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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Celebrities devider Ivana Alawi's iPhone giveaway sparks backlash over online gambling tie-in

Ivana Alawi's iPhone giveaway sparks backlash over online gambling tie-in

Published Jul 18, 2026 12:19 pm

At A Glance

  • Ivana Alawi faces online backlash after fans discovered that joining her 100-iPhone giveaway required following an online gambling platform she endorses.

What was meant to be a massive giveaway for fans has instead landed Ivana Alawi at the center of a growing online backlash.

The actress-vlogger announced on July 15 that she would be giving away 100 iPhone 17 units, documenting her trip to the mall where she spent P4.28 million on the gadgets.

"Happy ako dahil 100 tao ang makakatanggap at magagamit niyo ito," she said in the video.

But the excitement quickly gave way to criticism after viewers noticed that one of the giveaway mechanics required participants to follow the Facebook page of an online gambling platform that she endorses.

"Gusto talaga nila na marami ang mabigyan kaya tumulong sila. All you have to do is follow their page, kasi do'n tayo kukuha ng random followers na makakapag-uwi ng iPhone 17," she said.

While the video drew huge engagement, with more than 7.3 million reactions and 5.9 million comments on Facebook, it also triggered criticism from netizens who argued that the promotion could expose more people to online gambling.

"Sorry po, Ma'am Ivana Alawi. That P4 million worth of 100 iPhones is nothing compared to the lives that could be affected by promoting online casinos," one Facebook user wrote. "Millions of Filipinos may have been exposed to this promotion, and some might be encouraged to try gambling. Please use your influence wisely."

Ay, may sabit pala. Nanloloko lang pala," said another.

Another warned that the giveaway's appeal could unintentionally encourage participation in online gambling.

"More than a million na yung nag-engganyo dun sa pa-giveaway ni Ivana Alawi na iPhone 17. Pero nakakalungkot lang na isa sa mechanics ata ay kailangan i-follow yung page nung sugal na ineendorse niya. Di na ako magtataka kung isa o higit pa sa sumali sa giveaway na 'yan ay malululong sa sugal," the post read.

"Hay naku! Sabi na nga ba...too good to be true," posted another disgruntled netizen. 

Alawi had yet to address the backlash as of this writing.

Related Tags

Ivana Alawi Ivana Alawi giveaway Ivana Alawi gambling online gambling iPhone giveaway
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