
Content creator Benedict Cua candidly opens up about bullying after witnessing his son, Baby Aleck, experience it firsthand.
In his latest vlog, the social media star recalled seeing another child repeatedly target his Baobao while the kids were playing inside an inflatable bounce house.
"Magsusumbong ako sa inyo, guys. Pumunta ako ng birthday party. First time kong maka-witness firsthand ng bullying," he said.
At first, Benedict said he did not immediately realize Aleck was being bullied because the children appeared to be playing normally. However, he later noticed another child intentionally causing Aleck to fall.
"Nagri-ready siya tumayo tapos nag-aabang 'yung isang bata. Pagkatayo na pagkatayo ni Aleck, natumba si Aleck. Triny niya tumayo, tinadyakan siya. So [natumba] si Aleck," Benedict explained. "So ako parang sabi ko, 'Teka. Na-bully ba 'yung anak ko? Nangyayari ba 'to sa harap ko? Totoo ba 'tong nangyayari?'"
As he tried to process the situation, his friend Rita Daniela advised him to confront the child.
"Tiningnan ko 'yung name card ng bata. Sabi ko, 'Don't do that,' tapos sabi niya, 'Po?' tapos maya-maya, umalis na ako," he added.
Benedict later asked their house help, Joy, to watch over Aleck while he cools down. However, another incident soon followed.
"Hindi ko na-control eh. Paano 'yan? Nakita ko. 'Pag akyat ni Aleck sa slide, [tinisod] ang paa niya. Eh 'di nasipa 'yung bata. Sabi ko, 'Hindi mo ba nakikitang may mas bata sa'yo?'" Joy shared.
"Eh bigla niya akong tinarayan ng tingin. Nakatutok talaga. So tinarayan ko rin. So sabi ko 'Sige tusukin ko 'yang mata mo.' Eh, kasi nasaktan si Aleck eh."
Benedict admitted he struggled to stay calm after witnessing his son smiling after getting hurt multiple times. He also expressed concern about Aleck eventually entering playschool.
"Paano kung nasa school na sila tapos apat [o] lima sila tapos inaway siya? Tapos wala siyang malalapitan, 'di ba? Tapos pag-uwi niya nakalimutan na niya. Akala niya normal lang 'yun. Tapos parang hindi niya sinasabi sa akin, 'di ba? Ang sakit kaya nu'n sa heart," he said.
"Diyan nagsisimula ang bullying. Bwiset talaga ako sa bata na 'yun. Nakakainis talaga, as in. Ayoko pumatol, pero kasi nakita ko talaga inaabangan niya 'yung step ni [Aleck kung kailan puwede niya tadyakan]."
Although Benedict said he has video footage of the incident, he chose not to post it publicly out of consideration for a friend who knows the child's family.
He also revealed that he saw the child knee Aleck in the mouth, though he ultimately decided not to confront the parents.
Ending his story, Benedict shared the lesson he learned from the experience.
"Lesson of the day: control and confront. Do not be afraid of confronting the villains. Kahit hindi ka sure kung villain siya sa mata mo. If something is wrong, you need to call it out. Nothing wrong with that, compose and then confront."
Check out the cutest photos Benedict's son Aleck in this gallery:
Back in May 2024, Benedict revealed he had become a father. Despite the challenges of being a single parent, he embraced the journey with openness and love.
After welcoming his little Baobao into his life, Benedict has often shared glimpses of their time. They enjoy everyday moments and trips abroad, such as Hong Kong and South Korea.
Take a look at these celebrities who were also victims of bullying: