STRENGTH is often measured by what people can endure: a resilient exterior, a busy lifestyle, or the ability to keep going despite life’s demands. Yet some of the most important forms of strength are less visible.
Widely regarded as one of the Philippines’ most admired celebrity couples and BPI AIA’s 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 encompass emotional well-being, meaningful connections, and long-term security.
For the couple, this shift in perspective has also reshaped what strength means in their day-to-day lives.
Redefining strength started with letting go of the expectation to carry everything alone. Raising five children while managing demanding careers required shifting from individual endurance to real, 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 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 complementing 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 requires deliberate effort in their real everyday life. Drew notes that their days are less about cinematic moments and more about managing endless household demands. To stay centered, they intentionally squeeze in simple rituals like a quick workout or coffee before the whole house wakes up.
For Iya, showing up for themselves requires 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.”
They also actively protect each other’s emotional peace. Drew trusts Iya to point out when something is off so they can work through it together, while Iya stresses supporting each other whenever one partner needs time to decompress through a walk, playing golf, or having quiet time.
From Bahala Na to Intentional Planning
A major part of staying strong for their family’s future involves shifting from “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 to 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.
Iya views this strategic approach as 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.”
Through their partnership with BPI AIA, Drew and Iya have come to see financial preparedness as more than building savings. It’s about protecting their family’s future through solutions that help them prepare for life’s uncertainties, including unexpected health challenges that could affect their kids, who depend on them most.
For the couple, having a solid protection plan in place brings peace of mind, allowing them to focus less on the “what-ifs” and more on the moments that matter. Drew likens financial planning to doing laundry: once you’ve taken care of it, you’re 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.”
Photo credit: Drew Arellano on IG
Building a Future as Full Partners in Every Step
Drew and Iya believe that long-term security must be a shared responsibility where both partners lead.
Iya urges women to take an active role in these decisions: “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.”
Drew reinforces this lesson for fathers, reframing 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 show that true strength goes beyond physical fitness. It is 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 isn’t just about staying active today, but also about protecting the future they’re building for their family.
As Rethink Healthy promotes a holistic approach to health that includes 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 www.bpi-aia.com.ph.
