'Vamfyr' Is Not Forever, So Christopher Diwata is Riding The Wave As Long As He Can

A week since his resurgence, he has collaborated with Ben&Ben and SB19, and promoted over 30 brands: a running list that includes mobile apps and restaurants, as well as wrinkle creams and fertilizers. “Uubusin ko ang brands sa Manila,” he says with a laugh, “basta wag sugal.” Clearly, he is navigating his public image with caution. 

Back in 2013, at just 23, Diwata experienced his first brush with fame. He found out it was fleeting; slipped away almost as quickly as it came.

On the day of the show, he came out onstage as a spitting image of Black. Wearing a leather jacket and only minimal foundation, he had the same deep-set brown eyes, squinted stare, sharply defined jaw, and sculpted physique that could rival the celebrity heartthrob…until he opened his mouth. 

“Wha haffen Vella?” he began, “Why you crying agen? I know. Vamfayr right? Vamfayr will feyt to me!” 

He may have possessed the striking presence of a Hollywood star but Diwata’s thick accent carried an everyman realness. With dramatic flair, he then stripped off his clothing, revealing a sculpted eight-pack before launching into Christina Perri’s "A Thousand Years." The impassioned delivery, mispronounced English, and unexpected singing made for an unintentionally hilarious performance. 

“Never ako na-pikon,” he says as he looks back at that now-iconic performance. “Hindi ba mas nakakatawa pa na yung mistake mo yung ikaka-sikat mo?”

“Sa pamilya po namin, di po kami nakatikim ng karangyaan,” he tells SPOT. In school, he was an active choir member and also took part in folk dance performances. His idols were Richard Gutierrez, Dingdong Dantes and Coco Martin. He dreamt of being an action star. 

After the It’s Showtime stint, Diwata signed with a manager who gave him a screen name: Jacob Brown. He then became semi-regular on a TV show, the 2014 drama Confessions of a Torpe, starring Ogie Alcasid. But as quickly as he rose to fame, his downfall followed just as fast. 

When the show ended, he had no other offers, which found the young man at the twilight of his acting career. 

In the next 10 years, he sought employment in real estate, then as a clerk at a budget hotel chain, and finally as a staff at a home depot center. Eventually, he met his wife and relocated to Bataan where he is now raising his family of four. Needing a more lucrative source of income, Diwata returned to fish dealing. But for fun, he started a YouTube channel with two friends. Together, they visit cemeteries and create horror content. 

“Nung una, na-disappoint ako. Masakit na nawala na lang lahat,” recalls Diwata. But with the disappointment came a lesson: “Ganoon pala sa artista, hindi laging mataas. Minsan bababa rin. Kaya ine-enjoy ko ‘pag kaya ko lahat ng request. Laban lang nang laban. Kasi pwedeng bukas, mawala ulit lahat.”

Without hesitation, Diwata, now 35, made his way back to Manila. Ten years since his It’s Showtime stint, age has curved his edges but he can still pass for Lautner, or at least his lookalike. 

This time around, Diwata has a clearer idea of how he wants to navigate his career. He has turned down multiple offers to be managed because he wants to take charge. He said having a manager comes with many restrictions. Knowing what he knows now about fame, he wants to maximize the limited time. 

These days, he barely gets any sleep. He fits up to four engagements a day in his schedule, regardless if they’re paying gigs or not. “Ine-enjoy ko lang po,” he says. He suggests a rate, sends over his bank details, but doesn’t keep a record of transactions. “Kung tumawad, okey lang rin,” he explains. “Lahat naman may balik. Baka nga mas marami pang dumating sa akin na blessing kaysa ‘yung hindi nila i-bayad sa ‘kin. Hindi naman lahat pera.” 

He knows people will have things to say about how he's handling his celebrity. “Sana maintindihan na lang ng mga tao na tinatanggap ko lahat ng offer para makaipon para sa mga anak ko,” he says. “Hindi ito dahil lang sa pangarap ko...May kailangan akong buhayin.” 

His virality has been extended because of brand partnerships. One of his first and biggest collaborators is Shopee. The e-commerce marketplace engaged him for its Payday Sale campaign, where he used an iteration of his Twilight-inspired monologue. “His humor is accessible and distinctly Filipino,” said Simoun Ferrer, head of brand and community of Shopee Philippines. The collaboration, he said, resulted in awareness, engagement, but also “cultural relevance." 

“Diwata’s content helped Shopee connect with Filipino audiences in an authentic and timely way. His signature line, ‘Wha haffen Vella,’ became a pop culture moment, and tapping into that moment allowed us to bring joy to our users.” 

T-shirt brand Linya-Linya also engaged Diwata for a video reel, but they’ve also taken the collaboration a step further by designing a website-exclusive "I Know, Vamfire, Right?" shirt whose proceeds they will share.

“At a time when social media can feel toxic, he was a breath of fresh air—genuine, funny, and kind,” said Ali Sangalang, the creative director of t-shirt brand Linya-Linya. “The Taylor Lautner Kalokalike may have gone viral, but what really drew us in was his sincerity.” Sangalang added, “[The collaboration] became a way for his fans to show love and support, and for us to champion someone whose rise (and sakses!) feels both unlikely and totally deserved.”

This likability, coupled with his drive to maximize all the opportunities he has in this limited time, has turned the guy from Bataan into a marketing king. Not only is he aware of his ephemeral fame, he has extended it. He's learned how to make various versions of his monologue to fit different brands, and each take continues to amuse the public.

“Christopher’s success as a brand promoter is all about his perfect timing, and his preparation when his time finally came,” said Via Villafuerte, founder of Oddefy Agency which has also worked with Diwata. “We all love an adorable, imperfect, underdog guy to root for. That’s exactly what he is. His appeal cuts across genres and generations.”

There’s a sense of joy in rediscovering people who once captured attention, even in the most random ways. Diwata’s humility and dedication to work make him even more endearing. 

“Alam kong hindi magtatagal, kaya kung mauubos ko na ang brands sa Manila bago ito matapos, eh di mabuti,” he says with a laugh. “Sana wag muna matapos, pero pag matapos eh di pwede na ako matulog.” 

Vampires are eternal—virality is not. At the moment, Diwata wakes up with an awareness that he is getting closer to the day he needs to pack up and go home. He is saving money so that when the hype dies, he has capital for his business when he returns to dealing fish. Until then, he’s living the life of a star: basking in the glow of virality, determined to ride its brilliance, until the next twilight sets in.