Like dawn over a calm sea, Iya Villania’s journey from pop star to powerful parent didn’t happen overnight. She is well-known throughout the Philippines for her lively enthusiasm and skillful hosting, but she has quietly moved her focus to something very human: motherhood. And with five children who have distinct personalities, that change has been remarkably obvious in its purpose and profoundly significant in its effects.
Iya had already embraced an identity that was refreshingly rooted in presence by the time baby number five arrived in 2025. In an emotional interview with Smart Parenting, she reflected on the birth of her daughter Anya Love and admitted, “That’s the end of that chapter.” Her remarks had an impact that went well beyond the screen; they were comfortingly familiar to mothers who have balanced ambition, fatigue, and the great joy of just making room for their kids.
Iya Villania: Bio and Family Profile
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Raelene Elaine Villania-Arellano |
| Birthdate | June 29, 1986 |
| Nationality | Filipino-Australian |
| Spouse | Drew Arellano (married in 2014) , Instagram |
| Children | Antonio Primo (2016), Alonzo Leon (2018), Alana Lauren (2020), Astro Phoenix (2022), Anya Love (2025) |
| Profession | Singer, Actress, Host, Dancer, Model |
| Current Focus | Family, Health, Parenting Advocacy |
| Reference | Smart Parenting |
One unwavering core of strength, five births, and five journeys
Iya recalled the physical and emotional relief that came with Antonio Primo’s arrival in 2016. Comparing it to a spiritual rebirth, she recalled honestly, “I didn’t know what to expect.” Her tone, which is particularly introspective, alludes to the vulnerable transition that many new mothers go through—a process of grounding that makes priorities clear in a few intense hours.
Iya was more experienced but still nervous when she gave birth to Alonzo Leon in 2018. There was high-stakes uncertainty surrounding the birth because the baby had passed meconium in utero. Her delivery, however, was incredibly fluid. “No episiotomy. Not an emergency. “Just relief,” she said, highlighting how, with the correct support network in place, childbirth can frequently be surprisingly manageable despite its unpredictability.
Anya, Alana, and Astro: A Triumph of Grace and Self-Belief
In 2020, she welcomed Alana Lauren, her third child, with a unique sense of fulfillment. Iya joked, “May babae na ako,” with the obvious delight of a mother whose wish had at last been fulfilled. This was a celebration of symmetry and the sense that her family was coming together, not just about gender parity.
The birth of Astro Phoenix in 2022 was both physically demanding and spiritually uplifting. Iya had her first natural labor experience with Astro, who was delivered without the use of an epidural; she compared the experience to Primo’s but said it was “louder in every way.” The dichotomy of suffering and empowerment, closely entwined, is a sentiment that mothers everywhere can relate to.
Then Anya Love appeared. Anya, who was born at the beginning of 2025, was Iya’s emotional peak. “So much happiness,” she thought. “I am so grateful.” As though to close a chapter that had been equal parts amazing and exhausting, her tone changed from one of celebration to one of sanctity. Iya made Anya’s birth a symbolic turning point by announcing that this was her last pregnancy and that Drew had had a vasectomy. Peace punctuated a full stop.
The Emphasis on Faith, Family, and Fierce Honesty
Iya Villania is not only sharing significant events through her open storytelling, but she is also rewriting the rules for what it means to be a modern celebrity mother. She successfully avoids the oversharing temptations of the influencer era while upholding her public persona and her family’s dignity. Rather, she provides carefully chosen glimpses that are based on authenticity rather than show.
Her values as a parent are still shaped by her strong Christian faith. Iya encourages self-worth and intentionality, having been raised in the Seventh-day Adventist Church and being outspoken about abstinence prior to marriage. She doesn’t want to preach because her values are subtly incorporated into her daily life and show up as incredibly powerful life lessons for her kids.
A Home Based on Peace, Comedy, and Sincere Discussions
Iya and Drew work together to establish a familyrhythm that seems especially resilient. She considers the chaos of having five young children, but she doesn’t present it as a hardship. She merely assists in setting the tempo, and each child contributes a distinct sound, making it more akin to conducting a symphony. Yes, there are meltdowns, but there are also birthday breakfasts, late-night diaper duty that turns into a dance party, and laughter that reverberates through the hallways.
They have also persevered through group difficulties. The whole family tested positive for COVID-19 in January 2022. Their response was composed, comforting, and remarkably open, demonstrating that resilience can be incorporated into a child’s emotional toolkit when it is clearly modeled.
