SANYA Lopez is overwhelmed by the reaction of audiences who feel sad that “First Yaya” is now on its last week of telecast. They are all requesting GMA-7 to give it an extension or a sequel or Book 2.

“Thanks po sa lahat ng suporta nyo,” says Sanya. “Ako rin po, sobrang mami-miss ko ang ‘First Yaya’ at lahat ng mga kasama ko rito, both my co-stars and all the staff and crew. We really had a great time working together kaya noong last day namin sa lock in taping, most of us were crying and up to now, we still keep in touch. I made a lot of new friends and now, we’re not only friends but also family as we feel so close to each other.”

She says “First Yaya” will always be very memorable for her and considers it a milestone in her career. “This is the first show that I played the title role no less. And also, being paired with Kuya Gabby Concepcion is truly an honor and a privilege. I never thought I’d be paired with him kasi I used to watch his movies with megastar Sharon Cuneta at naging fan nila ako.”

So being paired with Gabby in “First Yaya” came as a truly big surprise for her. “Yes, kasi, who would have thought na magiging katambal ko pala siya balang araw? Ang laki ng naitulong niya sa’kin in ‘First Yaya’. He helped boost my confidence that I can do my role well, specially in our scenes together. He’s so easy to work with and I’m really happy that the viewers supported our show. Marami talagang positive comments sa naging love team namin. Napapasaya raw namin sila kaya naman I’d really love to work with him again.”

“First Yaya” started showing on GMA and other Kapuso channels worldwide on March 15, and since then, it, has won the hearts of audiences not only in the Philippines but also those living overseas who watch it on GMA Pinoy TV. Viewers say they really enjoyed following the journey of Sanya as Yaya Melody, an overseas worker who works as chambermaid in the Middle East.

Melody then became the “yaya” of the three kids of Gabby as the vice president who later became a president. It’s actually a fairy tale love story that is feel-good all the way, so the viewers just learned to care for and root for Yaya Melody and her “suntok sa buwan” but colorful relationship with the President.

And it’s not only the viewers who are happy for Sanya but also her co-stars who cheered her for the huge success of “First Yaya” as it became the highest rating show on TV. One of them is Cassy Legaspi, the daughter of Carmina Villaroel and Zoren Legaspi who played Nina, Gabby’s eldest child.

“I enjoyed working with Ate Sanya and I’m glad siyang una kong nakatrabaho ko in my very first teleserye,” says Cassy, “It was truly a good way to start my acting career. I also want to thank GMA-7 for believing in me and giving me this role. To all my co-stars in the show, thank you very much for welcoming me with open arms. Love na love ko kayong lahat and I will never forget our show and our family. I feel so happy and blessed to have met you all. And to Ate Sanya, here’s hoping we can get to work with each other again someday.”

So, all you ardent diehard fans of “First Yaya”, don’t miss all its final five episodes starting this Monday evening. “Huwag na huwag po kayong bibitaw kasi marami pang exciting at mga pasabog na mangyayari sa show in its last few days,” adds Sanya.”It’s been an exciting ride with all of you and we promise hindi kayo mabibigo in its unforgettable conclusion on Friday night.”

“First Yaya” ends on July 2 and replacing it will be “The World Between Us” starring Alden Richards, Tom Rodriguez and Jasmine Curtis Smith on July 5.

More new recipes from Iya and Chef Jose

IYA Villania and Chef Jose Sarasola are together again in Season 2 of the hit cooking show “Eat Well, Live Well, Stay Well” for the coming month of July. Ajinomoto executive Janet Pasco says they’re very pleased with the first season.

“It’s very well-received,” she says. “We got very high ratings and the feedback from the public is very encouraging. They are requesting for a second season, so here it is.”

So how will Season 2 differ from the first one?

It’s Iya who replies: “For the new season, we’ll feature recipes made with oyster sauce. More nutritious healthy meals and new ways and ideas of cooking vegetables, creating more good bonding moments even at home. The pandemic is still on so most of us are at still home, or working from home, so para hindi maubusan ng recipes, we will also show how to have budget friendly recipes.”

Chef Jose says that after the first season, Iya has become an excellent chef herself. “The first season is a fun experience. We enjoyed doing a lot of recipes together and it’s great sharing them with our viewers.”

It’s good they don’t run out of ideas for cooking new dishes? “With cooking kasi, the possibilities are endless. We are all constantly discovering something. Ah, puede pala ito, okay pala ito. The recipes we prepared for this new season, sobrang sarap. At iba siya, kasi hindi ganun kamahal, sobrang panalo siya.”

For someone who’s fitness conscious, is it difficult to resist all the dishes that they’re cooking? “Yes, there are times, i feel guilty, kasi mahilig talaga akong kumakain and our bosses know that,” says Iya. “Minsan, hindi ako nagiging maingat sa kinakain ko. You indulge, until you really feel it, and you get disappointed with yourself kasi you feel bloated, you’re heavier and it’s not good. It feels good when you know you’re eating good, healthy and clean. Fitness is very important. What you put in your tummy is very important and that’s what we will show in Season 2 of ‘Eat Well, Live Well, Stay Well’ so don’t miss our return this July.”

More prizes and surprises on ‘AOS’

GMA Network has so much to be thankful for as they seem to have now cornered much of the advertising revenue meant for television. Watch their shows and they are just all so overloaded with commercials, specially the ones on primetime like “First Yaya”, where there are about 10 TV advertisements or more during each commercial break.

In contrast, other network have very few ads and some of them only carry in house plugs promoting their existing or upcoming show. No wonder the 71st anniversary celebration of GMA continues on “All Out Sundays” and is now on their third week of nonstop merriment.

This Sunday, June 27, more prizes and surprises will delight viewers as they say goodbye to the month of June and the first half of the year 2021. As GMA’s 71st anniversary celebration continues, they thank ka-AYOS viewers via the All Out Shake And Win Promo! Just by watching “All Out Sundays”, seven lucky viewers will win P10,000 each!

The show begins with a grand welcome for the newest Kapuso artist – Pokwang, from the AYOS barkada – Julie Anne San Jose, Barbie Forteza, Christian Bautista, Mark Bautista, Ken Chan, Rita Daniela, Gabbi Garcia, Ruru Madrid, Kyline Alcantara, Jeremiah Tiangco, Jessica Villarubin, Garrett Bolden, Thea Astley, and guests Khalil Ramos, Mark Herras, Nef Medina, and Kate Valdez.

AOS will also officially welcome the fresh new talents who just signed up with GMA Artist Center called Fresh Young Peeps or #FYP! Julie Anne San Jose is joined by young belters Sheemee Buenaobra and Mitzi Josh. Lexie Gonzales jams with fellow acoustic singers Pamela Prinster and Gabrielle Hahn. Showbiz royalties Mavy and Cassy Legaspi is joined on the dance floor by Sandro Muhlach – son of Niño Muhlach, and Brianna – daughter of Michael V.

Get ready to sing-along as The Divas of the Queendom – Aicelle Santos, Julie Anne San Jose, Rita Daniela, Jessica Villarubin, Thea Astley, Jennie Gabriel and Lani Misalucha, perform the 80’s ballad hits of Ric Segreto. And of course, bring your dance moves as Tiktok stars Kokoy de Santos, Joel Palencia, and Andrei King take on the Cypher dance crew challenge with Julian Trono, Mannex Manhattan and Mark Herras.

Find out what next stressful event triggers the crankiest superhero in the comic interlude, “I’m Byerna”, with Denise Barbacena, Buboy Villar, Tuesday Vargas, Kakai Bautista, Kim de Leon and EA Guzman.

More prizes and fun surprises await our viewers as we close the show with more giveaways from Shopee. The all out shake and win party groovess this Sunday in “All-Out Sundays” at 12:00 noon on GMA.