Iya Villania
Raelene Elaine Villania[fn 1](born June 29, 1986), known professionally as Iya Villania-Arellano (Tagalog: [ɪˈjɐ biˈʎɐɲɐ ɐˈɾɛʎɐno]), is a Filipino-Australian singer, television presenter, and actress.[1] She has been widely known for her work as a VJ in the music channel MYX.
Iya Villania-Arellano | |
|---|---|
| Born | Raelene Elaine Villania[fn 1] June 29, 1986 |
| Nationality | Filipino-Australian |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Agents |
|
| Spouse | |
| Children | 4 |
| Relatives | Antonio Arellano (father-in-law) Bernadette Estrella Arellano (mother-in-law) Conrado F. Estrella Sr. (grandfather-in-law) Conrado M. Estrella III (cousin-in-law) |
Early and personal life
Raelene Elaine Ebaler Villania was born and raised in Sydney to Filipino parents, Ray Villania and Elena Nada Ebaler. The youngest of three siblings, she has two older sisters named Rhoda and Sheila.[2] Villania's interest in music started when her father sang karaoke when she was a child. She used to be a member of a touring band in Australia called Iron & Clay that address issues in schools and churches such bullying, drunk driving, and self-esteem. Later, she returned to the Philippines and attended high school at Colegio San Agustin in Makati, graduating in March 2004.[3] She attended college at De La Salle University – Manila majoring in psychology and graduated on December 16, 2008.[4]
On January 31, 2014, Villania married Drew Arellano, her boyfriend and a television host. Their wedding was held in Nasugbu, Batangas.[5] They have four children with him: Antonio Primo (born 2016),[6] Alonzo Leon (born 2018),[7] Alana Lauren (born 2020),[8] and Astro Phoenix (born 2022).[9]
Villania is an advocate for abstaining from sex before marriage. She divulged that she had not had sexual intercourse before marrying Arellano, who himself was supportive of her decision. Although she does not necessarily condemn women who has had intercourse, she remarked that virginity is "something that a girl can be proud of".[10] She was raised in the Seventh-day Adventist faith,[11][12] but has since been excommunicated.[citation needed] In January 2022, Villania, alongside Arellano and their three children, tested positive for COVID-19.[13][14][15]
Career
Villania's first television appearance in the Philippines was in 2003 on the IBC interactive program "Game Channel". After she gained a "cult" following, the management team of GMA Network took notice and cast her in the daytime drama Walang Hanggan. She then played the role of Sydney Torres in the third and fourth seasons of the iconic teen series Click.
In 2004, she moved to GMA's rival network ABS-CBN and was announced as one of the new VJ's for their subsidiary music channel Myx. She would remain in the job for 10 years. Subsequently, she was regularly featured in the variety show ASAP. Villania's feature film debut was in the 2004 drama "A Beautiful Life" alongside acclaimed actresses Gloria Romero, Dina Bonnevie and Amy Austria. In the same year, Villania appeared in the critically acclaimed historical film Aishite Imasu 1941: Mahal Kita. Her run as host on ABS-CBN included briefly co-hosting the noontime game show Wowowee in 2005, the two seasons of the reality dance competition show U Can Dance in 2006 and 2007, the reality show I Dare You in 2011 and her two-year stint on ABS-CBN's morning show Umagang Kay Ganda. Villania also hosted the Studio 23 lifestyle program Us Girls from 2006 to 2012. In 2008, she released her first album, Finally! under Viva Records.
After signing an executive contract with GMA Network in October 2014, Villania made a part of Sunday All Stars (2013–2015), a variety show.[16] She became the Chika Minute segment anchor of 24 Oras in June 2015, replacing Pia Guanio.[17]
Popular culture
She accidentally popularized a now very common Filipino slang greeting "haller/heller" in place of "hello". This was credited to her distinctive and then-unfamiliar Australian twang in her early showbiz career years. On her show, Game Channel - Filipino viewers misheard her intro greeting as though she's saying "Heller!".[18]
Discography
- Finally! (2008)
Filmography
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Tunay na Buhay | Guest | GMA Network |
| 2019–2022 | Mars Pa More | Herself / Host | |
| 2017 | All Star Videoke | Herself / Host | |
| 2017–2018 | My Korean Jagiya | Kennedy Santos | |
| 2017 | Sunday PinaSaya | Herself / Guest | |
| Mars | GMA News TV | ||
| People vs. the Stars | Host | GMA Network | |
| 2016 | Lip Sync Battle Philippines | Host | |
| Yan ang Morning! | Guest | ||
| 2015–2016 | Because of You | Rebecca Reyes | |
| 2015 | Sunday PinaSaya | Herself / Guest | |
| 2015–present | 24 Oras | Chika Minute segment host | |
| Home Foodie | Host | ||
| 2015 | Ang Pinaka | Guest host | GMA News TV |
| 2015 | Mundo ni Juan | Host | GMA Network |
| 2014–2016 | Taste Buddies | GMA News TV | |
| 2014 | The Ryzza Mae Show | Herself / Guest | GMA Network |
| Startalk | Guest | ||
| Sunday All Stars | Herself / Host / Performer | ||
| 2013 | Apoy Sa Dagat | Helena Redentor | ABS-CBN |
| 2011–2013 | Umagang Kay Ganda | Herself / Host | |
| 2011 | Pilipinas Got Talent (season 2) | Guest Host | |
| 2011 | I Dare You | ||
| 2011–2012 | It's Showtime | Guest | |
| 2010 | Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Kristine | Scarlett Saavedra | |
| 2009 | Only You | Trixie Gonzales | |
| 2008 | OMG! | Host | TV5 |
| Mysmatch | |||
| Palmolive Shining Circle of 10: Batch 2008 | ABS-CBN | ||
| 2007 | Mars Ravelo's Lastikman | Yellena White | |
| Love Spell Presents: Ellay Enchanted | Cast Member | ||
| U Can Dance Ver. 2 | Host | ||
| Your Song Presents: Never Knew Love Like This Before | Becca | ||
| 2006–2012 | Us Girls | Host | Studio 23 |
| 2006 | Your Song Presents: Narda | Lea | ABS-CBN |
| Komiks Presents: Da Adventures of Pedro Penduko | Budlis | ||
| U Can Dance | Host | ||
| 2005–2006 | Wowowee | Co-Host | |
| 2004–2014 | ASAP | ||
| MYX | VJ | MYX | |
| 2004 | Seasons of Love | Alex | ABS-CBN |
| ASAP Fanatic | Host | ||
| SOP Gigsters | GMA Network | ||
| Gamechannel Extreme | Game Jock | ABC | |
| 2003 | Gamechannel | IBC | |
| Walang Hanggan | Rachelle | GMA Network | |
| 2003–2004 | Click | Sydney Torres | |
| 2002 | Kahit Kailan | Marjorie |
Films
| Year | Title | Role | Studio |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Shake, Rattle & Roll 11 | Lia † | Regal Entertainment |
| When I Met U | Tracy | GMA Films, Regal Entertainment | |
| 2007 | Paano Kita Iibigin | Tessa | Star Cinema, Viva Films |
| 2006 | Pamahiin | Eileen | Regal Entertainment |
| 2005 | Exodus: Tales from the Enchanted Kingdom | Lin-Ay | Enchanted Kingdom, Ignite Media, Imus Productions |
| 2004 | Spirit of the Glass | OctoArts Films | |
| Aishite Imasu 1941: Mahal Kita | Julia | Regal Entertainment | |
| A Beautiful Life | Janice |
Notes
References
- ^ Iya Villania wants to marry Drew Arellano "MANILA, Philippines -- Iya Villania is confident that her 9-year relationship with Drew Arellano will eventually lead to marriage. In an interview on late-night newscast "Bandila" aired Friday, the Kapamilya singer-host belied rumors that she and Arellano have already secretly married."
- ^ . TV Guide. Archived from the original on September 25, 2017. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
- ^ Lo, Ricky (October 29, 2008). "So who broke Iya's heart?". The Philippine Star. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
- ^ Dimaculangan, Jocelyn (March 4, 2008). "RP showbiz personalities who excel academically". GMA News. GMA Network Inc. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
- ^ de Jesus, Julliane Love (January 31, 2014). "Iya Villania, Drew Arellano finally tie the knot". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on January 31, 2022. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
- ^ "Look: Iya Villania, Drew Arellano welcome son". Rappler. August 30, 2016. Archived from the original on January 31, 2022. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
- ^ "Look: Iya Villania, Drew Arellano welcome 2nd son Leon". Rappler. August 19, 2018. Archived from the original on January 31, 2022. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
- ^ "Iya Villania and Drew Arellano welcome baby girl". Rappler. July 18, 2020. Archived from the original on January 31, 2022. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
- ^ "Iya Villania, Drew Arellano welcome fourth child". CNN Philippines. June 4, 2022. Archived from the original on June 4, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
- ^ "Iya: I was a virgin until wedding to Drew". ABS-CBN News. January 15, 2015. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
- ^ "Seventeen Magazine January 2005". Facebook. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
- ^ "Iya Villania: Home away from home". Philippine Entertainment Portal. June 2007. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
- ^ Kingsu-Cheng, Jane (January 11, 2022). "Iya Villania, Drew Arellano test positive for COVID-19". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on January 31, 2022. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
- ^ Cruz, Dana (January 13, 2022). "Iya Villania, Drew Arellano's 3-year-old son tests positive for COVID-19". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on January 31, 2022. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
- ^ Plaza, Marane A. (January 22, 2022). "Iya Villania back on 24 Oras after bout with COVID-19". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on February 2, 2022. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
- ^ Jimenez, Joyce (October 30, 2014). "Iya Villania returns to GMA". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on February 2, 2022. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
- ^ "Iya Villania is new Chika Minute host on 24 Oras". Rappler. June 11, 2015. from the original on February 2, 2022. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
- ^ "10 Catchphrases that Caught On Locally".
External links
- Iya Villania at IMDb