Yassi Pressman proud of younger sister Issa for being ‘vulnerable’

Yassi Pressman has nothing but pride for her younger sister Issa for allowing herself to be open about her vulnerability, after the latter spoke about her battle with depression in a recent interview.

Issa made headlines after openly discussing her battle with depression, anxiety, and self-harm in an interview with Karen Davila earlier this month. She also spoke about how her relationship with James Reid and closeness with Yassi were her biggest sources of strength.

“She is one of the reasons why I’m still alive. I’m so proud of her, sobra. As in,” an emotional Yassi said at a junket for “Roja” when asked about her younger sister’s interview with Davila. “I think it took a lot of time for her to be that vulnerable and strong. And she eventually talked about it.”

Yassi said Issa’s “bravery” to discuss her mental health battles is a reminder that people go through “silent battles” which would lead into “generational trauma.”

“Sana ma-pick up ng mga tao is how difficult times are when people are quiet and their silent battles. For me, I’m so proud of her for her bravery and how she grew up [from it],” she said. “Merong kang choice na mapuno ang puso mo ng galit at poot, at hinanakit forever. And that gives us generational trauma. But she had the bravery to cut it out.”

In Yassi’s eyes, Issa has “a beautiful light” and is brave enough to say she is “still growing.” The actress also confessed that she couldn’t live without her younger sister.

“She was brave to say that she is still growing… and she just has such a beautiful light. Hindi ko kayang mabuhay nang wala siya. Sana hindi mamatay ‘yung brightness and ilaw na meron siya. Once you get to know her, she’s such a beautiful person,” she said.

‘Misunderstood’ Issa

As an ate, Yassi is aware of what Issa had been through. This is why she hoped that the public would see her “sweet heart” and how she always remained kind to others.

“I know most of the things she has been through, of course. I tried to always be there. What I love about her is that she is always kind to others. She has the sweetest heart. And when she connects with you, she just wants to give. Sobrang bait talaga siya. Kahit minsan [tinatanong] ko siya kung gusto niya pang lumaban,” she said.

As much as Yassi believes that Issa is “misunderstood,” she found peace in the fact that she can’t keep explaining herself to other people.

“She is misunderstood. But to be honest, you really can’t keep explaining yourself sa ibang tao. Para sa’kin, as long as sinasabi mo katotohanan and after that, kayo na lang. I think it’s important that people know that bullying people for fun is not okay. It’s not,” she said. “Kapag sa totoong buhay, if a kid gets bullied, anong gagawin natin? She has my support.”

While Yassi and Issa entered the entertainment industry as an actress and singer, respectively, they were never insecure about each other.

“There’s not an inch of insecurity sa’ming dalawa magkapatid,” she said. “She has always supported me since Day 1. Ang gusto lang niya [is we will always be there for each other] as a friend.”

Yassi marked her Kapamilya comeback with “Roja,” an action drama that also starred Donny Pangilinan, Kyle Echarri, and Maymay Entrata. 

She was also one of the lead stars of the 2025 horror film “Isolated.”