With the 2025 midterm elections just around the corner, actress and content creator Ivana Alawi has made a passionate appeal to her followers: Vote wisely and don’t be swayed by popularity.
In her latest YouTube vlog released days before the May 12 elections, Alawi reflected on the struggles faced by ordinary Filipinos—particularly public market vendors and fishermen—whom she featured while handing out financial assistance as part of her content.
“Ang dami kong realizations after ng vlog na ‘to,” Ivana said. “Napakamahal ng mga bilihin talaga… kahit sa palengke, minsan wala na silang mabenta [dahil wala nang bumibili]. Lahat talaga hirap na hirap.”
She also shared the story of a vendor named Ate Liza who, despite poor sales, still chose to give away free fish to someone in need: “Wala na siyang mabenta, pinamimigay na lang niya kaysa mabulok sa kanya.”
Moved by the selflessness of the people she encountered, Ivana ended the vlog with a message to voters, emphasizing the importance of choosing candidates with genuine intent to serve:
“Kaya lagi ko kayong nire-remind na sana sa darating na eleksyon, bumoto tayo nang tama. Mag-isip tayo bago tayo bumoto. Huwag tayong boboto dahil sikat. Dapat ‘yung mayroong gagawin talaga sa bansa natin. Hindi ako tumatakbo bilang politiko, sumusuporta lang ako.”
Ivana also reiterated her stance on staying out of politics despite receiving offers for endorsements and encouragement from politicians.
During her March 7 Thanksgiving party with the media, she disclosed that while many candidates had approached her, she takes great care in evaluating who to support—if any.
