We can all arguably agree that Ivana Alawi and her family are living the life many of us are dreaming of. They have the fame that others aspire for, the fortunes that allow them to live a comfortable life and extend help to others, and, most importantly, a tightly bonded family that some of us probably wish to have, which we’re able to get a glimpse of through their vlogs.

However, before they get to savor everything they have at present, the Alawi family used to have a simple life, as what they’ve been telling us in their vlogs. And finally, we’re able to get a more vivid picture of the life they had before through her latest vlog, wherein she and her younger sister and their Mama Fatima revisited the place where they used to live – in Bacood, Sta. Mesa, Manila.

As what they disclosed before, their family used to live a wealthy life in Bahrain, where their mom met their Moroccan dad. But when they had a severe fall out, Mama Alawi decided to go back to the Philippines and left Ivana and her two older siblings to their Papa Samier. Missing their mom so much, Ivana asked her Papa to book her a flight to Manila and she was able to fly solo at eight years old. She enjoyed her stay here and never left ever since.

“Dumating din kami sa point na we really had to work hard and our mom had to raise us on her own. After few years, bumalik din ‘yong dad namin at tumulong din siya sa buhay namin…Nawala si dad for a while and this was our life, and it was really fun. It was something na ine-enjoy ko and trine-treasure ko, kaya babalikan natin ‘yong panahon na ‘yon at isasama namin kayo,” she said in the beginning of the video.

It was where Mama Alawi came from, so she decided to go back there when she and her husband had a misunderstanding many years ago. It was also where Mona was born and where they lived for around seven months, when Ivana was between 8 to 15 years old.

Far from the lavish life they’re enjoying at present, they actually used to have a simple yet fun life in Bacood. Ivana recalled getting poked by a barbecue stick while playing on the street, eating streetfoods, and getting frightened by flying cockroaches. Mona, on the other hand, shared befriending the vendor of a merienda stall, who gave her a free cup of melon juice in exchange for helping sell banana cue.

Mama Alawi was able to spot the chandelier that was given to them by her late ex-husband and she passed it on to the new owners of the second house where they used to live. It’s a two-story apartment with two bedrooms in the second floor. Ivana showed to us the room of her Ate Amira. Since they allowed her to have a tour inside the house, she gave the current tenant a whopping 35,000 pesos.

They also dropped by the store where they used to get credit from every time they’re financially strapped and gave the store owner 10,000 pesos. In front of it is a basketball court where Ivana used to perform, according to Mona.

At the third and final house where they used to live before leaving Bacood, they got reunited with the barangay chairman who brought her to the hospital when her eyebrow got severely cut. The house was the biggest among the places they lived in in that area, since their hardworking Mama had multiple side hustles and she and Mona already started earning money from their respective jobs.

Framed throwback photos of them were seen hanging on the wall, but it was her old picture that her dad used to display at his condominium where he lived every time he’s here in the Philippines. This prompted her and her mom to recount some of her unforgettable childhood memories when they were still living in Bahrain.

“Masaya naman din dati sa Bahrain. Pero no’ng nakapunta ako ng Pilipinas, mas nag-enjoy ako dito kahit simple ‘yong buhay, kahit hinding-hindi malaki ‘yong bahay namin katulad ng bahay namin sa Bahrain. Mas nag-enjoy ako rito kasi nakikita kong masaya si Mama, tapos nakikita kong ang saya-saya rito. ‘Yong mga kapitbahay, ‘yong mga laro-laro namin sa labas,” she imparted.

They showed the bedrooms where they slept together in order to save electricity and she and Mona shot their old pictures and videos. Ivana also recalled that it was where she broke up with a boyfriend and where she and Mona were able to create memorable and funny memories together.

Despite already having a huge and gorgeous home, they revealed that they continue to lease this house because her mom refuses to give it up. Before leaving, they gave a total of 30,000 pesos to the people there.

They swung by the bakery where they used to buy their favorite breads and treated the onlookers with free binatog, kwek kwek, and other street foods. Mama Alawi also got reunited with some of her old friends who still live there.

Indeed, Ivana and her family are able to prove the oft-quoted Filipino adage, “Ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan, hindi makakarating sa paroroonan” with how they take pride in the humble life they used to have before getting to where they are at present.