Ivana Alawi Age 29: 5 Breakthrough Film Roles
Ivana
Alawi
Birthday Countdown 2026 IST — Age 29, Filipino-Moroccan Actress, YouTuber, Ivana Skin CEO, Partners in Crime, Shake Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins, Sitsit, Complete Filmography, Awards & All Details
Who is Ivana Alawi?
Mariam Sayed Sameer Marbella Al-Alawi, known professionally as Ivana Alawi, is a Filipino actress, model, and YouTuber who is also the CEO of her own skincare brand called Ivana Skin. Regarded as one of the biggest social media influencers of her time, Alawi is the most subscribed Filipino celebrity on YouTube, having been honored by Google as the “Top YouTube Content Creator” in the Philippines for two consecutive years. In 2021, Alawi was ranked fourth on the “100 Most Beautiful Faces in the World” list by TC Candler.
Born December 25, 1996, in Manila to a Filipino mother and a Moroccan father, Ivana was raised in Bahrain before relocating to the Philippines. She is of Moroccan and Filipino descent, and her sister is actress Mona Alawi, with an older brother named Hashim. Her multicultural background and distinctive beauty have become defining characteristics of her public persona. Beyond her entertainment career, Ivana has established herself as a savvy entrepreneur, launching her skincare brand while maintaining a thriving career in television, film, and digital content creation.
Early Career & Entertainment Entry (2015–2018)
Alawi appeared on the sixth season of GMA-7’s StarStruck, which aired in 2015, where she placed among the top 22 contestants. This competition appearance provided valuable exposure and led to her signing with GMA Artist Center. During this early period, she worked on developing her craft while building her presence in Philippine entertainment. Her early career was characterized by supporting roles and guest appearances that allowed her to gain experience and visibility.
Breakthrough & ABS-CBN Rise (2018–2019)
In 2018, Ivana transitioned to ABS-CBN and Star Magic, marking the beginning of her rapid ascent in Philippine entertainment. In 2018, Alawi appeared as Rina in ABS-CBN’s Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Araw Gabi. Following this appearance, a year later she appeared as Amor in FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, made her film debut in the film Open and was later cast in the Metro Manila Film Festival entry 3pol Trobol: Huli Ka Balbon!, and appeared as Lolita in Sino ang Maysala?: Mea Culpa. For which she was awarded Best New Female Personality in the 33rd PMPC Star Awards for Television.
Her performance in “Sino ang Maysala?: Mea Culpa” earned her significant recognition and established her as a serious dramatic talent. This award validated her transition from supporting roles to leading positions and positioned her as one of ABS-CBN’s promising young actresses.
YouTube Stardom & Digital Influence (2019–2022)
Alawi launched a self-titled YouTube channel in 2019. This strategic move proved transformative for her career, allowing her to connect directly with audiences beyond traditional television formats. Her vlogging content, featuring family interactions, beauty tips, pranks, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of her life, resonated strongly with viewers. Her YouTube channel currently has 20.4 million subscribers with 1.9 billion views. Having been honored by Google as the “Top YouTube Content Creator” in the Philippines for two consecutive years.
Her success on YouTube transformed her into one of the most recognizable digital personalities in the Philippines, with her influence extending across TikTok, Instagram, and other social media platforms. This digital presence complemented her television and film work, creating a multimedia star with unprecedented reach.
Horror Film Success & Commercial Viability (2020–2022)
In 2020, Ivana demonstrated her versatility in dramatic and horror roles with her appearance in “Sitsit,” earning critical recognition for her performance as Joyce. Partners in Crime is a 2022 Philippine action-adventure comedy film starring Vice Ganda and Ivana Alawi, with a box office of ₱168 million. This commercial success established her as a bankable film star capable of anchoring major theatrical releases.
During this period, she also appeared in “A Family Affair” (2022), continuing her growth as a television lead. Her ability to navigate between horror, comedy, and drama demonstrated her range as a performer.
Recent Career & Personal Growth (2024–2026)
As of 2025–2026, Ivana continues to maintain an active and selective entertainment career. She appeared as Bubbles in FPJ’s “Batang Quiapo,” a role she exited in 2024. She is also set to appear in the upcoming Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2025 entry “Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins.” “Love Is Never Gone” marks Alawi’s full teleserye comeback after her 2022 drama “A Family Affair.”
Her business ventures remain significant, with Ivana Skin expanding her entrepreneurial portfolio beyond entertainment. She continues to produce YouTube content for her massive audience while selectively choosing film and television projects that align with her artistic vision.
Ivana Alawi’s transition to YouTube marked a watershed moment in her career. With over 20 million subscribers and recognition from Google as a Top YouTube Content Creator, she has become one of the most influential digital personalities in the Philippines. Her ability to maintain relevance across traditional entertainment and digital platforms distinguishes her as a modern multimedia star.
Beyond acting, Ivana has proven herself as a savvy entrepreneur through Ivana Skin, her successful skincare brand. Her ability to balance multiple revenue streams—television, film, YouTube content creation, and business ventures—while maintaining high standards across all platforms showcases her business acumen and work ethic.
Ivana Alawi — Complete Filmography 2015–2026
| Year | Series / Project | Character · Platform | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | StarStruck (Season 6) | Contestant · GMA-7 | Reality competition · Top 22 |
| 2018 | Precious Hearts Romances: Araw Gabi | Rina · ABS-CBN | ABS-CBN debut · Drama |
| 2018 | FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano | Amor · ABS-CBN | Prime-time series · Long-running |
| 2019 | Open | Lead · Film | Film debut |
| 2019 | 3pol Trobol: Huli Ka Balbon! | Stacy Ramirez · MMFF Entry | Metro Manila Film Festival · Comedy |
| 2019 | Sino ang Maysala?: Mea Culpa | Lolita · ABS-CBN | PMPC Star Award Winner · Drama thriller |
| 2020 | Sitsit | Joyce · Film (Horror) | Horror thriller · Critical acclaim |
| 2020 | A Family Affair | Cherry Red Magwayen-Estrella · TV Series | 95 episodes · Drama series |
| 2022 | Partners in Crime | Barbara Nicole Rose Albano · Film | Commercial success · 168M box office · With Vice Ganda |
| 2024 | Batang Quiapo | Bubbles · ABS-CBN | Prime-time series · 17 episodes |
| 2025 | Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins | Edris · MMFF 2025 Entry | Horror anthology · Segment “2050” · With Richard Gutierrez |
| 2025 | Love Is Never Gone | Lead · Television Series | Teleserye comeback · With Joshua Garcia · Shot in Morocco |
Key Milestones — Career Timeline
Awards & Recognition
Frequently Asked Questions
Ivana Alawi’s birthday is December 25, 1996. She celebrates her birthday on Christmas Day, which holds special significance in Philippine culture. She will turn 30 on December 25, 2026. The live countdown at the top of this page displays the exact days, hours, minutes, and seconds remaining until her next birthday in Indian Standard Time (IST). Her birthday is celebrated annually by fans throughout the Philippines and internationally who recognize her significant contributions to Philippine entertainment and her status as one of the industry’s most influential digital personalities.
Ivana Alawi is 29 years old in 2026 and will turn 30 on December 25, 2026. Born in 1996, she has had a career spanning over a decade in Philippine and international entertainment. She made her entertainment debut at age 18 by competing on StarStruck Season 6 (2015) and achieved significant success at age 22-23 when she won the PMPC Star Award for Best New Female TV Personality in 2019. Her YouTube channel launched when she was 22 years old and has grown into one of the most subscribed on the platform.
Ivana Alawi’s zodiac sign is Capricorn, as she was born on December 25. Capricorn individuals are typically known for their ambition, discipline, responsibility, and business-oriented nature. In Chinese astrology, Ivana was born in the Year of the Rat, which symbolizes intelligence, adaptability, charm, and resourcefulness. These astrological traits align with her career characteristics: her disciplined approach to multiple business ventures (Ivana Skin, YouTube channel), her ambitious career moves across television and film, and her resourceful navigation of the entertainment industry across multiple platforms.
Ivana Alawi has several iconic roles depending on perspective. Her performance as Joyce in “Sitsit” (2020) represents her most critically acclaimed dramatic work and demonstrated her range in horror-thriller cinema. Her role in “Partners in Crime” (2022) showcases her commercial bankability and comedy timing alongside Vice Ganda. However, her most culturally significant achievement may be her YouTube success, where she has become a defining voice for Filipino digital influencers. Each role reflects different dimensions of her artistry and career evolution.
As of 2026, Ivana Alawi has over 20 million subscribers on YouTube, making her the most subscribed Filipino celebrity on the platform. She was honored by Google as the “Top YouTube Content Creator” in the Philippines for two consecutive years. Her YouTube channel has accumulated over 1.9 billion views. Her content primarily focuses on vlogging, featuring family interactions, beauty tips, pranks, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of her life. Her YouTube success has been instrumental in building her personal brand and establishing her as one of the Philippines’ most influential digital personalities.
Ivana Skin is Ivana Alawi’s own skincare brand, which she launched as CEO and founder. The brand represents her entrepreneurial expansion beyond entertainment into the beauty and wellness industry. Ivana Skin offers various skincare products and has become a significant part of her business portfolio. The skincare venture demonstrates her business acumen and her ability to leverage her personal brand and influence to create successful commercial ventures. The brand has been well-received by her fans and followers who appreciate her involvement in product development and quality assurance.
Yes, Ivana Alawi remains active in entertainment as of 2026. In 2025, she appeared in “Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins,” the Metro Manila Film Festival entry for 2025, in a segment alongside Richard Gutierrez, marking her return to major film productions. She is also currently filming “Love Is Never Gone,” a teleserye project with Joshua Garcia that was shot in Morocco, which marks her full comeback to dramatic television series after a multi-year gap. While selective about her project choices, she continues to balance entertainment work with her YouTube content creation and business ventures.
Ivana Alawi was born to a Filipino mother and a Moroccan father, making her Filipino-Moroccan. Her real name is Mariam Sayed Sameer Marbella Al-Alawi. She was born in Manila on December 25, 1996, but was raised in Bahrain during her childhood before relocating to the Philippines. She has three siblings: an older brother named Hashim, a sister Mona Alawi who is also an actress, and another sister Amira. Her multicultural background and diverse heritage have been integral to her public identity and have contributed to her distinctive appearance and global appeal.
Ivana Alawi’s most significant acting award is the PMPC Star Award for Television’s “Best New Female TV Personality,” which she won in 2019 for her role as Lolita in “Sino ang Maysala?: Mea Culpa.” Beyond acting-specific awards, she has received numerous recognitions including being ranked fourth on TC Candler’s “100 Most Beautiful Faces in the World” (2021) and being named TikTok Shop Celebrity of the Year (2024). She also received YouTube’s Diamond Play Button for reaching 10 million subscribers and was honored as Google’s “Top YouTube Content Creator” in the Philippines for two consecutive years. These recognitions reflect her success across entertainment, digital content creation, and business ventures.
As of 2026, Ivana Alawi’s relationship status is not publicly specified in recent official statements. In 2025, there were reports linking her romantically to Bacolod Rep. Albee Benitez, though both parties denied the allegations of an affair. Ivana has generally maintained privacy regarding her personal romantic life while remaining active in her professional career and public appearances. She continues to focus on her entertainment projects, YouTube content creation, and business ventures.
Recent Developments 2024–2026
As of May 2026, Ivana Alawi continues to maintain an active and expanding entertainment career. Her 2025 projects represent a significant return to major film and television productions after a more selective period. She appeared in “Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins,” her third Metro Manila Film Festival appearance following ‘3pol Trobol: Huli Ka Balbon!’ (2019) and ‘Partners in Crime’ (2022).
Joshua Garcia and Ivana Alawi are set to join forces for the first time in the upcoming romance drama “Love Is Never Gone,” marking Alawi’s full teleserye comeback after her 2022 drama “A Family Affair.” This project represents a major commitment to television production and signals her continued relevance in the industry.
Ivana continues to maintain her position as the most subscribed Filipino celebrity on YouTube with over 20 million subscribers. Her content remains popular with audiences, and she continues to balance entertainment work with her business ventures and digital content creation. Recent years have seen her establish herself not just as an entertainer but as a businesswoman and entrepreneur with significant influence across multiple platforms and demographics.
← View All Birthday Countdowns→ Philippine Cinema 2026 — Upcoming Films & Series→ ABS-CBN Entertainment 2026 — News & Updates→