Drew Arellano On Staying Home: 'It Made Me A Better Father And Husband'

Everyone’s staying at home because of the lockdown restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. New girl dad Drew Arellano sees the silver lining in all of it. 

“The effect of quarantine... it made me better in terms of being a father and husband,” Drew told the Inquirer via video conference.

Drew is thankful for being able to spend more quality time with the kids. Their sons Primo, Leon, and newborn daughter Alana, give him and wife Iya Villania “so much happiness every single day.”

“I grew up thinking that family should be the top priority. Work is second. That has always been my mindset. And this is something I want to do even after things return to normal,” he stressed. 

The dad of three, however, admitted it’s been a significant adjustment for him. Two days a week, Drew used to shoot for his travel show Byahe ni Drew. 

“I miss the sea, submerging myself, and tasting salt. We shoot two days a week, and I miss waking up at 5 a.m. and experiencing the serenity alone,” the TV host said. “But spending [time with] my family trumps that feeling,” he stressed.

One other effect of the quarantine, Drew jokes, is that it forced him and Iya to declutter, organize, and clean the rooms. Since they’re both working at home, they need to turn one of their rooms into a makeshift studio. He previously publicly thanked his wife for helping him clean and organize his office. 

The showbiz industry is one of the sectors worst hit by the pandemic. Drew, who currently hosts GMA News TV’s lifestyle segment “Family Time” of the show “New Normal: The Survival Guide” admires fellow celebrities creating new opportunities and ways to earn. 

The family man says everyone needs to adjust and pivot with the times, even if it also means scaling down their lifestyle. He is prepared to hustle for his family. (Click here to read how Drew and their family are staying afloat amidst the pandemic.)