Xian Gaza Drops Bombshell: Ivana Alawi Allegedly Had a Secret Romance with Politician Albee Benitez

Manila, Philippines — The world of Philippine showbiz is once again rocked by another explosive revelation, and this time, it involves two big names: actress-vlogger Ivana Alawi and businessman-turned-politician Albee Benitez. The source of the shocking claim? None other than controversial social media personality Xian Gaza, who has built a reputation for dropping scandalous stories about celebrities, whether substantiated or not.

In a now-viral Facebook post, Xian Gaza claimed that his “best friend forever,” Ivana Alawi, had a secret romantic relationship with Congressman Albee Benitez. According to him, the affair was never meant to see the light of day — until now.

Who Is Xian Gaza and Why Do His Claims Matter?

Xian Gaza is no stranger to controversy. Known for his flashy lifestyle, cryptic Facebook rants, and viral publicity stunts — including a billboard invitation to actress Erich Gonzales — Gaza has carved out a unique niche in the Philippine social media scene.

Despite his dubious reputation, his posts often gain massive traction, with netizens both loving and loathing his revelations. Over the years, he has released “exposés” on several high-profile celebrities, some of which have sparked media attention or legal threats.

This time, his target is Ivana Alawi — a fan-favorite actress and YouTube sensation with over 17 million subscribers and a squeaky-clean image — making the accusation all the more jarring.

The Alleged Secret Romance: What Xian Gaza Claimed

In his post, Gaza wrote:

“BFF ko si Ivana, pero minsan napapaisip ako… bakit never niyang ipinost si Albee kahit once? Hmmm. May dahilan talaga kung bakit dapat pribado ang ibang relasyon.”

He insinuated that Ivana and Albee had been “more than friends” for quite some time and suggested that the relationship was kept under wraps due to the politician’s public image and responsibilities.

He further claimed:

“Hindi lang ito dinner-date. May malalim na pinagsamahan. Hindi ko na kaya itago. Sorry na lang BFF!”

Screenshots of old photos and cryptic captions allegedly tied to their meetups were attached to the post, though none showed the two directly together.

Ivana Alawi’s Camp Responds: “Completely False”

Not long after the post went viral, Ivana’s management team released a short but firm statement:

“The claims made by Mr. Gaza are completely false and have no basis in fact. Ms. Alawi maintains her commitment to authenticity and transparency with her fans. We urge the public not to engage in the spread of misinformation.”

Ivana herself has yet to post a personal response on her social media platforms, but sources close to the actress say she is “disappointed” and “disturbed” by the false narrative being pushed online.

Who Is Albee Benitez?

Albee Benitez is a businessman and politician who has served as the representative of the 3rd District of Negros Occidental. He’s also the founder of Brightlight Productions, which has collaborated with several celebrities, including stars from ABS-CBN and TV5.

Known for his soft-spoken demeanor and involvement in entertainment production, Benitez has kept a relatively low profile when it comes to his personal life.

As of this writing, the politician has not issued any public statement regarding the alleged affair with Ivana Alawi.

Public Reaction: Mixed Emotions and Divided Opinions

As expected, Filipino netizens flooded social media with mixed reactions:

Some took Xian Gaza’s claims seriously and expressed disappointment in Ivana.
Others defended her fiercely, calling out Gaza for clout-chasing and defaming someone without evidence.
Several fans of both Ivana and Albee urged caution, saying no one should be judged based on unproven social media posts.

A viral tweet read:

“Xian Gaza thrives on chaos. Don’t believe everything he says. He lives for likes and shares.”

Another comment pointed out:

“Even if there was a relationship, that’s her personal life. Why is it anyone’s business?”

Is There Legal Action Ahead?

Legal experts say Ivana Alawi may have grounds to sue Gaza for defamation or cyber libel, depending on how the situation unfolds.

Attorney Maricel Gonzaga, a legal analyst, shared:

“If the statements made are proven to be false and damaging to reputation, and there is clear intent to malign, the party affected can file legal charges under the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.”

While Ivana has not expressed any intent to take legal action yet, many of her fans are urging her to do so to set a precedent against online defamation.

Xian Gaza’s Defense: “Just Telling the Truth”

In a follow-up post, Gaza doubled down on his statements, claiming:

“I have nothing to gain from this. I just felt the public deserved to know. Truth will always prevail.”

He also hinted that more details might come out if he is “forced” to defend himself.

Critics were quick to point out that Gaza has a history of stirring controversy to stay relevant, while supporters believe he may be exposing truths the public isn’t ready to hear.

The Bigger Picture: Privacy vs. Public Curiosity

This incident brings up the ongoing tension between celebrity privacy and public curiosity. When does “exposing the truth” cross the line into harassment or exploitation?

Ivana Alawi, as one of the most influential digital creators in the Philippines, has often chosen to keep her private life away from the spotlight. Her fans admire her for her humility, family values, and authenticity.

If the claims are indeed false, this could be a prime example of how misinformation can threaten even the most guarded public image.

Conclusion: Scandal or Senseless Gossip?

As of now, no solid proof has emerged to back Xian Gaza’s claims of a secret relationship between Ivana Alawi and Albee Benitez. Both parties have remained silent or denied involvement, while social media continues to debate what’s real and what’s fabricated.

Whether this is a baseless rumor or a real-life secret finally exposed, one thing remains clear: in the age of virality, the line between fact and fiction has never been blurrier.

As fans wait for further developments, the ultimate question remains: should we believe everything we read — or start questioning the motives of those who claim to reveal the “truth”?