Gabby Eigenmann advises kids to defend themselves from bullies

By MARY LOUISE LIGUNAS

PHOTO BY ELISA AQUINO, GMANetwork.com

 

Now that classes have started for many students, parents can’t help but feel worried about how their kids are doing in school. For actor Gabby Eigenmann, his kids should know how to deal with obstacles on campus.

 

Bullying, for one, is an issue that a lot of students deal with. In his guesting in Basta Every Day Happy, Gabby thus shared how he reminds his kids to be strong against their schoolmates who tend to mistreat others.

 

“Ang sa akin lang, always learn to defend yourselves. Lagi ko silang sinasabihan [na] ‘pag tingin [nila] may nang-bu-bully [sa kanila], they should talk to [their] teacher, talk to the principal. Or kahit mga guard dun, para at least maiwasan,” he said.

 

If they’re caught in a difficult situation, however, they should not be nonchalant and submissive. “Once you’re cornered, hindi mo naman kailangan planuhin kung ano yung gagawin [mong] next step, but learn to defend,” he declared. “Kapag tinulak ka, ‘di ko sasabihing [itulak] mo din, pero kung makakaiwas ka, [umiwas ka].”

 

The Dading star also advises parents to monitor the behavior of their kids. Parents of bullies should learn how to point out the wrongs of their children. They should understand that bullying should not be tolerated, and instead treated and handled accordingly.

 

“Kapag mga ganung edad kasi, mas maganda yung pinagsasabihan. During their younger years, na-a-absorb pa nila yung tama saka yung mali,” he said.

 

Disciplining children starts at home, giving parents a big responsibility to their children and the society. “[Kapag nasabihan], mas naiintinihan nila so pagdating sa school, alam na [nila yung tama]… na huwag gagawin sa school… dapat nasasabihan ng maaga,” he added.