Actress and social media personality Awra Briguela has started 2026 by speaking out against online bullying, saying she will no longer stay silent amid years of transphobic and homophobic attacks.
In a series of posts on X, Awra directly addressed her bashers, revealing the emotional toll of persistent online harassment.
“You’ve all been bullying me online, picking on me every single day,” she wrote. “I chose to ignore everything, even though I was getting hurt every single day, despite not doing anything to any of you.”
Awra said people had grown comfortable disrespecting her because she chose not to defend herself for a long time. She questioned why she was being portrayed as the villain now that she has finally decided to speak up.
“But when I finally do, I’m suddenly the bad person?” she wrote. “It’s 2026, yet so many of you still enjoy bullying someone who is trying to grow, improve, and redeem herself from past mistakes.”
Her statement came after a viral exchange with a netizen who mocked her appearance by saying, “‘Yung mouthpiece talaga nagdala.” Awra clapped back with, “‘Yung ngipin ko limang taon na sahod mo.”
Another user then criticized her response, suggesting she could have taken a more restrained approach and referencing her past legal controversy. Awra, however, explained that she had reached a breaking point.
“I’m tired of being the bigger person,” she said. “I promise myself that I will no longer give transphobes the freedom to bully me.”
“One thing I should’ve done sooner was be meaner to those transphobes. I don’t care anymore. I will stand up for myself this time,” she added.
Awra’s posts also touched on her personal goals for the year, saying she is focusing on herself and her “transitioning era” as she continues to work on growth and self-improvement.
The actress has been under intense public scrutiny in recent years. In 2023, she was detained by Makati City police following a brawl outside a bar in Poblacion. She later posted bail and filed a counter-affidavit related to the complaints filed against her.
In 2025, Awra shared a more positive milestone when she showed her academic grades to Vice Ganda, expressing gratitude and saying, “This is all for you,” in a moment that resonated with many of her supporters.
