From covering court-side to hosting concerts for some of the biggest names in entertainment, Aiyana Perlas is rising fast. Let’s take a look at how she got here and where’s she’s headed next.
Aiyana Perlas scored infinite points in our hearts when she burst onto the scene as a court-side reporter for De La Salle University. Since then, her accomplishments as a host have only multiplied, and include such feats as the highly anticipated BINIverse, as well as the first leg of NYLON Manila’s 2024 Career Fair at her alma mater. Amidst the Career Fair excitement, NYLON Manila got to sit down with Aiyana to catch up with her career so far and what she’s learned.
Related: DLSU Takeover: Highlights from the First Leg of NYLON Manila’s Career Fair 2024
Congratulations on all of your success as a host so far! Did you see yourself doing what you’re doing now at the beginning of your career?
A: At the beginning of my career, no. I think I always saw myself as a very energetic, talkative person. But then I never really saw myself being able to do the things that I am doing now. At the start, I think I was very closed to a certain idea na “Okay, hanggang dito lang ako.” But the Lord has so many different doors and I’m happy he has opened a lot of different doors for me.
So, out of curiosity, what did you originally picture for yourself in terms of your career?
A: I was supposed to be a doctor. Yeah, legit. Like, here in La Salle, I took up Psychology because I wanted to follow in the footsteps of my Lolo – to be a child psychiatrist. But then I auditioned for the MYX VJ Search in 2018, and then I lost that competition. And then, after three months I auditioned for DLSU Courtside, and then I got the job. The rest is history. Yay!
Q: What made you decide to try for those things?
A: I think was a bit “sheltered”. Parang, I can say that I’m an extrovert, but then I would never push myself to speak in front of people. But I can talk with people a lot and interact with people. I think the number one thing that really pushed me was my mom, because she knew how when I was a kid I would watch MYX every single day of my life. She pushed me this one time to be like “You’re always watching MYX. Why don’t you try auditioning kaya?” And then I was like, “Yeah, oo nga no. Parang like Heart Evangelista or Luis Manzano, why not?” And then yun. That’s when things started and then I auditioned for MYX.
As a host, do you notice any big differences between the way Gen Zs answer questions versus other generations?
A: I actually never noticed a certain way of answering for the different generations. I do believe naman kasi that everyone has their own level of authenticity. Like, whenever you ask them questions they will always have their own level. So I think that will be the main difference. Kasi, ako for example, if I were to answer a question and this is how I authentically would want to answer it, no matter what generation I’d be, as long as it is understandable, and it is something that people can learn from, no matter what generation you’re from, right? Parang I think that’s what people look for: authenticity and something they can learn from. But I haven’t noticed like a trend naman in answering questions.
Q: So any differences you notice is not tied to generation at all. It’s more about-
A: Personality and how they are, yes.
What is the best and worst thing about sports fan culture?
A: This is not just about sports – I think even entertainment. Number one worst [thing]: cancel culture talaga. That’s evident in both sports and in entertainment, or even music. The best thing naman is really the all-out support – the fanbases and the support talaga of the Filipinos and everything. It’s always overwhelming in a great way. You will always feel the love and the warmth and the support of everyone. But, yun nga, it comes with the catch of cancel culture because of how passionate people are with supporting you. One mistake or one thing you could say could immediately, you know, snap something. I think that’s something I wish people could learn from. Like everyone makes mistakes and everyone is open to change. As long as you learn from it and show that you really want to change. It’s your choice to change as a person and choose to learn from it, and I think it’s okay. I think cancel culture is something we should stop. For real.
You recently hosted at BINIverse – can you tell us what the experience was like?
A: Hosting for BINIverse was so amazing, kasi I’ve seen these ladies grow. I mean, the first time I hosted for them was in 2022, I believe. And I remember we would always talk about it before na parang “Oh, I remember the first time I hosted for you guys, siguro mag 100 lang yung pumunta.” And they were like, “Yeah, para sa amin madami na yun!” And then bigla the next mall show, 8000 people went and I am really happy to be able to see the progress of these girls and how they were able to grow. I can see the passion kasi behind the scenes also, and how they are with their music training. So I’m very, very happy for them. And I am so happy that P-Pop, and OPM in general, is also rising. Thank you, Lord, for that. But yeah, it’s an amazing experience. I think what makes it even more special is that, yun nga, I’m able to see them and how they grow. And I’m part of the process, or I’m able to see the journey of BINI. And not only BINI. Even sila Maki. I was even able to see, like, the growth of SB19 din. So it’s a fun process. Not only as workmates but as friends. It’s nice to be able to support them on that level.
What is your dream hosting gig?
A: PBB – that’s my dream hosting gig. ‘Cause I would always tell Kuya Robbie that he is my dream. Kuya Robbie and Kuya Luis Manzano are the two that I would wish to achieve talaga. It’s my dream to host for PBB, but I know you have to be a housemate to host for PBB. Maybe for like international artists, like if there are fan meets for like BlackPink or Ariana Grande or something like that, I would love to host for them or interview them. Yeah, and more P-Pop stuff hopefully.
If you could do it all over again, are there things you would have done differently in college or in your career, knowing what you know now?
A: Before, I tried my best to please everyone. So much so that I wouldn’t showcase the true me, because of how much I wanted to cater to certain people that I’m with. But then, now, I just realized that: you know what, at the end of the day, if they don’t like your personality then that’s on them. It has nothing to do with you. You can’t be liked by everyone. And I do believe na you really just always have to be yourself and love yourself 100%. Especially because a lot of people will talk talaga and it’s a very critical industry – not only inside but also outside. You really have to have a strong foundation with yourself. So love yourself and be yourself.
What’s next for you? What can people expect to see from you in the near future?
A: Even I don’t know what’s next for myself! But that’s what makes life fun. You don’t know what’s next and it will always be a great surprise, whatever life throws at you, whether good or bad. I think whatever happens will happen, and it’s part of God’s plan for me. But I do hope to host for more P-Pop groups, artists, and more.
What is the craziest most unexpected thing for you that you maybe want to try this year or next?
A: Music! I want to be a singer – that’s my biggest frustration, legit. I really wanted to be Hannah Montana before. But we’ll see. I always tell people that I want to focus on honing my skills as a host, since that’s really what I love and what loves me back. But, you know, maybe if the time comes then yeah. Maybe music.
Anything you want to shoutout or any causes you are passionate about that you want to bring more attention to?
A: Two in particular, actually. I am an advocate for two things: mental health awareness and also stray animals of the Philippines. We have a lot of stray animals in our house. That is our hobby. If we see a kitten or a puppy on the street we will immediately get it and foster it. We have a total of 20 stray cats and 5 stray dogs. We hope that there will be a way, sana, that the Philippines could minimize that. And then mental health awareness for sure. I hope people can be more open to that topic, because I think it’s still a taboo topic here in the Philippines. Slowly, I think people are being more open naman about it.
How do you maintain your mental health, as a person who is in the public eye and is subject to a lot of criticisms from people who don’t know you?
A: I always say this to my friends and to myself: I always have to know the difference between something that is “bashing” or criticism. Kasi there’s a fine line. Someone could just be saying pure hatred or could actually be wanting to help you grow. So you just have to know how to distinguish that and, at the same time, have a strong foundation with yourself. You really have to love yourself and remember, at the end of the day, you are your only best friend no matter what. If you, yourself, can’t even love yourself, how will other people love you? I think that’s what makes me very bubbly and happy – it’s because I’m very happy with myself. I don’t know if that’s an egotistical thing to say, but I love myself – my imperfections, my strengths and weaknesses. Yeah, I think that’s the main thing on how you can be 100% happy.
Do you have a message for your fans and/or the NYLON Manila audience?
A: I hope that you will be able to learn how to love yourself. Learn how to love your imperfections, your strengths, your weaknesses. I hope that people would be more open to that idea. A lot of people tend to be hard on themselves, especially with social media and all the criticisms and everything. Self-love, guys! Don’t fake it! You have to make it real. Don’t fake it ’til you make it. Make it real for yourself.
Answers have been edited for length and clarity
Photos courtesy of NYLON Manila and Aiyana Perlas on Instagram
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