Rita Gaviola aka Badjao Girl is now engaged
RITA GAVIOLA – The former Pinoy Big Brother housemate who gained fame as the Badjao Girl is now engaged.
Rita Gaviola gained prominence following her participation in Pinoy Big Brother 7. At 13, her family relocated from Zamboanga to Lucena City in Quezon. During her free time from school, she assists her mother with household chores and occasionally begs.
Her life took a significant turn when Topher Quinto Burgo spontaneously photographed her during the Pahiyas Festival in Lucban, Quezon. The photo swiftly went viral, including her in the popular reality show. Rita made history by becoming the first-ever housemate from an Indigenous Group in the Pinoy Big Brother series.
Hailing from the Badjao community, an ethnic group historically and currently subjected to discrimination and displacement in Southeast Asia, her appearance in the house sheds light on the Badjao community in a more positive and profound manner, thanks to the platform provided by Big Brother. In August of this year, Rita Gaviola and her partner outside the entertainment industry introduced their daughter Kiana.
Recently, the viral star turned to social media wherein she shared that she’s now engaged. In an Instagram post, Gaviola posted a photo of her partner kneeling with a ring. In the caption, she noted: “This is it!”
Meanwhile, Badjao Girl made a buzz online after turning emotional when she was insulted by bashers during a live selling. She was even told to return to the streets to beg. In a Facebook post, Rita expressed gratitude for the concern shown regarding their live selling but expressed a reluctance to speak further about the issue due to the nature of the criticism being unfair.
She proudly identifies herself as a ‘Badjao native’. Rita labels the criticism as “crab mentality” – a negative behavior of pulling down someone perceived as rising above others – insinuating that they are being unfairly judged for being a native.
