Filipino-Moroccan actress Ivana Alawi revealed her love for diamonds and stunning jewels, stating that owning them is a wise investment.

At the launch of the Barbie Collection of LVNA by Drake Dustin at the Peninsula Manila in Makati City, Ivana said her mother taught her about wise investments.

"Matagal na akong nagsusuot ng jewelry. Yun kasi ang tinuro sa akin ng mama ko noong bata pa ako: invest in gold and diamonds. Bumibili na ako noon ng paunti-unti. Hindi malalaki (ang bato) pero yung mga pwede kong sabihin na collection na maliliit," she said.

(I've been wearing jewelry for a long time. That's what my mom taught me when I was young: invest in gold and diamonds. I've been buying little by little. They're not big (the stones), but the ones I can say are small collections.)

Ivana, 27, stated that gold and diamonds are smart investments because their value never decreases. "Ang diamond umaangat talaga ang value niya and it never goes down especially kapag nag invest ka sa magandang bato." (A diamond's value goes up, and it never goes down, especially when you invest in a beautiful stone.)

Engagement ring

For her 24th birthday, Ivana gifted herself with a P12 million diamond ring from LVNA by Drake Dustin, to be worn regardless of relationship status. She revealed why she bought herself an engagement ring.

"Siguro when I was younger, hinihintay ko ang engagement ko. Sabi ko 18 years old magpapakasal na ako. Eh 25 na ako wala pa rin. So sabi ko ayoko na maghintay. Gusto ko kasi ng malaking ring. Pangarap ko yun eh. 

(When I was younger, I thought I would get engaged by the time I was 18. However, as I turned 25 and still wasn't engaged, I realized I didn't want to wait any longer. I wanted a big ring - that's my dream.)

"Noong sinuot ko siya for my first endorsement sabi ko, 'Ang ganda niya!' Sabi ko kahit wala na akong TF, this is my dream. Tinext ko si Drake sabi ko gusto ko siyang bilhin. 

(When I wore her for my first endorsement, I said, 'She's beautiful!' Even though I don't have a talent fee anymore, this is my dream. I texted Drake and said I wanted to buy it."

"When you see it, you will love the jewelry. Hindi ako makatulog. Sabi niya sure ka? So now it's in my collection and yun ang pinaka-special,' " she said.

(When you see it, you will love the jewelry. I can't sleep. He said, 'Are you sure?' So now it's in my collection, and that's the most special.)

Ivana mentioned that her pieces of jewelry were stored in a vault. She photographed them to easily pick pieces for special occasions.

"Nasa safe niya. Pero hindi ko siya nakikita araw-araw so I take photos para malaman ko kung ano ang gusto kong isuot," the content creator said.

Relationship status

Ivana stated that she is still single and is currently focused on her career. She just wrapped up an unforgettable stint in "FPJ's Batang Quiapo" on ABS-CBN.

Since it is a Barbie Collection, Ivana was asked if she had found her Ken, perceived to be a special friend of the fashion doll. Ivana mentioned that she goes on dates but is not in a serious relationship.

"Secret. Si Ken hindi pa. I'm dating other people, so hindi ako in a hurry in a relationship," said Ivana, when was asked if she had found her special someone.

Ivana mentioned that her ideal qualities in a man have remained the same: being family-oriented, respectful, and accepting of her family.

"Meron naman akong mga nakikilala at hindi naman ako nagta-taas ng standards. Baka kung kanino titibok ang puso ko doon na lang," she said.

Ivana added: "Hindi naman ako papasok sa relationship para sabihin sa kanila na bilhan mo ako nito or ng ganyan. I can buy myself diamonds that I want. I can buy myself whatever I want and that's why I work hard. That's why I'm inspired to keep working. Hindi naman ako papasok sa isang relasyon na doon na lang ako aasa."

(I will not enter a relationship to tell them to buy me this or that. I can buy myself the diamonds that I want. I can buy myself whatever I want, and that's why I work hard. That's why I'm inspired to keep working. I'm not going to get into a relationship that I'm going to rely on.)

Drake said he considers Ivana his lucky charm when it comes to endorsement.

"She started everything. If it weren't for her endorsement, which she did during the pandemic, LVNA would have perished. So iba ang charm ni Ivana talaga. Siya ang hinahanap ng mga clients namin hanggang ngayon," he added.