It’s been almost six years since Roma Villavicencio took the helm at KENS 5’s “Great Day SA,” her infectious smile making San Antonio mornings a little bit brighter.
A lot has happened for her in the time, both professionally and personally. During the pandemic, for example, COVID-19 restrictions forced her to do the show virtually solo, with only her, a camera person and her co-host allowed in the studio.
The experience, she said, was “nerve-wracking” and forced her to maintain the show’s high energy herself, without being able to feed off her guests and the rest of the crew.
Article continues below this ad
On a happier note, in December she married Ramon Lopez, president of Claim Assist Solutions, a company that provides outsourced insurance claims services.
The two met at a club in 2022 and were friends for several years, getting to know one another while sharing conversations about music, classic cars and more. Eventually, things took a turn for the romantic.
“Married life is awesome,” gushes Villavicencio, 38. “There is nothing like having someone to share your life with, the good and the bad.”
In addition to living with her father, who has health issues, the couple also share custody of Lopez’s 13-year-old son, Sawyer.
“I feel like I finally have a family again, for the first time since my mom died in 2007,” she said.
It’s no surprise then, that Villavicencio’s best day ever involves plenty of food and time spent with her newfound fam.
San Antonio Express-News file photo
I am early riser by nature, typically waking up by 4:45 and 5 in the morning. But on my best day ever, I’ll be a little lazy and sleep in. I can’t sleep any later because my dog Felix, who we call Fifi, makes sure to wake me up if I try.
My mom always told me to brush my teeth first thing, so that’s what I do. It’s even more important now that I’m married (laughs).
Next, I put on my red-light mask for about 10 minutes. It’s supposed to stimulate collagen production and reduce wrinkles. My husband got it for me for Christmas and I have noticed my skin does look smoother and healthier. Of course, I still follow my usual skin care routine.
Next, I make my morning matcha, which comes from the leaves of green tea that are ground into a fine powder. Matcha has less caffeine than coffee, which gives me the jitters. But it still gives me a little pick-me-up. Some people think it tastes grassy or too earthy, but I like it. I make it without sugar, just a little cinnamon. I’ve offered it to Ramon, Sawyer and my dad, but they say it tastes gross.
Next, I put on a cute workout outfit and Ramon and I take Fifi for a walk. Sawyer might come, too. We’ll walk around the neighborhood because it’s just so peaceful and quiet here. Fifi loves to walk and needs the exercise.
The walk is only a warm up because after, we’ll do a 30- to 45-minute workout in the garage gym Ramon built. We lift and do cardio. We keep the garage door open and blare music all the time. Rap is our workout jam. Anything upbeat by Drake, A$AP Rocky, Pitbull or Bad Bunny. I know sometimes the lyrics are just so not right, but the rhythm gets me going.
Working out first thing is kind of a self-accomplishment for me. I feel good and it helps maintain my body goals. And this being my best day ever, I feel I’ve earned everything that I’m going to eat and drink for the rest of the day.
Article continues below this ad
Paul Stephen/San Antonio Express-News
I’ll cook up some homemade chilaquiles verdes for everybody. I didn’t grow up eating it, but I kind of learned how to make it because the green sauce is kind of universal. I can use it so many other ways.
I always feel pressure when I cook because my dad is truly one of the best cooks ever. And he ate my mom’s cooking, and she was a great cook, too. But when I cook, he always tells me, “No, está rico, mija” (It’s really good, sweetheart). Ramon and my stepson also love my cooking.
Courtesy of Roma Villavicencio
After I shower, we’ll drive to the Sole Boutique in The Rim area. It’s a sneaker store and I’ll treat myself and my husband to a new pair of matching sneakers. We’ve been going there so long, the owners have become like friends. I’m always super excited to get some new kicks.
I look for shoes that have patterns and colors that I like, workout shoes that are more stylish. I have, like, 20 pairs of workout shoes, but my entire collection is probably 60, 70 pairs. My closet has a lot of shoe storage, but I’m running out of space.
San Antonio Express-News file photo
Next, we’ll hop on our bikes at Blue Star and ride the Missions Reach trail. I really do love riding and on this, my best day ever, we cruise all the way down to Mission Espada and back. My husband and I got married at Mission San Jose, so we’ll stop there so I can go in and say a quick prayer. I’ll thank God for my husband and my family and everything else I have to be grateful for.
My bike has a little speaker, so I listen to music while I ride. I know that some people don’t like that so, if the trail is busy, I’ll wear headphones. I love music, and I’ll listen to cumbias, salsa, indie Spanish music, whatever.
By now I’m hungry, so we’ll go to the Loma de Vida Spa & Wellness at La Cantera Resort. It’s so peaceful and beautiful. We’ll get a massage and then lay out by the pool and order some snacks, maybe hummus or some other healthy dip.
When it comes to the massage, I’m a wuss. I get the Swedish massage. My husband gets the deep-tissue, but that hurts too much for me.
Article continues below this ad
Next, we go home and get ready for dinner. Like I said, food plays a very, very, very big role in my best day ever.
We’ll drive to dinner in the 1969 charcoal gray El Camino we bought after we got married. We also have a blue ’66 Chevelle that we rode in for our wedding. We love classic cars. On my best day ever, dinner is a choice of some of our favorite restaurants: Mixtli, Leche de Tigre, Bar Loretta or Paladar. Oh, and one more: Acu Bistro Bar, which is near our house and where they’re like family for us. We had our engagement party there.
After dinner, I would love to stop somewhere for a cocktail and some live music. We might go to Jazz, TX because the owner, Doc Watkins, performed at our wedding.
There’s another place on the West Side called The Lighthouse Lounge that I absolutely love. They bring in a lot of Texas talent, from Tejano to oldies. It’s a very cozy, San Antonio place.
We will responsibly enjoy an adult beverage or two. I’ll have a skinny margarita or just a good tequila straight up.
After cruising home, we’ll watch some TV. My stepson loves action movies. If, after all that, we’re still hungry, I’ll ask my dad to make his famous rib-eye tacos. Yes, please.
Eventually, I tell my guys I’m giving up the ghost and heading to bed.
Catch up quickly on San Antonio’s most important stories.
By signing up, you agree to our Terms Of Use and acknowledge that your information will be used as described in our Privacy Policy.
Reporting by Richard A. Marini. Production by Lillian Vest. Editing by Jan Waddy. Powered by the Hearst DevHub.
Sep 12, 2026|Updated Sep 11, 2026 2:50 p.m.
Richard A. Marini is a features reporter for the San Antonio Express-News. He can be reached at rmarini@express-news.net.
Previously, he was an editor and columnist for the Express-News. The Association of Food Journalists once awarded him Best Food Columnist. He has freelanced for American Archaeology, Cooking Light and many other publications. Reader’s Digest once sent him to Alaska for a week. He came back.