'What hafen, Vella?': Cristopher Diwata grateful for financial relief his virality brings

GMA Network

17-05-2025

"What hafen, Vella?" The internet has been buzzing nonstop over a throwback performance that has netizens in stitches, even over a decade after the fact.
In 2013, Cristopher Diwata from Orion, Bataan joined the It's Showtime segment 'Kalokalike' as Taylor Lautner's 'Twilight' character, Jacob Black.
Recently, his impersonation performance resurfaced and quickly made a spot in Philippine internet's hall of fame for memes. TikTok users and even celebrities have been dubbing and recreating his iconic lines: 'What hafen, Vella? Why you cryin' again? I know, vampire, right? Vampire will feyt to me.'
In an interview with GMA News Online, Cristopher said that he was a third-year college student when he joined the segment, and had just made a quick search on the internet to prepare for his performance. He improvised his now-iconic lines.
'Naghanap ako sa YouTube. 'Yung pag-click ko na naghanap ako, lumabas 'yon. 'Yun na agad yung prinactice ko kasi [kailangan] mabilisan, madalian. Kaya nung prinactice ko 'yun, kung ano lang masabi ko, 'yun na 'yun,' he said.
Cristopher's initial fame
After his performance in 2013, Cristopher landed some guestings and earned some money.
'Napagpalit ko po 'yung pag-aaral ko dahil sa kumikita na ako. Akala ko pang matagalan. Huminto ako at hindi ko na siya natapos,' he admitted.
The gigs did not last, and his initial fame faded.
Despite having had some recognition then, the reality behind appearing on TV was different from what many might assume.
'Naranasan ko sa Manila, kasi alam naman natin magastos noon nung sumusubok pa lang ako at pinipilit ko na makapasok sa showbiz, tumira ako dito. Halos naranasan ko dito na mawalan ng pera, maging palaboy, nasa basurahan na, kailangan ko pang kainin,' he said.
He had to hide the harsh reality from his family because he saw they were happy knowing that he was pursuing his dreams.
'Kasama ko po 'yung best friend ko noon… wala na kaming pera, siyempre nangungupahan kami, wala na kaming pera, wala na kaming pagkain. Nakakita kami ng sinaing…hinanap namin, hinalukay namin ulit 'yung basurahan at ginawa namin ulit 'yun. Ta's 'yun, naka-survive kami nung araw na 'yon,' he said.
Cristopher did not imagine that more than a decade later, his TV performance would become a hit again.
'Parang nakakilabot eh no?' he said. 'Hindi ko siya inisip. Hindi ko akalain na 'yung ginawa ko na 'yun, siyang magbu-boom ngayon kaya malaking pasasalamat at malaking pagkagulat ang nangyari.'
Life before going TikTok viral
The 35-year-old Cristopher is a fish dealer in Bataan, but it's been a year since he had to stop, because his business has been struggling, leading him into debt.
In this challenging period, his wife, Ronalyn Diwata, has become the primary provider for their family. They have two kids together, an eight-year-old boy and a two-year-old girl.
Cristopher and Ronalyn have been married for nine years.
The secret, according to Cristopher, for a long-lasting marriage lies within love, understanding, and care for the children.
'Hangga't nagsasama kayo, ibig sabihin nagmamahalan kayo, nagkakaunawaan kayo. Kahit nagsisigawan kayo araw-araw, part na 'yun ng pagmamahalaan niyo. Kumbaga, nasa inyo na 'yun. Kaya sa mga nagsasama diyan, mga kaunting hirap lang, huwag kayong susuko. Huwag kayong bibitaw. Ang lagi niyong isipin, mga anak ninyo dahil diyan lang kayo kakapit,' he said.
It was Ronalyn who informed him that he had gone viral again.
But despite the many shoutout requests, Cristopher the extent of his renewed virality hasn't sunk in even now.
'Hanggang ngayon parang hindi ko siya ma-feel. Mas maganda 'yung enjoy lang. Laruin mo lang ang buhay ngayon. Ganun din naman eh. Same lang din dati,' he said.
Among those who took on the trend was SB19's Pablo, who stood out to Cristopher because of his delivery.
'Naalala ko talaga na mabangis talaga magsalita, SB19,' he said. 'Maganda. Ang ganda ng pagkaka-deliver tsaka 'yung boses.'
Financial relief thanks to partnerships
Cristopher's unexpected second wave of fame has provided him substantial financial relief.
He has since been tapped by many brands to appear on their social media ads, and the partnership requests continue to arrive, allowing him to pay off debts and support his family.
Contrary to many concerns of supporters who worry that he might be underpaid, Cristopher said that the payment he receives from brands is good enough for him.
''Yung sa mga concern, at alam ko sumusuporta kayo sa akin, salamat po. Pero sa bayad, dati nga sanay ako nang wala. Dati nga wala, ta's ngayon, meron. Kaya kahit maliit man 'yan, tatanggapin ko 'yan. Iga-grab ko 'yan kahit maliit. Sana sa mga nag-aalala sa akin, huwag niyong intindihin 'yun at mas maganda 'yung meron kaysa sa wala.'
He hopes his experience can be an inspiration to others not to focus solely on high earnings but to appreciate what they receive.
'Goods naman po talaga. Sapat para sa akin. Sa pagkakakilala ko sa sarili ko, sapat siya. Kung anong kakayahan ko, 'yun 'yon,' he said.
He also sometimes receives donations from followers who ask for shoutouts.
'Ako, bilang pamilyado, tatanggapin ko po. Aminado po ako at wala po akong itatago at wala po akong kailangan pong itago dahil hindi po nakakahiya ang ginagawa ko. Pinagpapaguran ko po lahat ng nakukuha ko po ngayon sa akin,' Christopher said.
Showbiz dreams
Cristopher hopes that he may finally continue his dreams of entering showbiz.
'Hangga't kaya, iga-grab ko. Kahit na lagariin ko 'yan nang tatlong beses, tumalon-talon ako, lalagariin ko 'yan,' he said.
He dreams of working with his idols, Kapuso Primetime King and Queen Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera.
However, Cristopher has no plans of joining 'Kalokalike' again, should there be a new season.
'Pagbibigyan ko naman po 'yung iba. Bibigyan ko ng chance 'yung iba naman na sa kanila naman na magkaroon din ng pangalan,' he said.
Above all, Cristopher has nothing but gratitude for the support he is receiving.
He assures his followers that he will continue giving out personalized shoutouts through his TikTok.
'Hindi ako magsasawa. Lahat kayo iisa-isahin ko kahit na sa kaliit-liitan. Kaya sana maghintay lang kayo. Magra-random ako lagi. Iisa-isahin ko po 'yun,' he promised. —JCB, GMA Integrated News