Drew and Iya Arellano Open Up About Family, Finances and the Future
Strength is often measured by what people can endure—a resilient exterior, a demanding lifestyle, or the ability to keep moving forward despite life’s challenges. Yet some of the most meaningful forms of strength are not always visible.
Widely regarded as one of the Philippines’ most admired celebrity couples and BPI AIA brand ambassadors, Drew and Iya Arellano are known for their active lifestyles, strong family values, and relatable approach to parenthood. As parents to five children, they have inspired many Filipinos through their commitment to health, partnership, and intentional family living, making them powerful voices for BPI AIA’s Rethink Healthy movement.
Finding Balance Together: Putting Ego Aside
Rethink Healthy has given Drew and Iya a broader perspective on what it means to live well, expanding the definition of health beyond physical wellness to include emotional well-being, meaningful connections, and long-term security.
For the couple, this shift in perspective has also transformed how they view strength in their everyday lives.
Redefining strength began with letting go of the expectation that they had to carry everything on their own. Raising five children while managing demanding careers meant moving beyond individual endurance and embracing a genuine, ego-free partnership.
“I used to think being strong meant doing everything myself. Now I know it means tapping out when I need to and letting Iya take over without my ego getting in the way,” Drew reflects.
Iya shares how their dynamic has evolved over time: “Being strong used to be about being able to successfully take on a whole load not just physically, but also emotionally and mentally. But as a couple raising children, we’ve found greater strength in putting our egos aside—work together and complement each other by stepping in when the other isn’t at their best.”
Protecting Peace amid Daily Chaos
Behind the highlights shared on social media, staying emotionally grounded takes deliberate effort in their everyday lives. Drew notes that their days are less about picture-perfect moments and more about navigating the seemingly endless demands of running a household. To stay centered, they intentionally carve out simple rituals, such as squeezing in a quick workout or enjoying coffee before the entire household wakes up.
For Iya, showing up for themselves begins with honest self-awareness.
“It means recognizing when we’re lacking in an area and actually doing something about it—could be sleep, eating, or just making sure Drew and I are in sync,” she says.
The couple also makes a conscious effort to protect each other’s emotional peace. Drew trusts Iya to point out when something feels off so they can address it together, while Iya emphasizes the importance of giving each other space to decompress—whether through a walk, a game of golf, or simply having quiet time.
From Bahala Na to Intentional Planning
Another important part of staying strong for their family’s future is moving from simply “hoping for the best” to actively preparing for what lies ahead.
This mindset reflects a key finding from AIA’s 2026 Rethink Healthy study, which found that Filipinos are shifting from a “Bahala Na” mindset toward a more proactive “Handa Na” approach, taking deliberate steps to safeguard their health, finances, and future.
“With five kids, ‘we’ll figure it out’ stopped being a plan a long time ago—it became a math problem. It means actually sitting down and talking about savings, insurance, and what happens to the kids’ education and our family’s stability if something unexpected happens to either of us. Not the sexiest date-night conversation, but a necessary one,” Drew shares.
For Iya, this strategic approach is a fundamental expression of care.
“Intentional planning is really an act of care and love. And once you start building a family, everything you work for automatically has more meaning and value, and protecting that means being wise with our current income and savings, and doing our best to set ourselves up for the future,” she says.
Through their partnership with BPI AIA, Drew and Iya have come to see financial preparedness as more than simply building savings. It is about protecting their family’s future through solutions that help them prepare for life’s uncertainties, including unexpected health challenges that could affect their children who depend on them most.
For the couple, having a solid protection plan in place provides peace of mind, allowing them to spend less time worrying about the “what-ifs” and more time being present for the moments that matter. Drew likens financial planning to doing laundry: once it is taken care of, they are free to be fully present for school programs and chaotic Tuesday nights.
As Iya adds, “Knowing the future is taken care of frees us up to be fully present today, instead of planning and worrying at the same time.”
Building a Future as Full Partners in Every Step
Drew and Iya believe long-term security should be a shared responsibility, with both partners taking an active role in leading important family decisions.
Iya encourages women to participate fully in these conversations.
“I want more women to sit at the table for these conversations—to understand our family’s finances, to have a say in our protection plans, to know exactly where things stand. It’s not about distrust, it’s about ownership. Our security is a shared responsibility, and we should feel just as empowered to lead those conversations as anyone else in the family,” she says.
Drew reinforces the message for fathers, offering a different perspective on what it means to lead:
“Real strength isn’t about being the toughest guy in the room… It’s about being the most prepared one. The best thing I can do for my family isn’t a grand gesture—it’s the unglamorous work of putting protection in place, having the hard money conversations early, and then actually showing up, fully, for the everyday chaos once that’s done.”
Through their continued journey with BPI AIA, Drew and Iya demonstrate that true strength goes far beyond physical fitness. It can be found in the everyday choices to care for one’s health, nurture meaningful relationships, and prepare for life’s uncertainties.
As parents of five, they understand that wellness is not simply about staying active today. It is also about protecting the future they are building together as a family.
As Rethink Healthy promotes a holistic approach to health encompassing physical, mental, and financial well-being through life and health insurance solutions, BPI AIA helps Filipinos protect what matters most and face the future with greater confidence.
To learn more about how BPI AIA can help you build a healthier, more secure future, visit the BPI AIA website.
The views expressed are those of the brand ambassadors and should not be construed as guarantees of product performance or customer outcomes.
