
Family, friends, and fans continue to grieve the loss of social media influencer and Kuya Kim Atienza's beloved daughter, Emmanuelle “Emman” Atienza.
During her wake, memories and messages of love poured in from those whose lives Emman touched with her family expressed deep sorrow over her passing.
In an emotional interview with Vicky Morales on 24 Oras, Kuya Kim looked back on both the happy moments and the pain of losing his daughter.
"Alam namin may problema si Emman. So we were calling her the next day, 'di sumasagot. We know there's a problem. May kutob ako nu'n. Noong natulog ako nu'ng gabing iyon, ang prayer ko kay Lord, 'Sana huwag. Sana safe si Emman. Please protect my little Emman,'" Kuya Kim recalled.
The Kapuso host admitted that it was difficult to accept at first, questions of why and what ifs spiraling in his head. Yet, Kuya Kim slowly learned acceptance and comfort in this painful moment.
"I have this peace that I don't understand. The pain is deep, but the peace is just as deep. I know all things work out well. Panahon lang 'yan and I know na kinuha si Emman na may dahilan at ang dahilan ay maganda. I trust the Lord. Pero masakit, masakit 'yan," he shared.
As a way of honoring his daughter, Kuya Kim fondly remembered their core memory together at the GMA Gala 2024.
"When she first walked that carpet, she felt so beautiful and so important. The pictures we've taken, she was posing, so beautiful. So proud of her. Core memory namin 'yun. I will never forget how beautiful she was at that time. She was blooming," he said. "Emman, I'm so proud of you...She knows that I'm proud of her. Emman, whose papa loves her so much."
Emman's sister, Eliana, also reminisced about their close bond and fun moments together.
"She's hilarious. She has better fashion sense than I have," she described. "We like to stick our heads out of the car window because we like the air. So we would go down like EDSA or Osmena highway our heads out."
Still, Eliana admitted she is struggling to accept reality.
"Come back, I miss you," she said in her heartfelt message to her sister.
Aside from her humor and sense of style, Emman was known for being open about her mental health struggles. Her courage and honesty inspired many of her followers, a legacy that continues to comfort her grieving family.
"Marami akong nakukuhang messages. I'm still on social media because I see a lot of these kids, a lot of people messaging me, telling how Emman touched their life," Kuya Kim shared.
As his promise to his daughter, Kuya Kim vowed to continue sharing Emman's story and kindness with others.
"Ang legacy ni Emman mag-ingat ka, be a little kinder. Pwede ka makapatay, pwede ka makasakit ng tao," he said.
"But Emman I just want to say, you did not die in vain. May dahilan, there's a reason why you left. Papa and mama will make sure that reason is spread to as many people as possible. And if people are kinder everyday, then Emman is alive. When I'm a little kinder today, Emman is alive in my heart."
Emman Atienza passed away on October 22, 2025 at the age of 19. Her passing was confirmed by Kuya Kim with a heartfelt tribute post for his late daughter.
Following her passing, an Anti-Online Hate and Harassment Bill -- aiming to protect individuals from cyberbullying, fake news, and online defamation -- was filed in her honor. The proposed measure has been named the “Emman Atienza Bill.”
Take a look at these celebrities who call for kindness in the wake of Emman Atienza's death: