“Badjao Girl” Rita Gaviola’s viral street photos in 2016 put her into the public limelight. Five years after her unexpected fame, she now has her heart set to another goal: joining Miss Universe Philippines.
On 10th September, Gaviola teased followers about her plans to join the prestigious beauty pageant on her Instagram account.
Image credit: @itsritagaviola
Alongside her glam photo where she is seen polished with make-up and long, straight hair, Gaviola said that soon, we may see her joining Miss Universe Philippines. “Soon sasali na tayo sa miss u,” she wrote on 10th September. (Soon, we will join Miss U.)
Fans couldn’t help but be excited, with one Instagram user emphasizing Gaviola’s transformation from her humble beginnings. “Oh my gosh, ang ganda (she’s beautiful)! What a transformation from her humble beginnings,” @siyukiito said.
Image credit: @itsritagaviola, @itsritagaviola
Her announcement came after she had posted a handful of photos showing her glammed up with make-up.
Image credit: myCast
Gaviola first caught the eye of the public when Topher Quinto Burgos’s photographs of her begging in the streets during the Pahiyas, Festival in Lucban, Quezon went viral way back in 2016. Her photos gained popularity because of how her natural beauty, sharp jawline, cheekbones, and poise shone through even when she was not wearing any makeup.
When she discovered that her photos had gone viral, she didn’t yet know how to use the Internet and only found out about it through others. “Hindi po ako marunong mag-internet, pinakita lang sakin sa cellphone. Pinagsabihan nila ako na, uy si Rita, artista na. Ganyan lang po sinasabi nila,” she said on a 2016 GMA News article.
(I don’t know how to use the Internet, others just showed me [the photo] on their cellphones. They told me, hey, Rita is already a celebrity. That’s just what they were saying.)
Image credit: The Big Brother Wiki
After her newfound fame, she became a housemate at the Pinoy Big Brother: Lucky Season 7 aired from 2016 to 2017. She is the first contestant of PBB who comes from an indigenous background.
Her ethnic group, the Badjao, are also known as sea nomads as they live on houseboats.
From her small beginnings in the streets to the Internet to television, Gaviola has indeed gone a long way. Soon, we may even see her strutting the runway with her elegant beauty and physique.
We’re definitely excited to see what’s more in store for the young star!
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Cover image adapted from: myCast, @itsritagaviola
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