Deo Balbuena, popularly known as Diwata, is the CEO and founder of Manila’s hottest and most talked about Diwata Pares Overload.
Diwata’s food stall serves pares or beef stew, unlimited rice, soup, plus a bottle of beverage for only Php 100. Because of its budget-friendly price and Diwata’s online presence contributing to the stall’s marketing, it continues to attract visitors and patrons. Content creators are even listing Diwata Pares Overload as their next food stop.
In a long line of hungry and waiting customers surrounding the food stall, caught on camera by a user on X (formerly known as Twitter) was a video of a dissatisfied customer/vlogger who was looking for Diwata because she didn’t like the taste of the bowl of pares she bought. The woman returned the bowl, still paid for it, and said that she would be exchanging it for an order of ‘Siken’ or chicken from the menu instead.
Iba-iba tayo ng taste & since di ko pa na-try ‘yang binili mo, I won’t invalidate your dissatisfaction. However, I don’t think it’s necessary na iparinig mo pa sa ibang customers ‘yong saloobin mo. A little respect to the owner & his staff won’t hurt. ✌️ pic.twitter.com/inm1sTIoXc
— FuturePedia MD 🇵🇹🇵🇭🇰🇷 (@hiram_ryu) April 16, 2024
Social media users validated the preference of taste of the woman in the video but highlighted that she should have controlled her outburst or perhaps kept the comments to herself.
Amidst the controversies, social media users are now calling for people to let Diwata mind his own business and let him work in peace.
Shame on those people who milks on diwata’s pares business by making contents. Videos saying na hindi worth it, hindi masarap, and so on.
Let DIWATA live peacefully! Naghahanap buhay yung tao nang marangal
Like gets merong honest reviews but what do you expect?
— Ron (@_rdmptn) April 17, 2024
Another commented on the thread saying, “it’s on them [people] for getting hyped up about it [Diwata Pares Overload] too much.”
“Para talaga ‘yun sa gusto masulit ‘yung pera nila at mabusog sa kakarampot na sweldong meron sila [the food is for those who want to make the most out of their money and suffice their hunger with the little amount of salary they have]” the user added.
This user fired back at content creators who expressed their disappointment with the food stall.
For 100 pesos na unli rice, unli sabaw, with softdrinks? Ang taas ng entitlement ha. Leave Diwata alone. Kayo tong nakiki-hype, kayo pa galet. Hayaan niyo siya mag negosyo at gumawa ng kultura sa lugar na yan. Hindi naman yan para sa inyo. https://t.co/pkAITWrH7x
— rodina (@iamrodafrog) April 17, 2024
On a quote-retweet, this user provided emphasis on the target market of Diwata’s paresan.
Tsaka in the very first place, hindi naman kayo ang target market ni Diwata. Hindi niya kasalanan na pumila kayo nang matagal sa 100 pesos na unli pares with rice and drinks. Kung feeling mo pang burgis taste buds mo, wag kang pumila. https://t.co/WyU28OhdrS
— ian (rachel devanadera) (@ianosphere_) April 17, 2024
Diwata responded in light of the issue, saying that he doesn’t mind if people feature him and his business in online content. “Hindi ko iniisip na ginagawa nila akong gatasan kasi sa una pa lang, wala naman silang hinihingi sa akin na pera. Bagkus, nakakatulong pa sila sa akin para i-vlog, para dumami ang mga customers [I don’t think they’re trying to exploit me because from the start, they haven’t asked me for money. Instead, they’re even helping me to vlog, to increase the number of customers],” he said.
Diwata had been previously arrested because of the slight physical injury case filed in 2018 against him. Fortunately, Pasay police chief Mayames Jr. said that the case is bailable. He was granted release on the same day after posting Php 3,000 for bail.
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