“Badjao Girl” whose real name is Rita Gabriola hopes that her online fame would somehow help her family climb out of poverty. The 13-year old girl thanks the online people who made her photo viral for their generous compliment on her appearance. She also thank the photographer Topher Quinto for choosing her as her subject. “Badjao Girl” was begging during the Pahiyas Festival at Lucban Quezon when photograher Topher Quinto took notice of her.
Gabriola only known of her online fame 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 in an interview by GMA News.
“Kaya ko po gustong maging guro, gusto ko pong matulungan ang tulad ng mga kapatid kong bata. Gusto ko rin po sila maipag-aral. At sabi sakin ng tatay ko, gusto niya kong mapag-aral. Kasi kami na lang po ang pag-asa naming magkakapatid,” Gabriola said.
