Ivana Alawi admits ‘kilig’ over Joshua Garcia after intense on-screen encounter: “Higop king”

• Ivana Alawi playfully dubbed Joshua Garcia the "Higop King" following their intense kissing scene for the series Love is Never Gone
• The actress admitted to feeling genuine "kilig" during the shoot, citing her long-standing crush on her leading man
• Despite the romantic tension, Ivana emphasized that both actors maintained strict professionalism throughout the production
• The upcoming drama is a historical first for Philippine TV, featuring stunning locations filmed across Morocco

Social media personality and actress Ivana Alawi recently sent the internet into a frenzy after candidly sharing her experience filming a pivotal romantic moment with her co-star, Joshua Garcia.

During a media event held earlier this month, the actress playfully confirmed a long-standing industry rumor regarding Garcia’s intensity in romantic scenes.

The revelation came as Ivana recounted the final day of filming for their new project. She admitted to being visibly stunned by the realism and intensity of their kissing scene.

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“Nako, yung last scene namin grabe pala siya,” she remarked in a mix of English and Tagalog. “Oo, higop king! Ganun, grabe!”

Ivana shared that the experience was so unexpected that she found herself confronting Joshua immediately after the director yelled "cut."

According to the actress, she playfully told him, “Yun yung last scene talaga namin. Hindi ko alam kaya nga sinabi ko sa kanya, grabe ka naman!”

Despite the lighthearted teasing, Ivana was quick to balance her humor with a dash of honesty. She admitted that while she has a self-confessed crush on Joshua, a sentiment shared by millions of fans, they remained focused on their craft.

“Syempre, crush ko yun no, so there was definitely some kilig involved,” she admitted. “But at the end of the day, we are professionals. We were there to fulfill a role and tell a story.”

The series, produced by Dreamscape Entertainment, isn't just generating buzz for its lead stars. Love is Never Gone marks a significant milestone as the first Filipino teleserye to be filmed in Morocco.

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The North African backdrop serves as the setting for a narrative focused on romance and survival.

Scheduled for release later in 2026, the series follows the success of Joshua’s previous hits, including the 2025 film Meet, Greet & Bye.

For Ivana, who was last seen in the top-rated FPJ’s Batang Quiapo, this project represents a fresh, romantic departure that fans have been eagerly anticipating since the teaser trailer dropped last month.

Ivana Alawi is a prominent Filipino-Moroccan artist, digital creator, and entrepreneur. Rising to stardom through her engaging YouTube content, she transitioned from a viral vlogger into a respected television actress with her breakout performance in Mea Culpa. Beyond the screen, she successfully manages her beauty brand, Ivana Skin, solidifying her status as a versatile modern icon.

Recently, following a severe case of food poisoning, Ivana Alawi demonstrated remarkable grit by attending the Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins premiere at Gateway Cinema despite enduring sharp back and stomach pains. The actress was ultimately forced to skip the prestigious 2025 MMFF Parade of Stars after her condition worsened, leading to her urgent admission to the hospital for stabilization. From her hospital bed, Alawi shared a vulnerable photo of her IV line to update fans, emphasizing that her absence from the promotional float was a necessary medical precaution. Even while hospitalized, she utilized her massive platform to encourage the public to watch all official film festival entries, proving her dedication to the local movie industry.

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Also recently, in a promotional event for Shake, Rattle & Roll at Fisher Mall Malabon took a frightening turn when an escalator near the stage malfunctioned, causing several attendees to lose their footing. Footage captured on the scene showed a woman in distress during the mishap; the clip quickly gained traction on social media, sparking a heated debate regarding crowd control and mall safety. The incident occurred while Alawi was in the middle of a song performance, with many netizens noting the terrifying contrast between the entertainment on stage and the chaos on the moving stairs. While some fans expressed disappointment over the event's logistics, many defended the actress, expecting a personal statement or gesture of support for the victims as she recovers from her own recent health issues.

Source: KAMI.com.gh