Nagsimula na last July 2 ang second season ng 10-minute cooking show na Eat Well, Live Well, Stay Well sa GMA-7 hosted by Iya Villania-Arellano and Chef Jose Sarasola.
Sa naturang weekly cooking show, na nagkaroon ng Zoom mediacon last June 25, sinabi ni Iya na mas marami siyang natutunang bagong techniques sa pagluluto, especially ngayong lumalaki na ang pamilya nila ng mister niyang si Drew Arellano.
"I have definitely become so much more confident and comfortable being in the kitchen.
"Dati, parang nagpo-procrastinate pa ako. Parang nakakatamad.
"Now, it's such a joy to be in the kitchen even if I don't know or have nothing exactly prepared, I look forward to experimenting.
"Ganoon na kalakas ang loob ko. I'm not afraid to veer away from the recipe and to experiment and try something new," sabi ni Iya.
Nakatulong din daw sa pag-e-experiment ni Iya sa pagluto ang paghu-host niya ng Mars Pa More at dati sa Taste Buddies.
BUDGET-FRIENDLY RECIPES
Bilang isang certified chef, challenge pa rin daw kay Chef Jose ang makapag-imbento siya ng iba't ibang dishes gamit ang mga budget-friendly recipes na pinu-provide ng show nila.
"For me, finding out these recipes na sobrang sarap and sobrang dali na kayang-kaya nating gawin sa bahay natin.
"As a chef, I've tried cooking different kinds of recipes and food. With these recipes that we're learning sa Aji, parang sobrang sarap niya.
"My grandma asked for the recipe, my family, my friends. May mga nagdi-DM sa akin sa Instagram na chef ang galing napanood ko yung recipe.
"I think people really appreciate these recipes kasi sobrang dali niyang gawin and of course it's really budget-friendly. Hindi na kailangang lagyan ng twist kasi sa recipes pa lang, panalo na.
"As a chef, it's a continuous learning process. Even being a chef, I still learn new things and new combination of different ingredients when I cook.
"It's been a fun experience so far, two seasons, and we're really just enjoying new things together."
FROM ACTRESS TO TV HOST
Tinanong si Iya kung masaya siya sa career path niya ngayon.
Inamin ni Iya na never niyang naisip na magiging TV host siya nang subukan niyang pasukin ang entertainment industry noong 2002.
Saad niya, "I am very happy with this career path. I'm very, very happy.
"It's funny because, you know, when I entered the industry, I never intended for it to be a career of mine.
"I really want to be a singer and a dancer. But, sabi ni Lord, 'Hindi 'yan para sa 'yo!' And led me to this.
"I love it and I really feel so lucky and so blessed to be here and still be enjoying what I am doing.
"I still would like to act in a teleserye when given the opportunity, when given the right opportunity. It's definitely something I would still do."
Bago na ma-discover ang hosting skills ni Iya, naging artista siya sa GMA-7 at lumabas sa mga show na Click, Kahit Kailan, SOP Gigsters, at Walang Hanggan.
Lumipat siya sa ABS-CBN in 2004 at napanood sa mga programang ASAP Fanatic, Season of Love, Pedro Penduko, Your Song, Love Spell, Lastikman, U Can Dance, Kristine, It's Showtime, Apoy Sa Dagat, at Umagang Kayganda.
Bumalik si Iya sa GMA in 2014 at dito na siya binigyan ng maraming hosting jobs via Sunday All Stars, Taste Buddies, Ang Pinaka, Home Foodie, MARS Pa More, Lip Sync Battle Philippines, at ang "Chika Minute" segment ng 24 Oras.
Lumabas din siya sa mga teleseryeng Because of You at My Korean Jagiya.
From 2004 to 2009, napabilang si Iya sa mga pelikulang Beautiful Life, Aishite Imasu 1941: Mahal Kita, Exodus: Tales From The Enchanted Kingdom, Pamahiin, Paano Kita Iibigin, When I Met U, at Shake, Rattle & Roll 11.
FROM ACTOR TO CHEF
Kuwento naman ni Chef Jose, mas nakilala siya noon sa ABS-CBN as an actor after niyang unang lumabas as a contestant sa reality competition show na Pinoy Fear Factor noong 2008.
Culinary arts student si Jose noong sumali siya sa show. Dream daw niya talaga ang maging celebrity chef.
“I was more of an actor talaga there, and they never really utilized me as a chef doon sa kabila. But now, here with GMA talagang pinu-push nila yung chef career ko, which I really, personally want din talaga.
"My main is goal is to be a celebrity chef talaga na, well-known celebrity chef. That's why I moved to GMA Artist Center, and I think yung plan talaga nila Ms. Tracy [Garcia] for me is to push yung pagka-chef ko talaga.
"Kasi mas nagki-cater yung career path ko dito sa GMA because of the shows, there's more culinary shows or lifestyle shows which I really want to do.
"I was so grateful for all the work that came in. In terms of, like from Unang Hirit, to Ajinomoto, to guestings on other shows. I really don’t take it for granted.
“Naa-appreciate ko yung trust na binigay sa akin. It’s really a blessing talaga na nakalipat ako dito, and I am being treated very well. And everyone’s been super nice.
"And, the blessings kept on coming, so I am really grateful po for all the work and what’s happening sa life ko ngayon."
Open pa rin naman daw si Chef Jose na umarte sa isang teleserye.
"Same with Iya, if there's an offer naman for a teleserye and do a show I am willing to do it naman because I've also just finished doing workshops with Ana Feleo so I did two sessions with her in the acting workshop.
"If it's the right role that comes my way, I don't mind acting pa rin po."
Ilan sa mga naging acting credentials ni Chef Jose ay sa mga teleseryeng Idol, Kristine, Alyna, Guns & Roses, Kapitan Awesome, Kahit Puso'y Masugutan, My Little Juan, Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin, Maria Mercedes, Mirabella, at FPJ's Ang Probinsyano.
Ginawa rin niya ang mga pelikulang Babe, I Love You, One More Try, Aswang, Bakit Hindi Ka Crush Ng Crush Mo?, at That Thing Called Tanga Na.