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<figure class="op-interactive"><div style="padding-top:66.375%"><div id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1_Container"> <ivs-player id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-vid="1473117" data-ivs-floating="1"></ivs-player> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/iframe-parent.js"></script> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script> </div></div></figure><p>MANILA -- Rita Gabiola, the 13-year-old Badjao girl who caught the hearts of netizens after her photo went viral, is now a step closer to her dream of becoming a teacher.</p><p>Gabiola is the second among six children. Her father works as a fisherman, while her mother is a housewife.</p><p>Her picture, which was taken by Topher Quinto Burgos during the recent Pahiyas Festival in Lucban, Quezon, went viral, with netizens gushing over her complexion and high cheekbones.</p><p>Burgos captioned her post: &quot;Nakita lang namin siya nanghihingi ng barya. Kapatid nating mga Badjao na may angkin ganda.&quot;</p><p>In an interview on &#x27;Rated K&#x27; aired on Sunday, Gabiola, whose family traveled from Zamboanga to Lucena City, said she wants to be a teacher to help others.</p><p>&quot;Gusto ko pong matulungan &#x27;yung mga bata. Isa na rin po doon &#x27;yung mga magulang ko, hindi po nakapag-aral,&quot; she said.</p><p>His father, Danny, works hard to send her to school, despite the hardships they experience.</p><p>&quot;Ang pangarap ko talaga kay Rita, itaguyod ko &#x27;yan, kahit sa isang beses isang araw kami kumain. Kahit walang baon, papasok ka na lang, basta ang pangarap ko sa &#x27;yo, patapusin kita,&quot; he said.</p><p>She also said some people have asked to take pictures of her since her pictures went viral.</p><p>&quot;Lumalapit sila sa akin, nagpipiktyur. Siyempre po nagppiktyur din po ako,&quot; Gabiola said.</p><p>The local government of Lucena City also pledged to provide her family with a job.</p><p>She also received a scholarship from &quot;Rated K&quot; and Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation.</p><p>(READ: <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/05/26/16/badjao-girl-gets-promises-of-aid-after-photo-went-viral" target="_blank"><strong>&#x27;Badjao Girl&#x27; gets promises of aid after photo went viral</strong></a>)</p>

<p>Rita Gabiola, the 13-year-old Badjao girl who caught the hearts of netizens after her photo went viral, is now a step closer to her dream of becoming a teacher.</p>

Rita Gabiola, the 13-year-old Badjao girl who caught the hearts of netizens after her photo went viral, is now a step closer to her dream of becoming a teacher.

Dream come true: In tears, 'Badjao Girl' gets scholarship

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Dream come true: In tears, 'Badjao Girl' gets scholarship

ABS-CBN News

Published May 29, 2016 10:39 PM PHT

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Updated Jun 13, 2017 06:07 PM PHT

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Rated K

Badjao girl

Rita Gabiola

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