Yasmien Kurdi, Alfred Vargas open up on alleged bullying experienced by their children

Yasmien Kurdi and Alfred Vargas opened up on the alleged bullying experienced by their respective children and the steps they took to protect them.

On "Fast Talk with Boy Abunda" on Monday, Yasmien said she filed a complaint with the Department of Education (DepEd) over what happened to her daughter, Ayesha, at school. They are waiting for the decision.

"Nandun lahat ng pruweba including mga pictures, videos, convos. Lahat nasa kanila na," the actress said.

"Ako, happy ako kasi I did my role as a parent, dahil ito talaga 'yung gusto ng anak ko, ireklamo sila," she said.

Yasmien first talked publicly about Ayesha's alleged bullying in 2024. She said her daughter was "ganged up on" and "targeted."

"Premeditated na eh. Parang pinagplanuhan na nila tapos lumalayo na siya the whole time, pero pinush pa din nila," she said.

The mother of two said she heard the side of the parents.

"S'yempre, i-de-defend nila 'yung gusto nilang i-defend," she said.

Yasmien said that what she learned from the experience is that when schools release their legal statement, there is a "lack of empathy and compassion."

"Ang dapat kasi sa mga eskuwelahan, meron silang open communication, dapat we work hand in hand," she said.

"Kasi pinapasok ng mga magulang 'yung anak nila sa school. Supposedly, kayo ang second parent, 'yan ang second house to keep your child protected. Pero kung hindi nila magawa 'yun di ba, nag-re-release sila ng statement na bully in nature, what do you expect, parang mga breeders kayo ng bullies diyan."

In 2024, Colegio San Agustin released a statement about the issue, saying that "there appears to be no bullying that happened on December 10, 2024."

"We also caution Mrs. Soldevilla to refrain from sharing information about the minor students as this tends to put them in a bad light, embarrassment, and even ridicule not only in CSA but in the eyes of the public," the statement also read.

Ayesha was eventually homeschooled before transferring to De La Salle Santiago Zobel. She also underwent therapy.

Meanwhile, the alleged bullying that happened to Alfred's son happened outside school. The actor said the incidents happened during swimming trainings and competitions.

"Kaya nagkukumahog kaming maghanap ng justice for my son," he said.

"'Yung anak ko nilulunod several times. Na kahit anong lapit namin, kahit anong appeal namin doon sa mga magulang, binabalewala kami, gina-gaslight kami."

Alfred and his wife Yasmine Espiritu filed a complaint against actor Rob Sy and his partner Juvelle Bacosa, the parents of the minor involved. Rob later released a statement denying the allegations against his son.

"Responsibilidad din nila. Nandun sila sa mismong event na medyo may ginawang hindi maganda sa anak ko. Tapos talagang binully," Alfred said.

Alfred said he was also at the event when the bullying incident happened. He reached out to the parents but he got dismissed. He also reached out to the swimming team, Philippine Sports Commission, and Philippine Aquatics Incorporated.

"Sino pa tatakbuhan namin eh learning na 'yung Anti-Bullying Law inside the premises of the school lang," he said.

"Na-ga-gaslight din 'yung situation namin kasi sabi doon—in general, with due respect to the processes—sinasabi parang larong bata lang daw at dun ako nasaktan," he said. "Parang ha? Larong bata ba 'to? Binu-bully 'yung anak ko tapos na-injure siya."

Alfred and Yasmine's complaint was dismissed as prosecutors found "no prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction" to indict Rob and his partner.

GMA News Online has reached out to Rob Sy and CSA for comment.

To parents with children who were bullied, Alfred said they are not alone.

"We need to fight this out together," he said. "Ang huwag n'yo po isipin na helpless tayo, meron at meron tayong matatakbuhan. Kailangan labanan natin ang pang-aapi, ang pang-aabuso, at pang-aalipusta."

Yasmien also reminded parents to be critical when selecting schools.

"Hanapin n'yo 'yung policy nila, handbook nila, at saka 'yung mga past incidents nila at pa'no nila hinandle 'yan," she said. —Nika Roque/MGP, GMA News