Ivana Alawi’s character, Bubbles, in ABS-CBN’s hit primetime series ‘FPJ’s Batang Quiapo’ bid farewell in a dramatic exit, with her character being shot by McCoy de Leon’s character, David.
This episode achieved a new record with 610,927 concurrent viewers on Kapamilya Online Live.
In an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN News, Alawi reflected on her time in the series and clarified the reasons behind her departure.
“‘Batang Quiapo’ is one for the books,” Alawi stated. “It’s something that I’ll treasure for a long time ‘cause this is the first project na parang lumabas ako sa shell ko and I got to do a lot of things which is action, may comedy kami meron romance and you get to do that all in one project and of course, with that ‘yung tulong ni Direk Coco Martin.”
Alawi expressed gratitude to the entire team, emphasizing Martin’s hands-on approach and the support from the cast and crew. Initially, her participation in the show was intended to last only three months.
“Unang-una, tumawag sa akin si Tita Cory (Vidanes), sila Direk Coco (Martin) sabi nila may project, itong ‘Batang Quiapo.’ This was during the time nung kinasal si Lovi (Poe). So sabi ko, ‘Okay po, how long?’ kasi hindi ko kayang matagal ‘cause I have other work. I have my vlog, I have other commitments also abroad. Sabi ko ‘how long?’ ‘Tapos sinabi 3 months. ‘Okay, sige 3 months. I’ll do it,’ sabi ko. Okay kasi ganon ako eh. Pagpapasok ako sa isang trabaho gusto ko ibibigay ko lahat. Hindi ‘yung after one month pagod na ako. Hindi eh. So, 3 months taping okay,” she explained. “Magwa-1 year na! So nag-click siya and magwa-one year na so nag-catch up lahat ng commitments ko. As in nahuhuli na ako so, nagpaalam ako ng maayos sabi ko hindi na talaga kaya.”
Addressing rumors about her departure, Alawi clarified that she left the show on good terms due to her workload. “Minahal ko talaga ‘yung character kong si Bubbles, so nagpaalam ako. So walang nangyaring tinanggal ako or something like that. That’s not true.”
She also addressed rumors of her alleged attitude problem on set. “Ang nangyari talaga tumawag ako, ako na po mismo nagpaalam and it’s because of my work and other commitments na hindi na talaga kinakaya at kahit gustuhin ko man mag-5 years 6 years kung wala lang siguro akong trabaho, I will do it.”
Alawi assured fans that her decision was mutual and that Martin understood her situation. “Yung sinasabi na umaalis ako na hindi pa tapos ‘yung taping, I’ve never done that. Unang-una alam ko malaki ang cost ng production so kahit lumagpas ako ng oras, wala kong commercial the next day, walang problema. Hindi ako nagsasabi na o tapos na tayo aalis na’ko. Hindi ako ganon kasi may production cost. Everyone’s working hindi lang ako, so bakit magdedepende ako sa sarili ko na ayoko na eh tapos na oras ko so I respect everyone.”
“Yung attitude problem. Hindi ko alam eh. Alam mo kasi isa sa mga problem ‘yung face ko. Ito yung normal ha ‘pag hindi ako naka-smile. I was born with an attitude face siguro. Hindi ko alam.”
She concluded by expressing her respect and love for the show and its team, hoping viewers will continue supporting ‘FPJ’s Batang Quiapo.’ Catch ‘FPJ’s Batang Quiapo’ on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, Cinemo, A2Z, TV5, iWantTFC, and TFC.
