Diwata (entrepreneur)

Last updated

Diwata
Born
Deo Jarito Balbuena

(1982-08-31) August 31, 1982 (age 43)
Northern Samar, Philippines
NationalityFilipino
EducationDon Juan F. Avalon National High School
Occupation(s)Businessman, actor, content creator
Known forOwner of Diwata Pares Overload business
Fourth nominee of Vendors Party-list for the 2025 election

Deo Jarito Balbuena (born August 31, 1982), also known as Diwata , [1] [2] is a Filipino internet personality, food vlogger, [3] [4] entrepreneur, [5] and advocate within the LGBTQ+ community. [6] Best known for his business Diwata Pares Overload, [7] Balbuena was also one of the nominees of Vendors Partylist (Vendors Samahan ng mga Maninindang Pilipino) for the 2025 Philippine House of Representatives elections. [8]

Contents

Biography

A branch of Diwata's restaurant business, Diwata Pares, in Caloocan Diwata Pares Restaurant, Caloocan, Aug 2025 (1).jpg
A branch of Diwata's restaurant business, Diwata Pares, in Caloocan

Balbuena was born on August 31, 1982, in Northern Samar, [9] finishing secondary education at Don Juan F. Avalon National High School in San Roque, Northern Samar. At the age of 17, Balbuena moved to Metro Manila, where he found work as a beautician. Diwata later diversified into trading, selling coffee, cigarettes, and candies, alongside construction work to supplement income. Diwata's pares business gained attention on social media for its perceived value, offering a meal of unlimited rice, soup, and soft drink for ₱100. [6] [10] [11]

Before becoming a food vendor, Diwata was a contestant on the "Miss Q and A" segment of the Philippine television program It's Showtime in 2019. [5] [6] [12]

In April 2024, he became a cast member of Batang Quiapo . [13] [14]

Diwata ran in the 2025 Philippine House of Representatives elections as fourth nominee for the Vendors Partylist, an organization seeking party-list representation. [15] However, the party-list failed to secure a seat.

Controversies

In 2016, Balbuena first went viral for his strut at the police station after being involved in an incident where he reported two acquaintances using illegal drugs beneath J.W. Diokno Bridge in Pasay. [16] The complaint escalated into a physical altercation, during which Balbuena was wounded on his forehead and arm with a cutter by the person he had reported. [6] [17]

On April 16, 2024, Balbuena was arrested in connection with a slight physical injury case filed against him in 2018. [1] He was released the same day after posting bail of ₱3,000. [4] [18]

On February 28, 2025, Diwata apologized after pictures of him wearing indigenous costumes were criticized along with inappropriate gestures against indigenous peoples in the Cordillera Administrative Region during the Panagbenga Festival in Baguio by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, which called it cultural appropriation. [19]

Awards

In May 2024, Balbuena was awarded 'Most Sensational Media Personality of the Year' at the Gawad Dangal Filipino Awards 2024 [20] and 'Social Media Influencer of the Year' at the Asia's Golden Icon Awards. [21]

Filmography

Television
YearTitleRoleReference
2024 Batang Quiapo Frida [10]

References

  1. 1 2 Loreto, Russel P. (April 19, 2024). "Taste of fame: Viral 'pares' server arrested for 2018 case". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  2. ↑ Argosino, Faith (April 18, 2024). "Cops arrest social media personality Diwata for slight physical injuries". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  3. ↑ "Food vlogger 'Diwata' arrested for 2018 case". GMA News Online. April 18, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  4. 1 2 Argosino, Faith (April 18, 2024). "'Diwata' released from police custody after posting bail". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  5. 1 2 "Migs tries out Diwata's trending overload pares on "My Puhunan"". ABS-CBN. April 26, 2024. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Napoles, Jimboy. "Meet Diwata a.k.a. Deo Balbuena, ang tinaguriang 'Pares Overload Queen'" [Meet Diwata a.k.a. Deo Balbuena, the one tagged as the 'Pares Overload Queen']. GMA Entertainment (in Filipino). Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  7. ↑ Juayong, Katrina Anne (April 19, 2024). "Social media users defend Diwata from unreasonable critics and those who 'milk' his business for online content". POP!. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  8. ↑ "67. VENDORS" (PDF). Commission on Elections. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
  9. ↑ "67. VENDORS" (PDF). Commission on Elections. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  10. 1 2 Mercado, Josh (May 27, 2024). "Diwata opens up on newfound fame, 'Batang Quiapo'". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  11. ↑ Adriatico, Abigail; Villanueva, Angelica (May 27, 2024). "Diwata Pares Overload opens Quezon City branch, owner shares humble start on Marvin Agustin's vlog". Manila Standard. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  12. ↑ "FPJ's Batang Quiapo BTS Diwata as Frida". ABS-CBN. April 21, 2024.
  13. ↑ "Diwata recalls first shooting day for 'FPJ's Batang Quiapo' with Coco Martin: 'Muntik na nga niya ako mahalikan eh'" [Diwata recalls first shooting day for 'FPJ's Batang Quiapo' with Coco Martin: 'He almost kissed me']. Manila Bulletin (in English and Filipino). Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  14. ↑ Sayson, Cris (May 28, 2024). "Diwata Reveals He Is Currently Single & Happy". PhilNews. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  15. ↑ "'Unli-rice' at Batasan? Pares sensation Diwata seeks congressional seat". ABS-CBN. October 2, 2024. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  16. ↑ Bading, sinaksak umano sa mukha ng kanyang kaibigang pinapalayas na niya [ Bading had his face stabbed by friend who evicted him]. Unang Balita (in Filipino). September 23, 2016. Retrieved July 20, 2024– via YouTube.
  17. ↑ 'Pinoy Battousai' at Diwata, kumusta na ang anger management ngayon? ['Pinoy Battousai' and Diwata, how are they dealing with their anger management nowadays?]. Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (in Filipino). January 30, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2024– via YouTube.
  18. ↑ Bautista, Nillicent. "Internet personality 'Diwata' nabbed, posts bail". Philstar.com. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  19. ↑ "NCIP slams Diwata for 'cultural appropriation' over wearing traditional IP attire, questionable gestures". ABS-CBN. February 28, 2025. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  20. ↑ "Deo Balbuena, known as 'Diwata', wins 'Most Sensational Media Personality of the Year'". Balikbayan Store. May 1, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  21. ↑ Monserate, Glory Mae (May 31, 2024). "Diwata, nakatanggap ng 'Social Media Influencer of the Year' Award". Kami.com.ph - Philippines news. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
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