In this episode of I Feel U, those obsessed with aesthetic kitchenware will find something to add to their collection. Host Toni Gonzaga interviewed actress-model-entrepreneur Arianne Bautista, the brains behind a brand of clear water bottles in the shape of a milk carton.

Just a trivia: Arianne is often cast as Toni’s double for commercials because of their resemblance. She eventually became an actress as well, later an influencer, and now a businesswoman. 

Arianne said her 2020 was supposed to be a year of traveling and creating more online content. But the pandemic suddenly happened, thus changing her plans. Quite worried about her spending, she thought of putting up a business. 

Arianne’s team was the first to launch the clear milk carton-shaped water bottles in the market. They didn’t expect it to boom but it did, thanks to the help of her influencer friends and Arianne’s advocacy.

These water bottles are BPA-free which means they’re made of non-toxic materials. Arianne wanted to promote sustainability and help others as well through her business. This purpose is shaped by her growing, stronger sense of spirituality. 

“Before ako mag-business, ang ginagawa ko, nagbabasa ako ng Bible… Doon ko natutunan talaga na everyone has a purpose. We’re made na mabuhay hindi para sa sarili natin but for others, so for me, whatever things I will do should be glorifying the Lord and to help out others,” she said.

Arianne would even ask for Divine guidance before making any decision concerning her business. Her success came as a big surprise for her but she enjoys every piece of it, proving that any endeavor can give us a sense of happiness when done out of selfless intentions.  

Joross and Roxanne

Among the thousands of hopefuls who joined the reality-based talent search Star Circle Quest in 2004, Joross Gamboa and Roxanne Guinoo made the cut and became one of their generation’s hottest love teams. This 2021, the former sweethearts play onscreen lovers anew in the iWant TFC series “Hoy! Love You!” 

Things happened in between and their past relationship even ended in a breakup. But along the way, Joross and Roxanne managed to rekindle their friendship. Roxanne said they simply laugh off the past. Now, their conversations are more about family life.  

For Joross, the goal is longevity more than fame, taking inspiration from the career of late actor Eddie Garcia.

He already tried his hands at film directing and writing and he’s eager to explore the industry more. 
It was more than a decade since they were launched but it can’t be denied that the ‘JoRox’ magic remains captivating to this day fans can’t imagine seeing them paired with other artists. 

Asked for their advice to this generation’s love teams, Roxanne said it’d be better to keep the friendship more than anything else. And, as much as possible, keep the relationship purely professional. 

“Kasi masyadong mahirap, eh. Kunwari nagkaroon kayo ng issue sa totoong buhay tapos meron kayong ginagampanan, minsan nagkakaroon ng masamang epekto talaga, hindi mo ma-portray nang maayos ‘yung mga roles. So, mas maganda talaga kung friendship. Huwag maging marupok,” she explained.

Joross also talked about keeping a spiritual life, thinking he could’ve been a better man then if he only knew this earlier. Nonetheless, everything happens for a reason and what matters is the lesson learned along the way. “Dalawa lang ‘yan, eh – either matuto ka sa payo ng iba at experience ng iba o ikaw mismo maka-experience no’n. Gusto ko kasi ma-experience muna lahat bago ako matuto,” he said in jest. 

More than their showbiz careers, the tandem prioritizes their family life. Roxanne is married to Elton Yap and is blessed with three kids while Joross has two children with wife Kath Saga. Their families had different adjustments this pandemic. Roxanne helped her kids navigate blended learning while Joross looked for earning opportunities in the world of online gaming. 

They also made sure their kids are aware of the current situation. Thankfully, it wasn’t that difficult explaining things to them. They thought it would be best to spend the holidays in a more relaxed celebration. Roxanne’s family kept their annual Tagaytay Christmas getaway while Joross’ went to Batangas.

It’s their first time working under ‘new normal’ for “Hoy! Love You!” filmed in Batangas. It was a fun experience for them, locked-in in a beautiful resort with good friends. Roxanne added that it was less daunting thanks to the 12-hour working period but the challenging part is being away from their families. In their case, they struggled with poor signal reception as well.

Joross and Roxanne promise nothing but happy vibes for the fans and viewers. The story is about two single parents off to an unexpected journey of finding new love. 

Roxanne plays an interior designer who will cross paths with her contractor, portrayed by Joross, for a project in Batangas. Sparks fly on their initial encounters. But, forced to work together, all kinds of vibes and ‘feels’ will make these single parents’ journey more exciting. 

Joining them in the series are Pinoy Big Brother alum Karina Bautista and Aljon Mendoza collectively known as KarJon, Pepe Herrera, Keana Reeves, TJ Valderama, Casey Santos, together with Dominic Ochoa and Carmi Martin.  

Karina and Aljon

In a span of two years since exiting Kuya’s house, Karina Bautista and Aljon Mendoza managed to secure their spots in showbiz. Now one of their generation’s most popular love teams, KarJon starts the year with lots of ‘kilig’ as they star in the newest iWant TFC series “Hoy! Love You!” topbilled by Joross Gamboa and Roxanne Guinoo.

This 2021, the pair promises to prioritize their health while working on their dreams, especially Karina who undergone medical surgery on her chest last year. Aljon’s New Year’s resolution is also to keep a consistent workout routine.

The young stars keep a hopeful attitude as they look forward to the blessings and achievements lined up for them this year both individually and as a loveteam. Their friendship is a magnet to opportunities. “Malaking bagay po ‘yun kapag magkasundo kayo off-cam at nagtutulungan po kami. Siyempre, nakaka- insipire ‘yun, gaganahan ka pong magtrabaho,” said Karina. 

While working diligently as a team, Karina and Aljon are also open to exploring other interests outside the partnership. They also credit their fans, making sure to always give their best to not disappoint them. 

The humility and boldness are sharpened thanks to the weekly tasks inside Bahay ni Kuya. “Kung gusto mo siya, kailangan mo siyang paghirapan. Gano’n kasi yung ginagawa sa amin sa loob. Lahat ng bagay nadadaan sa sipag at tiyaga, so paglabas nadala ko siya pati sa work,” Karina shared.

Those tasks were preparations for bigger challenges in the outside world. Aljon knows life can never too easy but, as he learned from Big Brother, every trial can be surpassed with determination and a positive mind. 

Aljon was bitten by the acting bug since he was a kid. His mom, supportive of this dream, would even remind him to keep his skin scar-free. Aljon was fascinated with the thought of popularity until he experienced the real ‘buhay-artista’ and realized there’s more to it than fame. He learned to embrace the craft with fervor.

Karina, on the other hand, was more comfortable working behind than in front of the cameras despite everyone’s persuasion. Going with the flow, she auditioned for PBB and got in. She even thought she’d be back to living a normal life after her eviction. But, in a surprising plot twist, she found the doors of showbiz open for her and she eventually fell in love with acting.

As a loveteam, Karina and Aljon are no strangers to fans fervently praying that they end up together. It brings them pressure, of course, but they managed to learn how to balance their team-up, friendship and personal lives.

“Noong una, hindi ko po alam kung paano i-handle hanggang sa nagtagal, sila din naman, ‘yung mga sumusuporta sa amin, tanggap nila na mas friends kami. Doon din sila mas happy kasi dito kami komportable,” explained Aljon.

As they grow more comfortable with each other, it also becomes easier for him to act naturally sweet towards her. Karina revealed he loves to care for her. “Kapag may iWant ASAP kami, umaga, bibigyan niya ako ng food. Alam niya kasi lagi akong inaantok, ‘pag pagod ako, pinapatulog niya naman po ako tapos binibigyan niya ako ng jacket kasi sobrang lamig. Mga ganun po, inaalalayan niya ako,” she said. 

Karina and Aljon’s closeness was evident in the “Slam Book” game where they revealed each other’s quirks. According to Karina, green is Aljon’s favorite color and he’s scared of cockroaches. He gets annoyed when people drag his family in negative situations. She thinks her attention makes him ‘kilig.’ 

Aljon would attest to Karina’s love for okra and eggplant and her distaste for ketchup. He mentioned “simple gestures” as her source of ‘kilig.’ 

For Aljon, love is having the courage to experience even the bad times together while Karina described love as an effort to make the other person feel that’s is easy to love you back.

“Hoy! Love You!” is directed by Theodore Boborol and is streaming for FREE starting January 18 on iWantTFC.