AT A GLANCE
The atmosphere was infused with festive cheer as guests likened the occasion to "Christmas in March." Ivana brightened the event by distributing joy and raffle prizes.
In a delightful gathering held recently in Quezon City, Ivana Alawi, a former content producer turned actress, joyfully celebrated her flourishing career alongside members of the entertainment press.
With warmth and gratitude in her voice, Ivana remarked, "Thank you so much for being with me. I've wanted to do this since last year. It was initially planned for just before Christmas, but my trip to the US delayed things. I'm really glad our schedules ended up aligning."
The atmosphere was infused with festive cheer as guests likened the occasion to "Christmas in March." Ivana brightened the event by distributing joy and raffle prizes.
The highlight of the gathering was an engaging Q&A segment, during which Ivana openly discussed her aspirations, upcoming projects, and perspectives on love and relationships.
What she's thankful for: "Marami akong gustong ipagpasalamat pero kung meron mang isang bagay na gusto kong ipagpasalamat is yung pagmamahal sa akin. I'm very thankful for that. (I have a lot to be thankful for but if there's one thing I want to be thankful for, it's the love I have now. I'm very thankful for that.)"
On bashers: "Wala naman akong magagawang perfect para sa kanila so deadma lang. Ang iniisip ko yung mga nagmamahal sa akin at ano yung mas makaka-tulong ako. Yun ang nasa utak ko. Yung mga basher wala rin naman akong pakialam sa kanila eh. (I can't do anything perfect for them so I just ignore them. All I think about is those who love me and what I can do more to help them. That's what's on my mind. I don't care about the bashers either.)"
Career collaboration: "Taasan ko na ang pangarap ko. Si Anne Curtis-Smith. Gusto ko rin si Mr. Beast. Mapagbigay kasi siya at natutuwa ako sa mga content niya. (I've set my dream high. Anne Curtis-Smith. I also like Mr. Beast. He's generous and I enjoy his content.)"
On dreams: "Meron akong pangarap na maa-achieve ko na very soon. Pangarap ko siya dati pa. Pero siyempre in the future gusto ko ng makabuo ng pamilya. Pangarap ko siya bata pa lamang ako. Matutupad siya at malalaman naman ninyo agad. This month. (I have a dream I'll achieve very soon. It's been my dream since before. But of course in the future I want to start a family. It's been my dream since I was young. It will come true and you'll know soon. This month.)"
Health scare: "Nagkaroon ako ng trangkaso and so far yun pa lang. Sunod-sunod kasi ang trabaho. Walang katotohanan na magkaka-cancer ako sabi sa YouTube. Yung mama ko nag nag-alala roon. Sabi ko mama, kalma. Wala tayo nyan. Wala namang makakapag-predict kung kelan ka mawawala. Lahat naman tayo darating doon. Ang nakaka-alam lang ang Diyos. (I got sick. Maybe I've been working hard. It's not true that I'm going to get cancer. That's what they said on YouTube. My mom was worried about it. I said, 'Mom, calm down. We're not going to get it.' No one can predict when you'll be gone. Only God knows.)"
"Ang daming kumakalat na fake news na hindi ako okay. Okay na okay ako. It took a month to recover. Medyo nagkalaman ako pero happy naman ako. Wala na akong sakit. (There's a lot of fake news that's been spreading that I'm not okay. I'm okay. It took a month to recover. I was a little sick but I'm happy. I'm not sick anymore.)"
On Barbie Forteza: "Mabait siyang tao at hindi siya nagbago. I love her. I love her ugali. Nagyaya siya mag-jogging, mag workout. She's very fit. (She's a good person and hasn't changed. I love her. I love her attitude. She invites me to go jogging and work out. She's very fit.)"
Producing content: On the spot namin naiisip yun. Yung mga prank at mag nangyayari sa streets, hindi ko talaga pina-plano yun. Kung ano lang ang mangyari. Mahirap maging content creator because you keep thinking of your next contents. Wala akong team na nag-iisip para sa akin. Ako lang lahat. Pag burnout na ako, pahinga lang ako. (We thought about that on the spot. The pranks and things that happen on the streets, I didn't plan for that. It's just whatever happens. Being a content creator is hard because you keep thinking of your next content. I don't have a team that thinks for me. It's all me. When I'm burned out, I rest.)"
What supporters can get from her contents: "Gusto ko na may natutunan silang lesson. At the end of the day, pagkatapos nilang manood, ano ba ang natutunan nila? That's why isa sa mga gustong kong ginagawa ay yung pagtuturo because nai-inspire sila. Marami rin batang nanonood. (I want them to learn a lesson. After they watch, what did they learn at the end of the day? That's why one of the things I like to do is teach; they are inspired. Many children watch.)"
Love life: "Wala nga akong time sa sarili ko eh. Kahit sa family ko hindi na kami minsan nag kakasabay kumain. Pero may pasulyap-sulyap na date ganun. (I don't have time for myself. Even with my family, we don't eat together anymore. But there are occasional dates like that.)
Future TV projects: :May gagawin kaming teleserye. May movie rin this year. Yung love life saka na yun. Work muna. (We will be doing a teleserye and a movie this year. No love life. Work first.)"
On wealth: "Mayaman ako in different aspects. Mas mayaman ako sa pagmamahal,m sa pamilya, dahil andyan kayo. Yung pera naman mawawala rin yan. Basta saktong yaman yung ang impotante. Contented ako kung anong meron ako. (I am rich in different aspects. I am richer in love, in family, and the media. Money will disappear. I am content with what I have.)"
On dream vacation: "Sana Amerika uli. Sana may work din sa abroad. Sana Iceland kung papayagan ako. (I hope to be in America again, work abroad, and go to Iceland if they allow me.)"
Advice for newbie content creators: "Good luck sa kanila at sana magpaka-totoo sila. Sana makapag-inspire din sila. Importante na makapag-inspire rin sila sa audience. Be mindful with what you post. Hindi ako perfect. Sinasabi ko lang sa mga content producers to be careful and be aware (sa mga posts) because maraming bata ang nanonood. (Good luck to them and I hope they are real. I hope they can inspire, too. It's important that they can inspire the audience too. Be mindful of what you post. I'm not perfect. I want the content producers to be careful and be aware (in posts) because many children are watching.)"
On endorsing political candidates: "Napaka-arte ko at choosy ako pagdating sa pulitiko. Hindi naman yan para sa akin or ikakaganda ko or para sa pamilya ko. Ito ay para sa PIlipinas. You have to be picky. Para ito sa mga kababayan natin. Ano yung magpapaganda sa atin? Kung pera sana lahat kinuha ko na at ang yaman ko na. Pero hindi lang siya pera eh. It's what you believe in and who do you think will make the country a better place. (I'm very picky and choosy about politics. That's not for me or my family. This is for the Philippines. You have to be picky. This is for our countrymen. What will make us beautiful? If it were just about money, I would have taken everything and become rich. However, it’s not solely about money; it’s about what you believe in and who can make our country a better place.)" Ivana said she is supporting the Agap Partylist in the 2025 general elections.
On falling in love: "Siguro in two years. Kapag mga 30 na ako I think it's time for me to start focusing on love and (raising) a family. (Maybe in two years. When I'm in my 30s, I think it's time for me to start focusing on love and (raising) a family.)"
