Rita Gabiola, is a 13-year old “Badjao Girl” from Quezon Province. Her photos which were taken by Topher Quinto Burgos, a Lucena City-based photographer during the recent Pahiyas Festival in Lucban, Quezon, went viral online as she was begging in the streets with her 2-year old sister.
Now, Rita was given a scholarship by ABS-CBN “Rated K” and Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation to make her dream come true, that is, to become a teacher. Rita was in tears.
In an interview on “Rated K”, a magazine show hosted by Korina Sanchez, Rita said she wants to be a teacher to help children to learn and so with her parents who did not even finish their studies.
Rita’s father is a fisherman and works hard to send her to school despite the hardships they experienced. Her mother is a housewife. Rita is the second among six children.
The local government of Lucena City also pledged to provide her family with a job.
Rita’s picture during the Pahiyas Festival in Lucban town in Quezon province has gone viral because of her natural beauty – her brown complexion, high cheekbones and a model-like physique.
Source: ABS-CBN
