Drew Arellano opened up about his life as a father of five, sharing candid stories about raising a big family in a recent interview with Bernadette Sembrano.
The television host admitted that having five children was something he and his wife, Iya Villania, never expected.
"Five children, you know what it's funny that we never really expected that we would have five kids," he admitted. "We love kids, don't get me wrong. But the last two, hindi planado yan. Kaya nagpa-snip-snip (vasectomy) na tayo di ba? Pero what a blessing. What a blessing. Super. Lalo na nakikita namin growing up, and how when they wake up meron na silang kalaro," he said.
When asked to describe each of his kids, Drew relayed: "Each kid will have a different personality. Primo the eldest, 9 years old, ano yan he is so into dancing now. G-Force. He is the overthinker but he is such a follower."
He went on: "Pangalawa ko naman [si Leon], you know it's always the number 2, right?.. He is super lively. Everyone is. Of course Duday is our five-year-old daughter, very malambing, very, 'What can I do for you kuya? I made something for you papa.' Super loveable. And of course our three-year-old son, si Astro, si Duduy, he is now whatever he watches he needs to replicate. Kung anong lalabas [sa TV] magco-costume siya, ganyan. Of course our nine-month-old baby, [Anya] is still a baby but loved by everybody."
Asked whether he has apprehensions about raising kids in a complicated world today, Drew said he remains hopeful. "Generally, I think we are still safe. I've been to not safe places and we are okay, we're okay. And it really depends on what you expose them, di ba? They have their game time [with gadgets] Friday, Saturday one hour but yeah that's pretty much it. "
Drew added that they make sure their children grow up active and exposed to different sports and outdoor activities.
"If we have the chance to go outdoor definitely... They enjoy building. We expose them to sports, of course. Dahil alam mo naman kami ni misis talang mahilig sa sports so maganda 'yung foundation ng gymnastics, nag-karate dun, nag-taekwondo, obstacle course racing," he said. "They learn so many things, they meet new friends."