Behind the 'What Hafen Vella' Meme is a Dad with a Dream
That clip—once buried in the YouTube archives—would go on to be the basis of a viral meme a decade later.
They say the Internet never forgets. But in this man’s case? It didn’t just remember. It went full throwback Thursday and made him viral all over again.
You’ve probably heard the phrase by now. Maybe your teen said it under their breath while scrolling TikTok. Maybe it popped up in a skit next to a dance trend. Or maybe you saw it sandwiched between reels about gentle parenting and celebrity chismis. One way or another, the words have likely smacked you in the face: “What hafen, Vella?”
A phrase so confusing, so oddly satisfying, you can’t help but laugh.
So, who said it?
Cristopher Diwata aka that guy from 2013 who did a Twilight-inspired impersonation of Jacob Black on It’s Showtime’s “Kalokalike Face 2: Level Up.” At the time, it was peak local TV novelty—funny and famous.
But social media has a way of dusting off the forgotten and giving it a full-blown revival arc.
Fast forward to 2025 and boom—Cristopher is back. Not as just some guy who used to look like Taylor Lautner, but as the face (and voice) behind one of the year’s most unintentionally iconic TikTok audios.
His delivery? Now reenacted by influencers, comedians, and even celebs.
What started as a cringe-y moment reborn into comedy has surprisingly transformed into a real moment of connection. Because behind the viral voice line is a dad, a husband, and someone who’s been grinding quietly for years.
But beyond the comedy and the catchy delivery lies something much more grounded. Cristopher’s story isn’t just a funny comeback tale. It’s a real look into what happens after your 15 minutes of fame, what you do when the cameras stop rolling, and how you show up as a father, a husband, and a provider—long after the applause fades.
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This is a story about second chances. About resilience. About the kind of everyday parenthood that doesn’t get millions of likes, but deserves every bit of recognition.
In our exclusive convo with Cristopher for theAsianparent Philippines, we go beyond the meme. He opens up about what life’s really been like—how he kept going, how he shows up for his family, and what it’s like to live in a world where your past suddenly becomes your present… again.
Talaan ng Nilalaman
The ‘What Hafen Vella?’ Phenomenon
If you’re a parent wondering why your kid keeps yelling “What hafen, Vella?” out of nowhere, don’t worry, you’re not the only confused adult in the room.
Cristopher’s now-iconic impersonation of Taylor Lautner’s Jacob from Twilight, complete with heavily Filipino-accented English, suddenly resurfaced on TikTok, racking up millions of views. Content creators, celebrities, and even Taylor Lautner himself joined in.
Source: It’s Showtime
As of this writing, Cristopher’s account has over 127,80+ followers and 6.8 million likes, with brand deals and collabs rolling in. But behind the funny voiceovers is a story of someone who once got a taste of the limelight and then quietly went back to real life.
Cristopher’s sudden resurgence also came with new opportunities. He has since collaborated with artists like Ben&Ben and SB19, done guestings with Sparkle stars, and worked with big names like Barbie Forteza, Kyline Alcantara, and TikTok star Abi Marquez.
The viral “What Hafen Vella?” trend also caught the attention of celebrities like Bela Padilla, Jason Dy, and musical power couple KZ Tandingan and TJ Monterde. P-pop idols from BINI (Maloi, Aiah, and Mikha) and BGYO (Gelo, Nate, and JL) joined in, adding their own spin to the now-iconic line.
Even Filipina beauty queens proved they could ride the trend—Miss Grand International 2024 1st Runner-Up CJ Opiaza, Miss Reina Hispanoamericana 2025 Dia Mate, Miss Universe Philippines 2025 Ahtisa Manalo, Pasig’s Lexi Eugenio, and 2nd Runner-Up Yllana Aduana all posted their hilarious takes.
His skit was even reenacted by father-son duo Piolo and Iñigo Pascual, cementing his status as a pop culture fixture once again.
Life in Bataan
Before “What hafen Vella?” became a national inside joke, before the viral TikToks, and before celebrities reenacted his lines—Cristopher Diwata was just a teenager with a dream, a deep gym habit, and a striking resemblance to Taylor Lautner.
He grew up in Orion, Bataan, living what he described as a quiet, simple life. “Kung hindi ako nasa bahay, nasa school po ako o sa gym,” he shared in his interview with ABS-CBN.
And the gym? That wasn’t just a hobby. It was a lifestyle.
Source: Starmometer
“Halos hindi po ako pumapalya,” Cristopher said proudly, estimating he only skipped working out two or three times in an entire year.
‘Uy, Kamukha Mo Si Jacob!’
It was 2013, and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 had just wrapped up the vampire-werewolf global craze. Cristopher’s friends started pointing out the resemblance. “Mga taga sa amin at mga kaklase ko,” he said. “Napanood nila ang Twilight. Kasi pinapalabas pa po sa sine ’yan noon. Nu’ng binanggit nila sa akin, sinubukan ko po.”
Interestingly, he hadn’t even seen the film at that point. “Bago po ako sumali po noon, pinanood ko po muna,” he explained. He quickly noticed the uncanny resemblance.
Source: Google Images
“Parehas kami lubog ’yung mata. ’Yung kilay, halos parehas. Sa korte ng mukha.” Then, laughing at himself with the self-deprecating humor that would later win over millions online, he clarified, “Dati po ha! Hindi po ngayon.”
Cristopher auditioned for Kalokalike and got the callback. But there was no glamorous preparation—just a mad scramble to figure things out.
“Kunwari nag-audition po ako ngayon. Tapos nu’ng sinabi nila na ‘salang na ’yan,’ naaligaga po ako. Wala akong dalang damit, wala akong costume.” So, like any determined Gen Z or Millennial would do, he turned to Google.
“Naghanap ako ng dialogue niya na talagang sa tingin ko po na p’wede, na parang galit na galit siya, na kaya ko siyang bigkasin. So ’yun, pinag-aralan ko po siya that day. Tapos salang na po agad. Kaya ganoon po ’yung kinalabasan ng salita,” he said, choosing the most dramatic, emotionally intense lines he could memorize quickly.
Not a Werewolf, Pero Pwede Na!
And then? He went for it—shirtless, confident, and fully committed to the bit. He tore off his tank top on stage, mimicking Lautner’s wolf transformation, and sang A Thousand Years by Christina Perri, straight from the Twilight soundtrack.
“Kasi nakita ko sa kanya noon, ’yung naging wolf siya, hinubad niya… E hindi naman po ako magiging wolf. Ang sabi ko baka maganda kung sirain ko na lang. Kaya ’yun, sinira ko siya at pumatok noon.”
…Then Everything Changed
Source: Facebook/It’s Showtime
The performance was over the top, emotional, and weirdly unforgettable. Cristopher described the moment as a blur.
“Kung ano lang po ‘yung lumabas, ‘yun na po talaga,” he shrugged.
But it worked. That clip—once buried in the YouTube archives—would go on to be the basis of a viral meme a decade later.
For a while, Cristopher soaked in the attention. It was surreal. Suddenly, he was appearing at mall shows, flying across the country, even getting recognized in public. But there was a catch. “Dati, halos habulin ko ’yung kasikatan ko,” he admitted in a later reflection. “Hirap na hirap po ako eh. Halos magutom ako, mawalan ako ng pera.”
Realities of Chasing Fame Post-It’s Showtime
Source: Coverstory.ph
After his It’s Showtime stint, Cristopher took on gigs and appearances across the country. “Napunta po ako sa kung saan-saang sulok ng Pilipinas,” he shared. He even got to ride an airplane for the first time—something that would’ve been unthinkable for him growing up.
But fame came at a price. Cristopher was in his third year of a Secondary Education degree, majoring in Mathematics. Cristopher loved math, but he joked that English wasn’t his thing.
“Kaya po ’yung English, wala pong hilig sa’kin.”
Then came the consequence. “Nabagsak po ako ng teacher dahil nga po lagi ako absent,” he shared. Even special exams couldn’t save his grades.
“Kahit mag-special exam po, hindi na po siya uubra.”
So he pivoted to full-time gigs. He chased roles, joined indie films. Eventually, Cristopher rented a small place in Manila to pursue acting gigs. His dream? To be an action star. But gigs were inconsistent and the money barely covered rent, let alone food and bills. He recalled how, at his lowest, he considered borrowing money just to get by.
Source: Instagram/cristopherdiwata_
“Waldas dito, waldas doon. Ganu’n po ang naging buhay ko noon. Natuto akong mag-inom kahit hindi po ako talaga umiinom,” he admitted. “May time halos wala akong pera. Ni hindi ko na makilala si Jose Rizal sa piso dahil wala akong hawak.”
“Halos mangutang ako sa iba,” he said.
On Love and Turning Points
In 2015, during the shoot of an indie film, Cristopher met Rona, who was then working with the production team. “Liligawan kita,” he told her early on. “’Pag tayo na, mas makikilala mo ako.”
The relationship blossomed, and by 2016, they were married. Together, they now raise two children: Jacob and Quinn.
Source: Facebook/Rona Valencia Diwata
Asked what he learned from his wife, Cristopher was candid. “Nagkakamali naman talaga ang lalaki. Pero siya, matiisin para sa pamilya. ‘Yan ang natutunan ko sa kanya.”
He said he wasn’t the most expressive partner, but he shows love through presence and effort. “Hindi ako ‘yung showy, pero ’pag nagma-mall kami, sinasama ko siya. Kahit wala kaming maibili, kasama siya palagi.”
Fatherhood in Focus
Cristopher’s two children are his pride and joy. And yes, naming his son Jacob was a nod to the role that changed his life.
As a father, Cristopher is deeply hands-on. “Napapaliguan ko siya nang maayos, nasasabay ko siya sa akin pagligo,” he said about raising Jacob. With his daughter Quinn, he takes a gentler approach. “Ang babae naman, siyempre sa nanay siya. Pero gusto ko, hanggang bata, magalang ang anak ko.”
He doesn’t spank his kids. Instead, he uses calm authority. “’Yung isang pasuwit lang, susunod na agad sila. Isang kunot pa lang ng kilay, alam na nila anong ibig sabihin ko.”
He adds, “Minsan lang magiging bata ‘yan. Sulitin niyo ang pagiging ama niyo.”
A Provider’s Heart
Cristopher works as a fish dealer in Bataan when he’s not in Manila doing endorsements or shoots. “Ako po ay simpleng tao lang,” he said. “Namamakyaw ako ng isda. ’Pag walang isda, nasa bahay lang ako, nag-aalaga ng bata.”
Every peso he earns, he sends to his family. “Minsan wala akong ititira para sa sarili ko. Pero sanay na ako. Basta sa kanila lahat.”
His dream is for his children to finish school—something he wasn’t able to do. “Sana danasin nila ’yung hawak nila ’yung diploma nila. Na kung mag-abroad man sila, alam kong kakayanin nila.”
So he saves. “’’Yung mga iniipon ko, sinasabi ko ipunin niyo, kasi malakas ang gastos sa pangarap.”
Balancing Content Creation and ‘Tatay’ Duties
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Cristopher is back in the spotlight — but this time, he knows better than to chase fame blindly. As soon as he arrived in Manila, the pace shifted. Offers poured in. His phone wouldn’t stop ringing. It was as if the industry had suddenly remembered him all at once.
He didn’t even have time to unpack. He made it clear to his family: he might not be coming home for a while.
“Pagdating ko pa lang sa Manila, pinaunawa ko na na halos hindi ako makakauwi. Marami na agad offers.”
Even with back-to-back shoots and sudden fame, he stays grounded. He still carves out time to check in with home. Not because it’s convenient, but because it matters. The calls may be short, but they’re constant. That thread of connection is one he refuses to let go of.
Despite his schedule, he still finds time to call home. “Hindi ako sobrang busy na wala akong oras. Kahit papaano, may communication pa rin.”
Above all, Cristopher wears fatherhood like armor. For him, being a dad isn’t something to be balanced alongside work — it’s the reason for the work. He believes in showing up, not just providing. He carries the conviction that a child deserves more than just effort — they deserve presence, intention, and love that doesn’t ask for applause.
“’Wag mo iasa sa iba. ‘Pag kaya mo, ikaw ang mag-alaga.”
Fatherhood Advice from a Meme Legend
Cristopher’s number one advice for fellow tatays?
“Hangga’t maaari, huwag mong sabihin na ‘hanggat kaya ko.’ Dapat laging masabi mo, ‘kaya ko at kakayanin ko para sa anak ko.’”
He says parenting is about patience, sacrifice, and showing your children the kind of love that doesn’t need words.
Viral Noon, Tatay Ngayon
After brands came calling post-meme resurgence, Cristopher landed enough endorsements to buy a second-hand car for his family. His wife, Ronalyn, shared the proud moment on TikTok, thanking fans for helping him chase his dreams (and avoid stressful commutes).
“Thank you sa mga sumuporta sa asawa ko, dahil sa inyo natupad niya unti-unti pangarap niya, hindi na siya ma-stress sa biyahe papunta ng mga event niya,” she said.
So the next time you hear “What hafen, Vella?” echoing from your kid’s phone, just remember that it’s more than just a viral punchline. It’s an accidental anthem of a man who once ripped his shirt off on It’s Showtime for laughs… and now rips open frozen fish boxes in Bataan to feed his family.
He’s lived through Internet fame, Internet silence, and now internet rebirth.
While the world scrolls on, quick to forget yesterday’s stars, Cristopher’s story isn’t stuck in 2013. He’s writing a new script now. One where he’s no longer playing the Filipino Jacob Black, but a role far more demanding — and far more rewarding.
Full-time Jacob Kalokalike.
Part-time content creator.
Forever tatay.
Read below the Tagalog version of the article:
Sa Likod ng ‘What Hafen Vella’ Meme ay Isang Ama na may Pangarap
Sabi nila, hindi nakakalimot ang Internet. Pero sa kaso ng lalaking ito? Hindi lang siya naalala. Binalikan siya ng buong lakas—at muli siyang naging viral.
Malamang ay narinig mo na ang linyang ito. Baka narinig mo sa anak mong teenager habang nagti-TikTok. O nakita mo sa isang nakakatawang skit na kasabay ng sayawan. O baka lumabas sa pagitan ng mga reel tungkol sa gentle parenting at tsismis ng mga artista. Sa isang paraan o iba pa, malamang nabunggo ka na ng mga salitang ito: “What hafen, Vella?”
Isang linyang nakakalito pero nakakatuwang pakinggan—na mapapatawa ka na lang.
Sino ba ang nagsabi nito?
Si Cristopher Diwata—kilala bilang ’yung lalaking gumaya kay Jacob Black ng Twilight sa “Kalokalike Face 2: Level Up” ng It’s Showtime noong 2013. Noon, patok na patok ito sa lokal na telebisyon—nakakatawa at sikat.
Pero may paraan ang social media na buhayin ang mga matagal nang nakalimutan—at gawing trending ulit.
Fast forward sa 2025—at ayun na nga, balik si Cristopher. Hindi lang bilang kamukha ni Taylor Lautner, kundi bilang boses sa likod ng isa sa pinaka-iconic na TikTok audio ng taon.
Ang dati niyang video? Meme gold na ngayon.
Ang atake niya? Ginagaya na ngayon ng mga influencer, komedyante, at maging ng mga artista.
Ang dating awkward moment na naging patawa ngayon ay naging mas makahulugan. Dahil sa likod ng viral na linya ay isang ama, asawa, at taong tahimik na nagsumikap sa loob ng maraming taon.
Pero lampas sa tawanan at aliw ng meme, may mas malalim na kwento. Hindi lang ito tungkol sa isang nakakatawang pagbabalik. Isa itong totoong pagsilip sa kung ano’ng nangyayari matapos ang iyong “15 minutes of fame”—at kung paano ka nagpapatuloy bilang ama, asawa, at haligi ng tahanan kahit wala nang palakpakan.
Ang Phenomenon ng ‘What Hafen Vella?’
Kung isa kang magulang na nagtataka kung bakit biglang sumisigaw ang anak mo ng “What hafen, Vella?”, huwag kang mag-alala—hindi ka nag-iisa sa pagkabigla.
Ang iconic na impersonation ni Cristopher kay Jacob ng Twilight—kumpleto sa Filipino-accented English—ay muling lumitaw sa TikTok at umani ng milyon-milyong views. Pati mga content creator, celebrities, at si Taylor Lautner mismo ay nakisali.
Sa ngayon, may higit 127,000 followers at 6.8 million likes na si Cristopher, at dumarami pa ang brand deals at collabs niya. Pero sa likod ng mga nakakatawang voiceover ay kwento ng isang taong minsang nasilayan ang spotlight—at tahimik na bumalik sa totoong buhay.
Kasabay ng pagbabalik niya ay dumagsa rin ang bagong opportunities. Nakasama na niya sa projects sina Ben&Ben at SB19, nag-guest sa mga Sparkle stars, at nakatrabaho sina Barbie Forteza, Kyline Alcantara, at TikTok star Abi Marquez.
Ang viral trend na “What Hafen Vella?” ay napansin na rin ng mga celebrity gaya nina Bela Padilla, Jason Dy, at musical power couple na sina KZ Tandingan at TJ Monterde. Pati mga P-pop idols mula sa BINI (Maloi, Aiah, at Mikha) at BGYO (Gelo, Nate, at JL) ay nakigaya na rin, may sariling atake sa iconic na linya.
Pati ang mga Filipina beauty queens ay sumabay sa trend—sina CJ Opiaza, Dia Mate, Ahtisa Manalo, Lexi Eugenio, at Yllana Aduana ay nag-post ng kani-kanilang nakakatawang bersyon.
Maging ang mag-amang Piolo at Iñigo Pascual ay nire-enact ang kanyang skit—isang patunay na balik na nga siya sa pop culture spotlight.
Ang Simula ng Lahat
“Halos hindi po ako pumapalya,” ani Cristopher, na tinatayang dalawa o tatlong beses lang siyang hindi nakapag-workout sa buong taon.
Taong 2013 noon at katatapos lang ng Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 na nagpasiklab sa vampire-werewolf craze sa buong mundo. Napansin ng mga kaibigan ni Cristopher ang pagkakahawig niya kay Jacob. “Mga taga sa amin at mga kaklase ko,” ani niya. “Napanood nila ang Twilight. Kasi pinapalabas pa po sa sine ’yan noon. Nu’ng binanggit nila sa akin, sinubukan ko po.”
Nakakatuwang isipin na hindi pa pala niya napanood ang pelikula noon. “Bago po ako sumali po noon, pinanood ko po muna,” paliwanag niya. Agad niyang napansin ang nakamamanghang pagkakahawig nila ni Jacob.
“Parehas kami lubog ’yung mata. ’Yung kilay, halos parehas. Sa korte ng mukha.” Sabay tawa niya sa sarili gamit ang humor na kalaunan ay magpapatawa sa milyon-milyon online. “Dati po ha! Hindi po ngayon,” paglilinaw niya.
Nag-audition si Cristopher para sa Kalokalike at nakakuha ng callback. Pero walang engrandeng preparasyon—biglaan at aligaga ang naging proseso.
“Kunwari nag-audition po ako ngayon. Tapos nu’ng sinabi nila na ‘salang na ’yan,’ naaligaga po ako. Wala akong dalang damit, wala akong costume.” Kaya gaya ng kahit sinong madiskarteng kabataan ngayon, nag-Google siya.
“Naghanap ako ng dialogue niya na talagang sa tingin ko po na p’wede, na parang galit na galit siya, na kaya ko siyang bigkasin. So ’yun, pinag-aralan ko po siya that day. Tapos salang na po agad. Kaya ganoon po ’yung kinalabasan ng salita,” ani niya.
Pagkatapos ng Showtime
Go lang siya—walang suot na pang-itaas, kumpiyansa, at todo bigay sa role. Pinunit niya ang kanyang tank top sa entablado, ginaya ang transformation ni Lautner bilang lobo, at kumanta ng “A Thousand Years.”
Sobrang todo ng performance—emosyonal at kakaiba pero hindi mo makakalimutan. “Kung ano lang po ’yung lumabas, ’yun na po talaga,” ani niya.
Pero gumana ito. Ang video na ’yon—na halos nakalimutan na sa YouTube—ay naging batayan ng isang viral meme makalipas ang isang dekada.
Panandalian siyang naligo sa kasikatan. Surreal ang pakiramdam. Pero may kapalit. “Dati, halos habulin ko ’yung kasikatan ko,” aniya. “Hirap na hirap po ako eh. Halos magutom ako, mawalan ako ng pera.”
Matapos ang It’s Showtime, sunod-sunod ang gigs. “Napunta po ako sa kung saan-saang sulok ng Pilipinas.” Una pa lang niyang beses makasakay ng eroplano—isang pangarap na noon ay parang imposibleng abutin.
Pero may kapalit. Bumagsak ang grado niya sa kursong Math sa kolehiyo. “Wala pong hilig sa’kin ang English,” biro niya. “Nabagsak po ako ng teacher dahil nga po lagi ako absent.”
Kaya lumipat siya sa full-time na raket: indie films, mall shows, audition dito’t doon. Nangupahan siya sa Maynila para masundan ang pangarap maging action star. Pero ang kita, hindi sapat. “Waldas dito, waldas doon… Halos mangutang ako sa iba.”
Tungkol sa Pag-ibig at Pagbabago
Noong 2015, habang nasa shoot ng indie film, nakilala ni Cristopher si Rona. “Liligawan kita,” aniya. “’Pag tayo na, mas makikilala mo ako.”
Ikinasal sila noong 2016 at ngayon ay may dalawang anak—Jacob at Quinn.
“Nagkakamali naman talaga ang lalaki,” aniya. “Pero siya, matiisin para sa pamilya. ’Yan ang natutunan ko sa kanya.”
Hindi siya expressive, pero nagpapakita siya ng effort. “Hindi ako ‘yung showy, pero ’pag nagma-mall kami, sinasama ko siya. Kahit wala kaming maibili, kasama siya palagi.”
Pagiging Ama at Haligi ng Tahanan
Si Jacob at Quinn ang kanyang pride and joy. Oo, si Jacob ay pinangalan mula sa papel na nagbago ng kanyang buhay.
“Napapaliguan ko siya nang maayos. Nasasabay ko siya sa akin pagligo.” Kay Quinn naman, mas gentle approach. “Gusto ko, kahit bata pa, magalang ang anak ko.”
Hindi siya nananakit. Isang pasuwit lang, sumusunod na agad. “Minsan lang magiging bata ’yan. Sulitin niyo ang pagiging ama niyo.”
Pusong Tagapagtaguyod
Namamakyaw siya ng isda sa Bataan. Kapag walang isda, nasa bahay lang, nag-aalaga ng anak. “Simpleng tao lang po ako.”
Lahat ng kinikita niya, para sa pamilya. “Minsan wala akong ititira sa sarili ko. Pero okay lang. Basta sa kanila lahat.”
Pangarap niyang makapagtapos ang mga anak. “Sana danasin nila ’yung hawak nila ang diploma nila.” Kaya masinop siya. “Malakas ang gastos sa pangarap.”
Balanseng Tatay at Creator
Pagdating sa Maynila, sunod-sunod ang offers. “Pinaunawa ko na sa kanila na halos hindi ako makakauwi.”
Pero kahit busy, hindi nawawala ang tawag sa bahay. “Hindi ako sobrang busy na wala akong oras. Kahit papaano, may communication pa rin.”
Para sa kanya, ang pagiging ama ang dahilan ng trabaho, hindi ang kabaligtaran. “’Wag mo iasa sa iba. ‘Pag kaya mo, ikaw ang mag-alaga.”
Mga Aral mula sa Isang Meme Legend
“Hangga’t maaari, huwag mong sabihin na ‘hanggat kaya ko.’ Dapat laging masabi mo, ‘kaya ko at kakayanin ko para sa anak ko.’”
Ang pagiging magulang ay tungkol sa tiyaga, sakripisyo, at pagmamahal na hindi kailangang ipagsigawan.
Viral Noon, Tatay Ngayon
Dahil sa mga endorsements, nakabili siya ng second-hand na kotse para sa pamilya. Ibinahagi ito ng kanyang misis sa TikTok.
“Thank you sa mga sumuporta sa asawa ko… hindi na siya ma-stress sa biyahe,” ani Ronalyn.
Kaya sa susunod na marinig mong sumigaw ang anak mo ng “What hafen, Vella?”, alalahanin mo: hindi lang ito meme. Ito ay kwento ng isang lalaking minsang naghubad ng sando sa entablado, at ngayon, nagbubukas ng kahon ng isda para mapakain ang pamilya.
Naranasan na niya ang kasikatan, katahimikan, at muling pagsikat.
Habang ang mundo ay patuloy sa pag-scroll, si Cristopher ay sumusulat ng bagong kwento—bilang ama.
Full-time Jacob Kalokalike.
Part-time content creator.
Forever tatay.