodie. At present, Iya is the host of Chika Minute, the showbiz segment of GMA Network’s flagship newscast 24 Oras, and the family-oriented morning show Mars Pa More.
Iya shares hosting Mars Pa More with Camille Prats which is a dream come true for her.
“It’s actually a show that I’ve always wanted to do for the longest time. I’m happy that I’m part of the show. It’s something that I’m very familiar with – it’s lifestyle magazine and especially now that I’m a mom. I’m really in my comfort zone when I’m at Mars Pa More.”
The Aussie Pinoy’s versatility as an actress was specially amazing when she took on the lovable role of Kennedy in My Korean Jagiya and Becca in Because of You.
“We are very grateful na napili na naman niya tayo dahil si Iya ay hindi lamang magaling na host pero magaling na artista rin ‘yan. She is a valued asset of the Kapuso Network,” Atty. Gozon said.
The Aussie Connection
Villania was born and raised in Sydney to Filipino parents, Ray Villania and Elena Ebaler. She is the youngest of three siblings.
Villania’s started to be interested since she was a child. She used to be a member of a motivational touring band in Australia that addresses issues in schools and churches such as bullying, drink-driving, self-esteem. Called Iron and Clay, the band is a team of creative artists and performers that stand as ‘role models’, directing youth towards understanding their value and full potential through music, dance, sharing, entertainment, and education.
Iya returned to the Philippines where she finished high school in Colegio San Agustin in Makati in 2004. She then took a degree in psychology in De La Salle University and graduated in 2008.
She developed a ten-year relationship with boyfriend Drew Arellano before getting married on January 31, 2014.
Iya and Drew have two children, Antonio Primo (born in 2016) and Alonzo Leon (born in 2018).
