Rita Gaviola, more popularly known as “Badjao Girl,” is now engaged to her non-showbiz partner Jeric Ong, she announced on Thursday, October 31.

On her Instagram page, Rita shared a photo of her boyfriend down on one knee as he surprised her with an engagement ring. “This is it,” she captioned the image, adding a ring and a woman with veil emoji.

Her partner also confirmed their engagement on Thursday alongside a sweet message for Rita on Facebook.

“Katulad nga ng sabi ko sa ‘yo, ikaw lang hanggang mamatay ako. Ikaw lang ihaharap ko sa altar at pangako hindi ako gagawa ng kalokohan. Malayo layo pa ang kasal natin pero gagawin ko at ipapadama ko lahat para sa’yo,” he wrote.

It was in August 2021 when Rita, 20, revealed that had welcomed a baby with her non-showbiz boyfriend. The couple celebrated the first birthday and baptism of their daughter Kianna Mae last July.

In an interview with journalist Karen Davila, Rita shared how becoming a mother changed her life.

"Blessing talaga si baby sa amin kasi simula nung dumating siya, ang daming nabago sa akin lalo na sa daddy niya," she said.

“Kumbaga dati, kasi medyo may pagka-isip bata pa ako. So parang nag-mature talaga ako nung dumating siya sa buhay ko. Siya na lang talaga iniisip ko, hindi sarili ko."

Despite all the harsh comments she’s received online, Rita said she has no regrets being a mom at 19 years old.

"Para sa akin kasi kahit sino mang mababae gustong magkaanak," she said. “Kasi 'di ba maraming mga babae na nangangarap na gusto magkaanak pero hindi nabibigyan. So kami po na binigyan kami ni Lord, bakit namin ipapalampasin 'to?"

Addressing her bashers, she said, “Sa mga na-disappoint or madami pang sasabihin sa akin, buhay ko 'yung tinatahak ko, tsaka madami pa akong kayang gawin and maraming salamat po sa mga sumusuporta kasama na namin si Baby Kia sa susunod na mga vlog namin.”

Rita rose to fame in 2016 after photos of her begging with her brother during the Pahiyas Festival went viral online. She was 13 years old then.

She eventually became a teen housemate of the popular reality show Pinoy Big Brother: Lucky Season 7, where she was dubbed as the “Badjao Girl of Lucena.” Last year, she also joined It’s Showtime’s popular segment Sexy Babe.