Former Pinoy Big Brother housemate Rita Gaviola is officially married to her longtime non-showbiz partner, Jeric Ong, after being engaged for more than two years.
The social media personality shared the happy news with her followers through photos and videos from their church wedding held on May 29 at the Cathedral Shrine and Parish of the Good Shepherd in Quezon City.
Gaviola looked radiant in a traditional white bridal gown designed by Julie Villapaz as she walked down the aisle toward Ong, who wore a white tuxedo with black accents for the occasion.
“Mrs. Ong na ‘ko. Thank you so much po sa lahat ng naging parte sa mahalagang araw na ‘to,” Gaviola wrote in the caption of a wedding video posted on Facebook.
In a separate post, the PBB alum reflected on the challenges she and her husband had overcome throughout their relationship.
“Madaming man pagsubok dumating sa ating dalawa, ito pa rin ‘tay. Hindi naging madali ang relasyon natin parehas pero nilaban natin at mas pinili natin ayusin kesa tapusin,” she wrote.
“Ito na rin ‘yung pinaka magandang nangyari sa buhay ko ‘yung tinupad mo na papakasalan mo ako at ihaharap sa Diyos. […] Ikaw lang ang lalaking mamahalin at pagsisilbihan pang-habang buhay dahil ayun ang sinumpaan natin sa harap ng Panginoon. Mahal na mahal kita kayo ni Kia ang buhay ko,” she added, referring to their daughter.
The couple announced their engagement in 2023, a year after welcoming their daughter, Kianna Mae.
Long before their church wedding, the couple honored Gaviola’s roots by holding a traditional Badjao wedding ceremony in 2021. Following the traditional rites, Gaviola later chose to be baptized as a Catholic.
Gaviola first rose to popularity in 2016 after photos of her on the streets went viral online, earning her the moniker “Badjao Girl.”
Her viral fame eventually led to her stint as a housemate on Pinoy Big Brother: Lucky 7. She also joined the “Sexy Babe” pageant segment of It’s Showtime in 2022.
