Ivana Alawi praised for helping slain rider's family amid gambling backlash
By Ian Ureta
Actress-vlogger Ivana Alawi visited the wake of slain Move It rider Fabio Norberte Jr. to personally console his grieving family and pledged to shoulder the lifetime medical care and support of Fabio's child, who is reportedly autistic.
Photos circulating online showed Ivana embracing the rider's family during her visit.
Aside from committing to the child's long-term care, the family said the actress also extended financial assistance, earning praise from netizens following the tragic death of Fabio, who was allegedly killed by a passenger during an attempted robbery.
As the Norberte family continues to seek justice, many supporters lauded Ivana for offering not just financial help but also emotional comfort during one of the family's most difficult moments.
Her gesture, however, also reignited discussions surrounding the influence of celebrities and online personalities. While many commended Ivana's act of kindness, others noted that it came just days after she faced criticism over her P4.28-million iPhone 17 giveaway, which required participants to follow the Facebook page of an online gambling platform she endorsed.
On July 15, Ivana uploaded a vlog showing her purchase of 100 iPhone 17 units for the giveaway.
"Happy ako dahil 100 tao ang makakatanggap at magagamit niyo ito. Salamat to our sponsor because this giveaway would not be possible without their support," she said in the video.
Although the giveaway attracted widespread attention, critics questioned one of its entry requirements, saying it effectively promoted an online gambling site to Ivana's massive audience.
"P630,000 plus value ang worth ng iPhones, which is nothing compared to the lives that could be affected by promoting online casinos," one netizen wrote.
Despite the renewed criticism over the giveaway, Ivana's visit to the Norberte family drew widespread praise from supporters, many of whom pointed to her long history of helping people in need.
Others, however, argued that charitable acts do not erase concerns over influencers promoting online gambling, given the reach and impact they have on millions of followers.
As of this writing, Ivana has yet to issue a statement addressing the controversy surrounding her giveaway and endorsement of the online gambling platform.