Rita Gaviola, popularly known as the “Badjao Girl,” has broken her silence after netizens questioned why she has yet to renovate her parents’ home despite her years of vlogging and strong social media following.
In a lengthy post, Gaviola said she initially chose not to speak up but decided to respond after repeated accusations online.
“Ayoko sana mag-post ng ganito dahil alam kong maraming magco-comment,” she wrote. “Pero sige, sasagutin ko yung mga comment ninyo po.”
She clarified that online popularity does not automatically translate to financial stability.
“Hindi porket malaki yung mga views ng video namin ay malaki na rin yung kita namin,” Gaviola said. “Hindi porket nakikita ninyo na panay post kami ng pera sa Facebook, masarap na buhay na.”
She added that social media posts do not fully reflect her real-life struggles.
“Hindi rin porket nakikita ninyo na panay post ako ng magagandang lugar ay masarap na buhay ko,” she said. “Kung alam lang ninyo, gabi-gabi ko iniisip kung paano ko sisimulan ang lahat dahil ako mismo, hinang-hina na rin ako.”
Gaviola also addressed questions about why her parents have not moved to Manila, saying it was their decision to stay in the province.
“Gustong-gusto ko sila tumira sa Manila, pero sila na mismo ang ayaw,” she explained. “Nag-aaral yung mga kapatid ko at iyon na ang nakasanayan nilang buhay.”
She stressed that helping one’s family is not always immediate or easy, especially without sufficient resources.
“Mahirap din tumulong lalo na kapag wala ka pang sapat na pera o kakayahan,” she said. “Kaya unti-unti ko itong ginagawa.”
Responding to claims that she had neglected her parents, Gaviola said her support has simply remained private.
“Kung pinabayaan ko sila, hindi ninyo makikita sa video ko ang pamilya ko,” she said. “Pero yung mga perang pinapadala ko, never ninyo nakita dahil hindi ko pinopost.”
She emphasized that her parents understand her efforts.
“Alam ng parents ko kung gaano ko sila kamahal,” she added. “Never ko silang pinagdamutan kahit sa maliit na bagay.”
Gaviola said she is currently saving for more permanent improvements, not only for her parents but also for her child.
“Sa ngayon, nag-iipon pa ako ng malaki para maayos na,” she said. “At siyempre, para sa anak ko, dahil ayokong maranasan niya yung bahay na kinalakihan ko dati.”
The post came after a netizen criticized the condition of her parents’ home, suggesting that even minor repairs could have been done earlier.
In May 2023, Gaviola also marked a milestone after graduating from senior high school. In an Instagram post, she shared photos with her child and partner, writing, “Kayo ’yung dahilan kung bakit ginagalingan ko sa lahat ng bagay.”
Gaviola rose to fame in 2016 after going viral during the Pahiyas Festival and later joined ‘Pinoy Big Brother: Lucky 7’, where she became known to viewers nationwide as the “Badjao Girl of Lucena.”
