Iya Villania

One of the freshest faces to grace the local showbiz and modeling industry, IYA, now is embarking on a singing career too. Not content with being just an actress, game jock, TV host, model and VJ, Iya is set to take the music industry by storm with the release of her upcoming album from Viva Records.

A natural, Iya took to singing professionally at an early age. She was inspired and influenced by her dad’s fondness for karaoke. At 13, she has fronted such stellar Filipino acts like Pop Fernandez, Martin Nievera, the APO and Jaya in her hometown of Sydney, Australia. She came to the Philippines in 2002 and her career began in full swing.

She started with modeling endorsements for Kolours and Coca Cola and eventually bagged the game jock hosting gig for Game Channel. This ground breaking TV show won IYA a generation of gamers fans and established here as the ultimate “G. J.” – Game Jock.

Acting was the next step, Iya landed a slot in the critically acclaimed youth show, CLICK. She was then noticed by director Ruel Bayani who hand picked her to be part of the afternoon soap opera “Walang Hanggan” over GMA 7. Her endorsement poured on and pretty soon she was seen as the “G-Girl” in the Globe TV commercial and as the bargirl with the edge in the Lux Shampoo TV Commercial. She went on to become a house model for Jag Jeans, Kirin Kirin Fashion Boutique, Sari-Sari, Skechers and Karimadon.

Realizing Iya’s star would shine brighter, Bench the number one apparel company quickly signed her up to be a Her Bench endorser as well as the face for Bench Fix Salon. Similarly, Modess also signed up Iya to be their latest image model.

Iya was also in the movie “Pamahiin” a horror thriller by Rahyan Carlos. She stars opposite Dennis Trillio and the movie is a major box office hit. She was also picked by Sun Cellular to be their latest endorser. Her Sun cellular TVC was written by multi Araw Award winning creative director, Ms. Ompong Remigio.

Iya went on to conquer Sunday nigh TV with of her show airing back to back on Studio 23 and ABS CBN. On Studio 23 she joins Angel Aquino and Chesca Garcia and on ABS CBN 2 she is paired up with Derek Ramsey in “U Can Dance!” Iya is “Yelena”. Leading lady of Vhong Navarro in fanta-serye “Lastikman.”

Iya is also the new ambassadress for Dangerous Drugs Board, an anti- drug campaign with the theme “Kabarkada laban sa droga”

For the year 2008, Iya begins a new chapter of her life with the release of her forthcoming debut album. The album boasts of stellar guest talents like: Hale, Manuel Lagarda of Wolgang, Mike and Angelo Villegas of Rizal Underground, Arnie Mendaros, and Miguel Escueta. Iya will also star in a yet to be titled tele-serye and is also preparing for the next season “U Can Dance,” after she finishes with hosting stint for “Time to Shine.”

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Photographers: ASH CASTRO and APY AREVALO