Real Talk

When Idol Kids Judges Opened Up About Bullying and Rising Above It

by Alexa Villano
July 10, 2025

During a break, the Idol Kids judges sat down and talked about their experiences with bullying and how they rose above it

Bullying remains a serious issue, especially online. Celebrities aren’t immune to it, and sometimes it hits harder than expected. Over time, they’ve learned to toughen up, block out unhelpful criticism, and find something positive in even the darkest moments.

Juan Karlos, Regine Velasquez, Angeline Quinto, and Gary Valenciano took a quick break from the Idol Kids auditions and shared personal stories about being bullied and what they’ve learned.

During a break, the Idol Kids judges sat down and talked about their experiences with bullying and how they rose above it — Photo screenshot from Idol Kids Philippines

Resilience and Fuel to Be Better

Gary V opened the conversation with Juan Karlos, who said he experienced bullying for being the “different-looking kid” in their area.

“Ako yung nagiging trip ng karamihan [bata],” the young singer shared. “It bothered me initially as a kid, but over time, I learned how to fight back.”

The “Ere” singer added that it wasn’t just school bullying that affected him, but what he called societal bullying.

“Growing up in a, for lack of a better term, poor environment—that whole feeling of being looked down on because you’re ‘low’—that made me more resilient.”

Regine Velasquez’s story

Regine shared that she, too, experienced bullying, especially after being diagnosed with dyslexia. Back then, she said, the condition was often equated with being “not smart.”

“I was an outcast. It didn’t help that I was poor and ugly,” she said. “Yung bullying na iyon, ginamit ko para maging fuel to achieve what I wanted.”

Angeline Quinto on Fighting Bullying

While some stories carried emotional weight, Angeline Quinto’s experience stood out for its unexpected humor.

“Nakaisip ako ng diskarte na gagawin. Yung nang-bubully sa akin, close ko kasi yung crush niya. Para matigil na siya sa kakabully ako, sinabi ko sa lalaki na crush ka ni ganito. O ayon, naging sila dahil sa akin,” she shared as the judges burst into laughter.

Gary V’s Turning Point

Gary, who has been in the industry for decades, wasn’t spared either. He recalled a time in school when a classmate harassed him for no clear reason. Eventually, the bully graduated, but a moment years later brought clarity.

“Walang kasama yung binubully,” he said. “Biglang nakita ko yung sarili ko kung sakaling nangyari sa akin iyon. Kilala ko kasi yung nang-bully, at sinabi ko, ‘Pare, huwag na lang.’”

“Pagkatapos ng lahat, lumapit ako sa taong iyon at sabi ko okay lang. Umiyak ng kaunti at nagpasalamat sa akin,” he said.

Message to Victims of Bullying

As the Idol Kids judges prepared to return to work, Juan Karlos shared a heartfelt reminder: “Para sa lahat ng mga nabu-bully, dapat number one, magsabi sila sa pamilya nila na nabu-bully sila. Whatever people are going through—especially the kids—they should tell somebody.”

To the Parents: Empower Your Children

While parents often wish to shield their children from harm and criticism, the truth is—they can’t. Kids will face challenges, and parents won’t always be there. But one thing they can do? Empower them.

Empowering means teaching children the values they need to stand tall. It means reminding them never to doubt themselves. And most of all, it means showing up, listening, and making sure they always feel loved.