It has not been a month since RnB singer Kyla and Philippine Basketball Association power forward Rich Alvarez were wed.
On a set visit to GMA Network's new weekday cooking program, Kusina Master, last December 21, Tuesday, the soulful singer was thrilled to be under the tutelage of the program's host, Chef Pablo "Boy" Lagro.
The 15-minute gastronomic show will feature a celebrity-student every week starting January 2, 2012, and Kyla is up for the challenge.
The blooming 30-year-old is eager to make the most out of the experience, considering that cooking for her husband is something new to her.
"Ngayon kasi, naglulutu-lutuan ako sa bahay," tells Kyla, warmth radiating in her smile.
"Kaya nga tuwang-tuwa ako nung sinabi nilang mage-guesting ako dito, e.
"Sabi ko, 'Uy, sige, para madagdagan naman yung niluluto ko.' Kasi mahilig kumain si Rich, e. Mahilig siya sa food!"
After a solid six-year relationship with Rich, who plays for the PBA's Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters, Kyla and the court heartthrob said their vows last November 28.
While her happiness is obvious, the chanteuse expresses it: "Masaya! Free na free!"
Apart from settling down with the man she loves, Kyla cherishes her new found independence.
She laughs and says, "Mommy-free! Walang curfew! Oo noh, alas diyes kaya yung curfew ko. [Kapag] alas diyes dati, kailangan asa bahay na ako!"
Ever since the newly hitched Kyla and Rich moved to their new home in Loyola Grand Villas in Quezon City, Kyla has been attempting to master basic Filipino viands—menudo, bistek (or the Pinoy version of beef steak), and asado.
Adobo, naturally, tops the list of staple dishes. Kyla concocts it so that she can call the recipe her own.
"Nilalagyan ko ng chili yung adobo ko, e.
"Hindi naman po siya ganun kaanghang. 'Pag nilagyan mo siya ng chili, parang may ibang flavor. Mas masarap! Yun lang yung alam ko. kasi yun yung madali, e!
Kyla does not deny that her cooking skills are limited, for now: "Yung madali lang. Yung mga toyo-toyo lang, gisa-gisa. Spaghetti, yan!"
ON BEING A MOTHER. Having their own kids does not elude the plans of Kyla and Rich, who will tour Europe on June 2012.
"May time pa kami mag-ipon ng konti pa," says Kyla who also mentions that the trip will serve as their honeymoon.
Asked if she and Rich ever discuss how many kids they wish to have, the soft-spoken morena replies, "Well, sa amin, gusto naming dalawa lang, boy and girl. Kung makaka-boy and girl agad, okay na yun!"
If given the chance to choose the gender of her future first-born child, Kyla says she would want to have a girl.
"Gusto ko, siguro, babae para madamitan ko siya. Mahilig kasi ako sa mga bata. Gusto kong dinadamitan yung mga bata.
"Pag lalaki, si Rich na yun agad. Gusto ko, ako muna yung mag-dress up!"
Kyla lightens up at the mention of having twins, "E, mas masaya po. Gusto ko kambal! Para dalawa na kaagad, di ba? Tapos isang beses mo lang siya ilalabas. Go na!"
The thought of having children does not worry Kyla, who says she really loves children.
"E, una kasi, mahilig ako sa bata, e. Gusto ko yung nag-aalaga ng bata. Parang natural siya sa akin, ayun!"
She adds, "Kasi may mga pamangkin ako na sobrang love na love ko. So parang na-praktisan ko na silang maalagaan."
2012 CAREER PLANS. "Next year gagawa na kami ulit ng album. Excited na ako dun!"
It seems that the singer-songwriter intends to work on her ninth album in 2012. Kyla's last album, Private Affair,was released last May.
"Hindi ko pa alam kasi magsa-start pa lang ako magsulat ulit... Gusto ko kasi, ang wish ko para sa bago kong album, gusto ko maka-gather ng mga kantang worth listening to, saka yung magiging proud na proud ako."
While she has yet to discuss her ideas with recording company PolyEast, Kyla seems bent on including the song that international RnB singer Bryan McKnight composed for her.
"Siguro isasama ko dun yung ginawa ni Bryan McKnight," says Kyla.
"Di ba, gumawa siya ng kanta? Isasama ko yun sa album.
"Kinanta ko na po yung ginawa niyang kanta para sa amin ni Rich, In My Heart."
The male singer-songwriter, famous for the hit singles "Back at One" and "One Last Cry," got in touch with Kyla through the social networking site Twitter.
"Hindi ko po siya kaibigan, hindi ko siya nakatrabaho. Nakilala ko lang siya sa Twitter, tinweet niya ako. Di ba ang saya-saya?"
Expressing her thrill over the matter, Kyla leaves one in suspense: "Gawin natin 'yun. Next year, next year. Pero siguro hindi ako dito magre-record."