“Why you crying again?…”
If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok recently, chances are you’ve come across the now-iconic audio: “What hafen Vella?” With that phrase alone, Cristopher Diwata, the Taylor Lautner kalokalike from It’s Showtime’s Kalokalike Face 2: Level Up” back in 2013, has made an unexpected return to the spotlight.
A decade may have passed, but thanks to the algorithm gods and a bit of nostalgia, Cristopher’s skit is trending once again, gaining millions of views and inspiring countless meme-worthy recreations from fans and celebrities. Even artists like Ben&Ben and Piolo Pascual have jumped in on the fun. The viral moment? A dramatic impersonation of Twilight’s Jacob Black, complete with a ripped tank top and a passionate performance of “A Thousand Years.”
But what has life been like for Cristopher since then? And how does he feel about being famous—again?
Staying Humble with the Simplest of Dreams
Despite the sudden wave of attention, Cristopher remains deeply grounded. When asked about going viral again, his reaction was chill as he shared that he did not yet feel the fame, at all! Turns out, he has learned to manage his expectations and reactions.
Back in 2013, Cristopher joined “Kalokalike” after friends and classmates pointed out his uncanny resemblance to Taylor Lautner, fresh off the Twilight saga’s massive success. Though he hadn’t even seen the movies at first, he quickly studied Jacob Black’s character, mimicking his looks and lines to impress judges, and soon enough, the nation.
That now-viral line? A product of on-the-spot improvisation. With no costume or script in hand, Cristopher scrambled to find inspiration online before stepping on stage; and the rest, as they say, is viral history.
While his “Kalokalike” performance opened doors to gigs and acting stints, fame was quick and fleeting. Cristopher juggled part-time work and school but eventually had to give up his college studies due to frequent absences. He was close to finishing his degree in Secondary Education, majoring in Mathematics as he wanted to become a teacher.
Those years were tough, filled with side hustles, nightlife, and sacrifices. He moved to Manila hoping to chase his dreams of becoming an action star, but it wasn’t always enough to make ends meet.
A New Chapter: Family, Fish, and Focus
Everything changed when he met his wife in 2015. Now a proud father of two, Cristopher lives a modest life in Bataan as a fish dealer—buying and selling fresh catch to provide for his family.
“Everything I do is for them,” he said, holding back tears. “Even when I’m in Manila now, working, I only keep just enough money for myself. The rest, I’ll send back home.”he shared during one of his interviews with ABS-CBN.
It’s this raw honesty and humility that have won over the hearts of netizens all over again.
While he’s not counting on viral fame to last forever, Cristopher remains hopeful. His dream? A role in Coco Martin’s “Batang Quiapo,” even a short scene, would be a dream come true, such as being shot by Coco Martin on screen.
For now, Cristopher is booked and busy with shoots and guestings, taking on the wave of internet stardom once more. But no matter where it takes him, he’s keeping both feet on the ground.
Cristopher Diwata’s story is a reminder that sometimes, all it takes is one viral moment to revive a dream. But staying grounded? That’s the real flex. So, amidst all, stay humble, Sugboanons!
