Jose Sarasola on working with Iya Villania: 'She brightens up the set'

Jose Sarasola was all praise for his co-host Iya Villania as they embarked on the third season of their well-loved cooking show, Eat Well, Live Well. Stay Well.

“It's been amazing working with Iya. I couldn't have picked a better co-host. She's super fun. Super kwela, super kalog, and super funny…She brightens up the set with whatever she does - sa mga hirit niya, mga sayaw niya while on set. She's amazing to work with. I can't say anything [bad] about Iya. She's been amazing,” he said in an exclusive interview with GMANetwork.com.

The celebrity chef added that while Iya learns from his skills in cooking, he also picks up a lot of value-adding lessons from her expertise in hosting and entertaining. “She's been hosting for a very long time. Now, she's trying something different sa kitchen and she's really doing well, even trying to do 'yong mga recipes na ginagawa namin for the past three seasons sa bahay niya, for her kids [and] for Drew…It's both sides eh. Tulungan kami so yeah, it's been fun. I'm really enjoying [it].”

Jose also reinforced the show's firm commitment to introducing simple, delicious, and healthy recipes to the Kapuso audience. Their latest season, however, took into consideration the budget constraints of many Filipino families during the pandemic, shifting the spotlight to more affordable and easy-to-do dishes at home.

“We're really showing 'yong mga recipes na kayang kaya niyo gawin sa mga bahay niyo. Hindi mahal 'yong mga ingredients. Hindi mahirap hanapin since, of course, pandemic nga so tipid tayong lahat. These recipes are very fun and easy to do. They're very basic but may twist ng kaunti…to make it more enjoyable for the family,” he said.

Jose signed with Sparkle GMA Artist Center in June last year. Outside the spheres of showbiz, the Kapuso star also manages his own restaurant bar in BF Homes, Parañaque City. He joins the likes of Dingdong Dantes, Marian Rivera, Alden Richards, and other celebrities who have similarly endeavored their respective businesses.