Sometimes, love needs a pause.
A quiet escape.
A moment to breathe.
For Iya Villania and Drew Arellano, that moment came in the peaceful town of Hakone, Japan — where they marked their 12th wedding anniversary with a much-needed couple’s trip.
Just the two of them.
“Anywhere and Everywhere With This One”
The Kapuso couple shared glimpses of their trip through a joint Instagram post — soft smiles, scenic views, and the kind of laughter that only comes from years of shared memories.
“Anywhere and everywhere with this one,” Iya wrote.
Twelve years of marriage, she said, felt like the perfect reason to enjoy some rare one-on-one time.
And with five kids waiting back home, rare is the right word.
Love That Grew Up Together
Their story didn’t start 12 years ago.
It started much earlier.
Ten years as boyfriend and girlfriend.
Twelve years as husband and wife.
Five children.
And countless life-changing decisions made side by side.
“Some major grown-up decisions we’ve had to make together,” Iya shared. “I love us so much.”
It’s not just romance.
It’s partnership.
Commitment.
Choosing each other — again and again.
A Family of Seven
Drew and Iya tied the knot in January 2014, but they’ve been together since 2004 — more than two decades of growing up together.
Today, they are parents to five children: Primo, Leon, Alana, Astro, and Anya.
Life at home is loud. Busy. Beautifully chaotic.
Which is why this quiet escape to Japan meant even more.
Real Conversations, Real Choices
Their journey hasn’t just been about anniversaries and milestones.
In recent years, Drew made headlines after openly sharing that he underwent a vasectomy — a minor surgical procedure for male birth control. He first opened up about the decision in 2023, and it sparked conversations nationwide.
His honesty was widely praised, even earning commendation from the Commission on Population and Development.
It was another example of the couple facing life’s big decisions — together.
Still Choosing Each Other
In Hakone, far from the noise of everyday life, Iya and Drew reminded everyone what lasting love looks like.
It’s not always grand.
Sometimes, it’s simply sitting beside each other, grateful for how far you’ve come.
Ten years dating.
Twelve years married.
Five kids.
And still choosing “anywhere and everywhere” — as long as they’re together.
