RITA Gaviola, popularly known as “Badjao Girl,” has responded to netizens who questioned why she has yet to improve her parents’ home despite her years of vlogging and strong social media following.
In a lengthy post, Gaviola said she initially avoided addressing the criticism but decided to speak up after repeated comments accusing her of neglecting her family.
“Ayoko sana mag-post ng ganito dahil alam kong maraming magco-comment,” she wrote. “Pero sige, sasagutin ko yung mga comment ninyo po.”
She pushed back against the assumption that high video views 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.”
Gaviola added that online posts showing travel or nicer locations do not reflect her day-to-day 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.”
She said she has repeatedly asked her parents to consider moving to Manila but that they have chosen to stay in their province, citing their way of life and her siblings’ schooling.
“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.”
Gaviola also 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.”
Addressing claims that she had abandoned her parents, Gaviola said her financial support has simply been kept 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 added that her parents and those close to them are aware of her efforts and intentions.
“Alam ng parents ko kung gaano ko sila kamahal,” she said. “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.
