Fans delighted after man behind 'What hafen vella' trend appears in advertisements
Social media users couldn't contain their excitement for Cristopher Diwata—the man behind the viral "What hafen vella" trend—after they learned that he served as an endorser for several big brands thanks to his new-found fame.
In case you're late to the party, Diwata is currently taking over the internet after his impersonation of Taylor Lautner in It's Showtime's segment Kalokalike received new attention, sparking hundreds of memes and jokes online.
Fans were delighted when Diwata became an endorser of e-commerce platform Shopee. In their advertisement for their Payday Sale, Diwata once again delivered his iconic skit that pays homage to Lautner's werewolf character Jacob Black from the Twilight films, but tailored some of his lines to fit Shopee’s ad.
"What hafen vestie? Watchu buying again? I know, Payday right? I'm sure you buy again," Diwata said.
@shopee_ph “What hafen, Vestie?” Don't miss the ₱1,000 OFF vouchers this Payday, Vestie! #CheckShopeeFirst for hourly ₱1,000 OFF vouchers and 0% interest with #SPayLater on ALL items 🛒 SHOP NOW: https://s.shopee.ph/3VXh5zpmMQ #ShopeePaydaySale #ShopeePH ♬ original sound - Shopee Philippines
But that's not all, as fast food chain Mang Inasal had also posted an advertisement starring Diwata as he did a video for them in his Taylor Lautner impersonation.
"What hafen vella? Why u crying again? I know, vamfayr rayt? Vamfayr wil feyt to me! Edward!" he said before taking a bite out of Mang Inasal's signature grilled chicken. "Sorry, Edward. Sorry vella, this chicken is mine."
"Ang sarap. Mang Inasal feyt to me. So juicy, so destiny," he added.
@manginasalph OH YES!! We saw your tags on TikTok, Ka-Unli!☺️🙌 Pero seryoso… @what hafen vella LAKBAY DIWATA ♬ original sound - Mang Inasal PH
"OH YES!! We saw your tags on TikTok, Ka-Unli! Pero seryoso… @what hafen vella LAKBAY DIWATA, Mang Inasal Chicken Inasal ba talaga ’yan o Inasal Burger?" Mang Inasal said in their caption.
The advertisements don't stop there, as Diwata entered a partnership with home appliance brand Astron Appliances PH.
In the video, Diwata could be seen in an appliance store saying his lines before turning his attention towards a staff member named "Edward."
"Edward! What are you doing here? I trusted u to protik Vella, but you did not! I will sure you die, Edward! I will sure you die!" he shouted as he began shaking the staff member before the latter stopped him and asked if he was going to buy something.
Diwata then stopped harassing him and said, "Ay opo. Can you assist me, Edward?"
His version of the Twilight theme song A Thousand Years then played in the background as he was shown perusing some of the appliances.
@diwatacristopher04gmail What hafen vella? Why u crying again? I know, init ryts? Astron is fit to me!! @astronappliancesph ♬ original sound - what hafen vella LAKBAY DIWATA
In the comments section, many of his fans couldn't help but be proud about the opportunities he's been getting more than a decade after his performance on Kalokalike in 2013.
"Look at him, matagal na siyang sumali sa Showtime and unheard of for how many years pero he is now getting that bag because of the video that was taken years ago," one user said.
Another commented, "Angat buhay talaga. Kaya keep calm and trust the process. Even if it takes 10+ years."
Diwata, who works as a fish dealer, told TV Patrol that his sudden fame really helped him get back on his feet again financially.
"Sa totoo lang, napakarami ko po talaga utang. Pero nung dumating po 'yun, marami pong nag-offer sa akin ngayon. Nakakabawas po ako, nakakaahon," he said. "Sa totoo lang, dati pa po, gusto ko po talaga maging actor. Action star."
Diwata is currently doing shoutouts on TikTok wherein he changes "vella" to names of users in the comments and gives them a short message.
