Content Warning: The following article mentions bullying.
Actress Yasmien Kurdi celebrated a meaningful milestone for her daughter, Ayesha Zara, more than a year after the young girl faced an alleged bullying incident at her previous school.
On Instagram, the Kapuso star shared that Ayesha earned exemplary conduct recognition and placed third in her class for two terms.
“There are stories I don’t share… especially the ones that once tried to break my child. Ayesha Zara has always been a kind soul… gentle, understanding, the type of child who chooses to stay soft even when the world is not,” Yasmien wrote.
The actress then looked back on a difficult chapter in their lives, recalling how her daughter’s kindness was tested. “But there was a time when that kindness was tested. She was hurt, and instead of being protected, people chose to question her, twist stories, and place blame where it never belonged, just to protect their own reputation. As a parent, that kind of pain cuts deeper than anything.
“But here she is. Still kind. Still standing. Still choosing to be kind to everyone.”
Seeing her daughter's continued progress, Yasmien shared that she and her husband, Rey Soldevilla Jr., treated her with a simple gift.
“Super proud of you!!! Worth it ang pag-aaral mo araw-araw 😘 Hindi lang talino ang pinapakita mo 🥹 kundi puso 🫶🏻 And that matters more than anything. Nakakaproud ka. Sobra. Mahal na mahal ka namin,” she expressed.
“Keep shining, #AyeshaZara . The world needs more hearts like yours. 💛”
She also left a firm message to those who allegedly bullied her daughter, saying: “And to those who once tried to ruin her name… you will not succeed! Because her truth, her character, and her light will always speak louder than lies.”
Back in December 2024, the Kapuso actress claimed that a group of students in Ayesha’s previous school “ganged up” on her daughter as she “was unable to keep up with group messages about their upcoming Christmas party.”
READ: Yasmien Kurdi transfers daughter to homeschooling after alleged bullying incident
"She experienced a lot of traumatic stuff in her life. Ang dami-dami niyang pinagdaanan. Naaawa lang ako sa anak ko. Sobra. And as a mom, nandito ako siyempre to protect my kid," she said in an interview with Boy Abunda.
"We sought for help. Pumunta ako dun. It wasn't just one time na nangyari 'to. Actually we already filed a complaint sa Department of Education pero sana they looked into it,” she added.
Following the incident, Yasmien took steps to support her daughter’s recovery, including therapy and pulling her out of her previous school. Ayesha was enrolled in a homeschooling program before eventually returning to a new school the following year.
READ: Yasmien Kurdi and Nelson Canlas team up for children's book to raise awareness about bullying
Earlier this year, she collaborated with journalist Nelson Canlas on a children’s book titled Si Jose at ang Mahiwagang Taguri, which aims to raise awareness about bullying. The project was dedicated to Ayesha, where she included a poem written by her daughter.