MANILA, Philippines - Actress-TV host Iya Villania admits her boyfriend, TV host Drew Arellano, is not as happy as her male fans over the new and much more provocative image she has these days.
“It’s something different for him, like, ‘Wow may ganyan ka na huh,’” said she quoting her boyfriend in an interview with Push.com.
Villania, who shows off her sexier side on a TV series and in the calendar spread for an alcohol brand, empathizes with him.
“But of course, it’s normal for a guy to feel uncomfortable when he see or hears that his girlfriend is kissing another guy so I understand that.”
To deal with the matter, Villania reveals that Arellano now sleeps earlier than usual in order to avoid seeing her in sexy scenes on TV.
Villania explained, “Alam naman niya [what he would see] so bakit niya ilalagay ang sarili niya sa uncomfortable situation?”
Villania insists, however, that accepting the series, as with the calendar project, are moves meant to further her career and not to infuriate her boyfriend of seven years.
“It actually gave me that sense of fulfillment of enjoying acting, the enjoyment of playing a different character, of being someone very different from who you really are,” she said.
She insists that she can’t and won’t avoid roles or projects just because it is uncomfortable for Arellano.
“I don’t think it’s something that I can dictate. If there are opportunities, I’ll do my thing, I’ll do my best.”
As such, Villania said she is more than thankful that Arellano is supportive as usual with the new direction she is taking.
“He wants to let me make my own decision because I’m discovering more about myself. And I’m becoming a stronger and better person.”
It helps of course that the sweethearts have already built strong groundwork pertaining to their relationship.
Testament to their strong bond, says Villania, is how they remain steadfast with each other despite their respective morning shows “Unang Hirit” and “Umagang Kay Ganda” or “UKG” compete directly each other.
“Actually excited siya for me because it’s something new. He’s been with 'Unang Hirit' for how many years, college pa lang ako. Excited kami to experience that [going up against each other].” (report from Neil Ramos, Manila Bulletin)
