Actress and social media personality Ivana Alawi drew attention online after posting a pointed message about flood control projects while controversy continued to surround an online gaming promotion linked to her recent smartphone giveaway.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, August 25, Alawi revealed that she was busy repacking relief goods for Filipinos affected by recent flooding brought by severe weather and the southwest monsoon or habagat.
“Busy lang mag repack ng relief goods,” she wrote.
Alawi then questioned what had happened to the country’s flood control projects and the billions of pesos allocated for them.
“Kayo po, kamusta na kaya ang flood control? Ang bilyon bilyong pondo?” she asked.
The actress stressed that the plight of Filipinos affected by flooding should not be forgotten.
“Habang may Pilipinong lumulubog sa baha…. Sorry, hindi kami makakalimot,” she said.
She also appeared to warn against allowing other controversies to divert public attention from issues she considers more pressing.
“Wag tayo gumawa ng ibang issue para matakpan ang mga pinaka importanteng issue.”
Her remarks came amid reports involving the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation’s (PAGCOR) action against an online gaming company connected to a promotional campaign featuring Alawi’s giveaway of 100 high-end smartphones.
During the House Committee on Appropriations’ hearing on PAGCOR’s proposed 2027 budget on Monday, August 24, Kamanggagawa Party-list Rep. Elijah “Eli” San Fernando cited Alawi’s cellphone giveaway while discussing influencer-driven promotions for online gaming platforms.
Reports said participants in the giveaway were required to like or follow the social media page of the online gaming platform.
PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco said the gaming company had been fined ₱1 million and ordered to discontinue the promotion because the activity had not secured the regulator’s required approval.
Tengco also reportedly warned that repeated violations could result in heavier fines, suspension, and eventually the cancellation of the operator’s license.
Alawi earlier went viral after sharing a video showing her purchasing 100 iPhone 17 units for her followers, reportedly worth more than ₱4 million in total.
The giveaway was tied to her celebration of reaching 50 million followers on Facebook. However, it subsequently drew criticism from some netizens over its association with an online gaming platform.
As of writing, it remains unclear whether Alawi herself will be summoned to a congressional hearing or face any sanction in connection with the promotion.