“What Hafen Vella?” The Viral Comeback of Cristopher Diwata
CRISTOPHER DIWATA – The internet celebrity popularly known for his viral line “What hafen Vella?” has now taken a new step in his journey to fame as a brand endorser for Shopee and Mang Inasal.
Once recognized mainly for his brief appearance on television, Diwata is now enjoying a resurgence in popularity, thanks to the internet’s renewed love for his unintentionally humorous performance from years ago. His viral lines, originally delivered in broken English with dramatic flair, have earned him a second wave of recognition and opened doors to endorsements and collaborations.
Shopee featured Cristopher in its May 15 Payday Sale advertisement, where he recreated his famous monologue with the same unique delivery that made him a meme icon. Mang Inasal also showcased him in a social media post, capitalizing on his viral fame to connect with audiences. This unexpected return to the spotlight proves how powerful and unpredictable internet trends can be—especially when old clips resurface and resonate with a new generation of viewers.
Cristopher Diwata first appeared on national television in 2013 as a contestant in “It’s Showtime: Kalokalike,” an impersonation segment where participants performed as celebrity lookalikes. Diwata chose to imitate Taylor Lautner, specifically his character Jacob Black from the Twilight series. In his performance, Diwata delivered a self-written skit in which he confronted an imaginary Bella Swan and dramatically called out Edward Cullen—blending passion with flawed English pronunciation that unintentionally sparked laughter.
Though he didn’t win the contest, Cristopher’s performance stood out. His line, “What hafen Vella? Why you crying again? I know… vamfire, rayts?” resurfaced online more than a decade later and became a viral meme. Celebrities like Kyline Alcantara, Andrea Brillantes, and members of SB19 joined the trend, recreating the iconic scene. Fans even flocked to actor Taylor Lautner’s TikTok, urging him to participate.
Today, Cristopher is embracing his renewed fame by re-performing his skit online and engaging with fans through personalized shoutouts. From a humble fish dealer in Bataan to an internet personality and brand endorser, Cristopher Diwata proves that sometimes, humor and authenticity—even unintentional—can lead to unexpected success.