From Viral Success to Heartbreaking Struggles: The Untold Story of Diwata’s Paresan
DIWATA – A year after her rise to viral fame, Diwata bares the heartbreaking struggles she faced behind her once-booming pares business.
Online personality Deo Balbuena, better known as Diwata, sat down once again with veteran journalist Julius Babao to share updates about her journey. Diwata captured public attention last year when long queues formed at her eatery, Diwata Pares Overload, which quickly became one of the most talked-about food spots on social media.
However, behind the success, Diwata revealed the heartbreaking challenges she faced in managing her once-booming paresan. She admitted that, while her business appeared to thrive in the eyes of the public, she was silently battling problems caused by poor decisions and allegations of exploitation by certain individuals.
According to Diwata, some people approached her with an enticing proposal—to expand her brand by opening new branches, each requiring an investment of ₱300,000 plus royalty fees. At first, she thought it was the breakthrough she needed to lift herself out of poverty.
“Kinagat ko sila kasi ang ganda-ganda ng paliwanag nila na i-expand ‘yung Diwata Pares. Wala akong gagawin. Pangalan ko lang [ang gagamitin]. Ang mangyayari, tatanggap ng halimbawa sa isang branch ng ₱300,000 plus royalty fee. So, pumayag ngayon ako sa kagustuhan ko rin na makaahon sa kahirapan. Pero ang ending, wala talaga akong napala. Ako pa ‘yung nautangan,” she recalled.
Her voice broke as she detailed how she ended up shouldering the expenses herself, including rent and utilities, which she never expected to pay. “Nakakaiyak talaga. Ang laking halaga nun. ₱300K. Parang ‘yan ‘yung rent sa Quezon City branch. Kuryente. Parang ganoon ‘yung nakalagay sa file nung may-ari (lot owner). Ako talaga ang magbabayad. Wala akong kaalam-alam na ako ang magbabayad.”
The emotional toll was evident as she admitted, “So dahil nga obligado tayong magbayad, babayaran ko. Masama ang loob ko. Nautangan pa nila ako. Nakaka-disappoint lang talaga. Wala na nga akong kinita sa mga paresan ko tapos nautangan pa ako at magbabayad pa ako. Sobrang sakit para sa akin. Hindi naman ako mayaman. Alam niyo naman ‘yung journey ko sa buhay. Nagsikap lang ako.”
Diwata’s story serves as a painful reminder of the risks entrepreneurs face, especially when trust is misplaced in the pursuit of success.
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