MANILA, Philippines — Actress Yasmien Kurdi has voiced her strong support for Quezon City Councilor Alfred Vargas and his wife Yasmine following their decision to file a criminal complaint against the parents of their son’s alleged bully.
Kurdi, who faced a similar legal battle regarding her daughter Ayesha in late 2024, shared a message of solidarity, highlighting the emotional toll that bullying takes on the entire family.
Commenting on the Vargases’ social media announcement, Kurdi expressed her empathy for the couple, noting that she understands the “pain and anxiety” they are experiencing.
“This is really heartbreaking, but also a wake-up call,” Kurdi wrote. “I know how this feels… We’ve been through it, and it’s not easy seeing your child go through that.”
The actress particularly noted the frustration of dealing with other parents who fail to take accountability. “Mas masakit pa when parents are already informed but choose to dismiss or even laugh it off instead of correcting their child. That kind of response only makes things worse,” she added.
The Vargases’ case and Kurdi’s previous experience share striking similarities in their allegations of “parental enabling”:
- Parental Liability: Both families have pursued legal action under Republic Act 7610 (Child Abuse Act), arguing that the parents of bullies have a legal duty to supervise and discipline their children.
- Dismissive Responses: Alfred Vargas claimed they were “gaslighted” and dismissed by the other parents; Kurdi similarly reported in 2024 that parents of her daughter’s bullies defended the behavior as a “regular meeting” despite her child being ganged up on.
- School Environment: Both incidents occurred in settings meant to be safe—Kurdi’s daughter was targeted in a private school, while the Vargas son was allegedly bullied during organized swimming training and competitions.
Kurdi has become a vocal advocate against school bullying since her daughter was targeted by a group of students in a “hate club” in 2024. Her support for the Vargas family signals a growing trend of high-profile parents using the legal system to challenge the culture of bullying and parental negligence in the Philippines.
Alfred Vargas, in his statement, thanked those who have stood by them, noting that they chose to “fight back, not for revenge, but to stand up for my child and for all the children who are afraid to speak up.”
The Vargases’ complaint is currently with the Office of the City Prosecutor of Manila, with further hearings on the matter expected later this month.