Iya Villania-Arellano (born Raelene Elaine Ebaler Villania on June 29, 1986) is a Filipino-Australian television presenter, actress, and host. She has been widely known for her work as a VJ in the music channel MYX.
Early and personal life[]
Villania was born and raised in Sydney, Australia to Filipino parents, Ray Villania and Elena Nada Ebaler. The youngest of three siblings, she has two older sisters named Rhoda and Sheila. Villania's interest in music started when her father sang karaoke when she was a child. She used to be a member of a Missionary touring band in Australia that address issues in schools and churches such bullying, drunk driving, self-esteem . The motivational band is called IRON AND CLAY www.ironandclay.com.au then she returned to the Philippines and went to high school in Colegio San Agustin in Makati, graduating in March 2004. She attended college at De La Salle University – Manila majoring in psychology and graduated on December 16, 2008.
On January 31, 2014, she married her boyfriend of ten years, television host Drew Arellano, in Meditation Point, Kawayan Cove, Nasugbu, Batangas. In March 2016, the couple announced through Instagram that they were expecting their first child. The couple's first child, Antonio Primo, was born on August 30, 2016. Nearly two years later, she announced on social media and on 24 Oras that they were expecting their second child. She gave birth to Alonzo Leon, who was born on August 19, 2018, their second child. On July 18, 2020, she gave birth to a daughter, Alana Lauren, their third child.
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". She was raised in the Seventh-day Adventist faith, but has since been excommunicated.
Career[]
Beginnings in Game Channel and GMA-7[]
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.
Move to ABS-CBN and MYX VJ career[]
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.
Return to GMA Network and present career[]
After finishing her supporting stint in the hit primetime series Apoy Sa Dagat, Villania took the rest of 2013 as a break. In early 2014, she announced her return to GMA Network and then appeared on the weekend musical variety show Sunday All Stars. She was initially rumored to have been considered to be the new host for the reality talent competition StarStruck but these reports were proven false when Megan Young was announced by the network to be the new host. On June 11, 2015, the top-rating nightly news program 24 Oras announced that Villania is taking over the showbiz anchor slot taking over for the show's entertainment correspondent of 11 years Pia Guanio.
Discography[]
- Finally! (2008)
Filmography[]
Television[]
| Year | Title | Role | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019–present | Tunay na Buhay | Guest | GMA Network |
| Mars Pa More | Herself / Host | ||
| 2017 | All Star Videoke | Herself / Host | GMA Network |
| 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 | |
| 2002-2004 | Click | Sydney Torres | GMA Network |
| 2002 | Kahit Kailan | Marjorie | GMA Network |
Films[]
| Year | Title | Role | Studio |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Flores De Mara | ||
| 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 | Aishite Imasu 1941: Mahal Kita | Julia | Regal Entertainment |
| A Beautiful Life | Janice |
Music videos[]
| Year | Song | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | "I Never Cry" | Finally! |
| 2008 | "My First Broken Heart" | Finally! |
| 2006 | "Good To Be Me" | Rose Online Original Soundtrack |
| 2005 | "Almost Paradise" | Footloose: The Musicale Original Soundtrack |
Endorsements[]
| Year | Brand | Company |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Wilkins Distilled | The Coca-Cola Company |
| 2014 | Kopiko Blanca | Kopiko Coffee |
| 2013 | Tencent Holdings, P&G |