It's safe to say that 2022 is really Ivana Alawi's year. 

From being the country's top content creator to landing her first lead role in a teleserye, she's now set to star in her first movie role at the highly celebrated Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) with no less than Vice Ganda as her co-star.

During the story conference of their MMFF entry "Partners in Crime", the "A Family Affair" star gushed over the overwhelming blessings she's been receiving at this point of her career. 

“I feel super grateful and I’m very thankful to ABS-CBN for the chance and opportunity kasi noong bata ako, pangarap ko lang ito, eh," Ivana admitted. "At ngayon nagkakatotoo siya dahil sa ABS-CBN. And I’m very grateful. I’m humbled and blessed talaga,” she added. 
For the vlogger-actress, it's an honor for her to star alongside the Unkabogable Star who has been long dubbed as the Queen of MMFF. 

“Very happy to be with the queen, sobra," she gushed. "Actually ako kasi, birthday ko Christmas so naging bonding talaga ng family ko ang manood kay Ate Vice. Kaya ‘yung makasama ko siya ang saya sa puso and even ‘yung buong family ko sobrang happy sila. Kasi sobrang I really, really love Ate Vice." 

Ivana also recalled that some of the most memorable moments on her birthday include spending it with her family while watching MMFF movies of Vice in cinemas. 

“Lagi ko rin nasasabi, kahit ang mama ko kung napapanood niyo, mahal na mahal namin siya and sa kanya kami tawang-tawa. Nalilimutan namin ang mga problems before, mga ano pa ako noon, 20-21. Ang saya-saya tapos ayun manonood kami ng MMFF. Pagkanood, kakain na kami sa labas. Kaya ang saya-saya ko 'pag birthday ko. I am happy at least this year, makakabalik ulit ng sinehan," she shared. 

Read related story: Vice, Ivana, director Cathy join forces to bring laughter in MMFF film 'Partners in Crime' 

The comedy movie, which will be helmed by Blockbuster Director Cathy Garcia-Molina, will revolve around an ex-couple who will meet again before figuring into a crime.  
While they have yet to start filming, Ivana is already looking forward to having fun and simply cherishing this "once in a lifetime opportunity" to work with the legends. 

“Gusto ko lang i-enjoy ito kasi it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to work with Ms. Vice Ganda and of course, Direk Cathy,” she said. 

You can watch the full story conference below: 

"Partners in Crime" is one of Star Cinema's entries at the MMFF 2022 along with Coco Martin and Jodi Sta. Maria's "Labyu with an Accent".