Drew Arellano: The baby can wait

MANILA, Philippines - Drew Arellano is everywhere, at least in the Kapuso Network shows. He and his co-hosts jumpstart viewers’ days in Unang Hirit. He urges them to go see the Philippines in Byahe ni Drew.  

He smiles at EDSA motorists who crawl past his billboard at the height of rush-hour traffic.

As if that’s not enough, Drew shows another side of him in San Miguel Pure Foods’ Home Foodie, that airs weekdays after Unang Hirit. Starting tomorrow, Aug. 15, it will also air within GMA News TV’s Balitanghali on Saturdays and Sundays.

You’d think Drew the cooking show host is a kitchen whiz. Actually, the guy admits, he’s average in the kitchen.

True, he used to cook when he was living solo, or before he married Iya Villania. But that was out of necessity, not out of passion.

That’s why Drew believes men who are not exactly kitchen kings can learn a lot from his new show. They’re foodies like him. 

And like Drew, this doesn’t stop them from becoming more than food consumers. They can — lack of experience notwithstanding — be creators of yummy dishes.

Drew plans to show them how to do it by whipping up dishes that are “masarap, masustansiya at kayang-kaya” every single morning, on air.

After he tucks away his apron somewhere in the studio,  Drew plans to rush straight home where his wife of one-and-a-half-years is waiting. Now’s the time to enjoy life with “my best friend and my lover.”

“How we think as a couple is, if we wanna do it, we’re gonna do it. We live for the moment,” the happy husband says.

Yes, Drew and Iya do make plans. But they don’t think too far ahead to the point that they take the joy out of today.

They live it up together. Drew and Iya, travel together, cook together, grow together.

“Work doesn’t own us. We have ample time for both of us. I have ample time for myself, for my work. I’m so proud we have a balanced life,” crows Drew.

He and Iya follow this 9 p.m. rule. No matter how busy they are, Drew and Iya leave work behind and head straight home.

“She goes home after Chika Minute (Iya’s showbiz-oriented segment in the GMA 7 current events program 24 Oras), or I fetch her there. (Sometimes), they’re done by 7:30 p.m.,” relates Drew.

The couple loves sleeping early and rising before the sun does.

This early morning habit is a sign that they’re so excited to do a lot of things — individually and as a twosome.

Drew builds stamina by swimming and/or running, with Iya, or on his own.

“Dapat may me time ka. Sobrang importante yon. Time for yourself is very healthy.”

One time, he whipped up his specialty: Curry chicken, which he cooked after following instructions from the Net.

Iya would return the gesture by surprising Drew with her own labor of love: A sandwich.

The love offering pleased Drew so much because he knows it’s Iya’s way of proving she’d try untested waters for his sake.

“It’s a matter of being creative. We keep on trying,” states Drew.

Speaking of trying, Drew reveals that he and his wife will take a shot at parenting next year.

“We hope God will bless us with a child,” Drew thinks out loud.

So far, his own experience with children is vicarious. His Unang Hirit friends regale him with stories about their own children.

Drew also bonds with his little nephews and nieces. 

But there’s no substitute for the feel of your own child tugging at your sleeves, or asking you to go out and play with him.

Drew figures it would be great to apply the lessons he learned from parents and from his relatives — to his own children someday.

But he and Iya don’t mind waiting, They’re  enjoying every minute of their married life.

“We wanna take advantage of this just you-and-me life we have. We can do other stuff later. Darating din tayo diyan,” Drew explains.

And he flashes that wide, wide smile only a man happy with life — and love — can show.