“GMA, thank you so much. The honor is mine that I am still a Kapuso.”

Kapuso actress and showbiz anchor Iya Villania-Arellano has inked another contract with leading broadcast company GMA Network on Tuesday, September 24.

The contract turns a new chapter in an ongoing 10-year career as a Kapuso artist— something Iya considers “a blessing.”

During her signing event on Tuesday, the entertainment host said that she is deeply honoured to still be part of the Kapuso family, and thanked the network for the “blessing to do my work while being a mother and while being pregnant.”

Present during the ceremony were Senior Vice President for GMA Integrated News, Regional TV, and Synergy Oliver Victor B. Amoroso; Senior Vice President for GMA Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable; and Vice President for Musical Variety, Specials and Alternative Productions for Entertainment Group Gigi Santiago-Lara.

“I am so happy with how you evolved from the actress and now the anchor that you are for the number one news program in the country— you are part of this family… Your entertainment family is also here and we are so proud of you,” said GMA Vice President Gigi Santiago-Lara.

Boy Abunda, Iya’s manager, was in attendance to support the “Chika Minute” anchor.

“Keep going, keep moving. Keep searching because you are getting better not just as an entertainment newscaster but as a woman, as a mother. You just make me proud,” said Abunda.

Reflecting on what has been a very productive and fulfilling GMA stint, Iya doffed her and turned the spotlight on the esteemed entertainment news correspondents of GMA Integrated News.

“I am only reading the intro of the people who do the real work in ‘Chika Minute’— sila Aubrey (Carampel), Nelson (Canlas), TIto Lhar (Santiago)— so I also wanna give them all the credit kasi kung wala sila, wala akong ichichika,” said Villania, who’s been the designated showbiz anchor via *24 Oras’ “*Chika Minute” since 2015.

“I know that it really is just how God has been working in my life and the blessing is something I just have to make the most out of. Now that it is here, i can only hope and pray that I continue to bring joy to the people around me and be a blessing,” she added.

Also gracing the event were other network executives: Grace dela Peña-Reyes, Michelle Seva, John Ray Arrabe, and Antonio Magsumbol.