YASMIEN Kurdi extended support and comfort to her fellow celebrity parents Alfred Vargas and his wife, Yasmine Espiritu-Vargas, who filed a complaint against the parents of the child who allegedly bullied the couple’s son.
Alfred and Yasmine alleged that the minor child “repeatedly pushed and held [their] son underwater during swimming training sessions.” Alfred added that similar incidents happened several times despite their appeal to the parents of the alleged bully to manage the minor’s conduct.
Kurdi, whose daughter was also allegedly bullied at her previous school, empathized with the pair through the comments section of the actor-turned-Quezon City councilor’s Instagram page on Monday, April 13.
“This is really heartbreaking, but also a wake-up call. I know how this feels. The pain and anxiety for the whole family,” Kurdi wrote. “We’ve been through it, and it’s not easy seeing your child go through that.”
“What’s hard is that bullying doesn’t just happen once it builds up over time. From being singled out, to anxiety, to feeling unsafe, it really affects them deeply,” she continued.
Kurdi further noted that what makes bullying incidents worse are the parents who, even when already informed of their children’s misbehavior, just dismiss such a matter.
“This is why taking a stand matters! Accountability is the only way it stops,” she stressed.
Addressing the couple, she added, “Praying for your family. Stay strong Vargas Family. Every child deserves to feel safe and protected.”
Aside from Kurdi, celebrity mom Dianne Medina also expressed support to the Vargas family.
“Standing up against bullying takes real courage. No child deserves to go through that,” she said in the comments section. “Full support to you and your family, Kuya Alfred and Yasmine for taking action and protecting your child.”
Meanwhile, Yasmine thanked in a separate post the administration of her son’s school, Ateneo de Manila University, and clarified that the alleged bullying incident happened outside the premises of the educational institution.
“I am grateful to the university administration for keeping the campus a safe and inclusive place for our children,” she wrote.
Aside from their son, Alfred and Yasmine have three more children. (Anne Pasajol © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
