MANILA, Philippines?Actress-TV host Iya Villania, who is graduating with a degree in Psychology at the De La Salle University this year, wants to put up her own school some day.

But this depends on how busy she will be once she goes full-blast with her show biz career. ?For the past year it?s been school first. I hope to soon give my career the attention it deserves,? Iya told Inquirer Entertainment at the launch of GlamLab Fragrances, which she endorses.

?Psychology helps me deal with people,? she said. ?It teaches me to be aware of my own actions, and how to handle rumors.?

How do you avoid gossip?

I urge friends not to dwell on what they hear. There are too many people out there for you to please everybody.

How do you keep a lasting relationship with someone from the rival network?

Drew (Arellano, host of the early morning show ?Unang Hirit? on GMA 7) and I have been together for three years, 11 months. Working for different networks is not a problem. It?s all about communication. We talk and exchange text messages often. We see each other when we can.

Does he try to influence you to become a triathlete like himself?

Oh yes. Maybe one of these days I will get down to it.

What interests do you share?

We love to eat. We love pasta, pizza and Filipino food. I especially love to eat at his grandma?s house. They always have the best food. He goes there every Sunday.

Do you also invite him to eat at your home?

Of course. My mom prepares the food for all of us. She makes it a point to find out what kind of food Drew?s family likes. They like kare-kare and adobo.

Do you cook?

I try, but my mom is such a good cook so I just let her do it.

How far are you from graduation?

Seven months! I?m so excited. After school, I?d like to... travel, not just to the US and Australia, but also to Europe, maybe even to Egypt.

You?ve been on the dean?s list this past year.

I was very lenient with myself in the beginning. I always said I was still adjusting to the system, to the language, to being in the Philippines, so I was happy just to pass. But when I realized at one point that I was just 25 points from being on the dean?s list, I wondered, ?Maybe I could exert just a little more effort??

What do you do in your free time?

I?m actually very low maintenance. I like to sleep. I hardly watch DVD. I don?t know what?s happening on the latest Hollywood TV show. I don?t know ?Sex in the City? or ?Gossip Girl.? I just sleep. I like to play the piano. I love shopping. I also go online a lot. I?d like to work on setting up a blog in the future.

What?s your favorite from among the GlamLab scents?

The one that?s called Street Beat. It?s fruity. Gusto s?ya ni Drew.

Iya is a mainstay of ABS-CBN shows ?ASAP 08,? ?US Girls? and a video jock for ?MYX?.

Email mcruz@inquirer.com.ph