Iya Villania-Arellano firmly believes in the old proverb that the parent is the child’s first teacher.

But she also thinks that the converse is true— that, not only as a mom but as a person, she’s been learning a lot from Primo, Leon, Alana, and Astro.

“They are also teaching me a lot everyday. I love that having children has also made me a lot more conscious about who I am,” said the “Chika Minute” anchor during an interview with GMA Regional TV News.

Iya, who just renewed her ties with GMA Network last September 24, gave birth to her first-born, Primo, in 2016.

She and Drew have a second and a third and a fourth child since: Leon in 2018, Alana in 2020, and Astro in 2022.

LEARNING FROM THE ARELLANO KIDS
The Kapuso entertainment anchor said that mothering her four kids—now going five— has come with the non-negotiable responsibility of being their first ‘influencer.’

And Iya is enjoying every bit of the process, especially insofar as changing parts of her lifestyle for the better as she fulfills her parenting goals.

"I am also learning from them, especially towards other people. Because I see how much they pick up from me,” shared Iya, who admitted that she has become a lot more conscious of her actions since becoming a parent.

In fact, as young as her kids are, she already considers her relationship with them a two-way affair.

“It really helps me want to become a better person every day not just for the sake of myself but for the sake of my children. Because I really pray that it helps mold them to be better people,” she said.

“They’ve taught me to be flexible. Kung dati meron akong kailangan gawin, but at that moment I feel like it’s more important that I’m with the kids— I’ve learned to adjust,” the 38-year-old Kapuso host added.

INFLUENCING THE ARELLANO KIDS
Iya knows very well the kind of influence she has over her children’s behaviour and understanding of the world.

“… because you’re (parents) with them all the time. What they see you do and how they see you speak— the way you behave and treat others— it’s what they pick up. Whether you realize that you’re teaching them or not, they learn it from you,” she noted.

Asked what Primo, Leon, Alana, and Astro have copied from her and Drew, Iya suggests it’s the natural way of being expressive and emotionally affectionate.

“I’d like to think I’ve taught them to be loving and affectionate… because they see how affectionate Drew and I are. They often like to tell me or Drew ‘I love you Mama!’ Even the way I see them treat each other… I like to believe it’s what they have learned from us.”

IYA VILLANIA-ARELLANO STILL A KAPUSO

The long-time anchor of 24 Oras segment “Chika Minute” inked another contract with GMA Network on Tuesday, September 24.

The contract turned a new chapter in an ongoing 10-year career as a Kapuso artist— something Iya considers “a blessing.”