Kuya Kim recalls fondest memory with daughter Emman Atienza
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Kuya Kim recalls one of his happiest memories with his daughter, Emman Atienza, and reminds everyone to practice kindness every day.
The recent passing of Emman Atienza, the youngest daughter of television host and environmental advocate Kuya Kim Atienza, has deeply moved the nation.
In a heartfelt interview with 24 Oras, Kuya Kim opened up about his family's emotional journey through grief and acceptance, offering a powerful message of love, kindness, and mental health awareness.
He recalled the moment that changed his life forever -- a father's greatest fear realized.
Kuya Kim shared that he learned about Emman's passing through his wife, Felicia Atienza.
“Sana hindi 'to tunay. Sana sana ah nag nag-attempt, sana nasa hospital. So I called Feli. And then Feli said, 'Emman is gone.'”
“Nalambot ako talaga no'n. Um, ito na yung kinakatakutan ko. Kung merong isang bagay akong kinakatakutan sa buong buhay ko na mangyari, ito 'yun. Nangyari na nga. Nung unang mga araw, tinanong ko si Lord e, 'Lord, bakit? Bakit?' But now, unti-unti lumalabas ang dahilan bakit ah binawi niya si Eman. Ang dami kong 'what if' eh. Nagkulang ba ako sa oras na binigay ko sa anak ko? Nagkulang ba ako sa pangaral? I'm out here talking, telling people the gospel.”
His honesty reveals the deep pain, guilt, and questioning that often accompany grief, but also the beginnings of acceptance.
“Was I able to share enough to my family, to my kid? That gives me pain.”
When asked if Emman left a note, Kuya Kim admitted that she did. He shared that she left behind a letter for her loved ones before her passing -- but he chooses to keep it private.
"[I] didn't read it. It was going to be ugly. So we want to remember Emman for all the beauty, for all the good things.”
Instead, he chooses to hold on to one of his fondest memories -- their time together at the GMA Gala 2024.
“The GMA ball. The first one. When she first walked on the carpet, she felt so beautiful and then she felt so important. And then the pictures were being taken. She was posting. She was so beautiful. I was so proud of her. Core memory namin, na I would never forget how beautiful she was that night. She was blooming.”
Through every word, Kuya Kim's pride and love as a father shine through.
“I'm so proud of you. You know that naman, alam naman niya e. Hindi lang niya sinasabi sa akin, nakukulitan kasi sa akin 'yan kasi palagi ko yan sinasabi sa kanya e. She knows that I am proud of her. Emma knows that papa loves her so much.”
Despite his immense pain, Kuya Kim finds comfort in hearing from others whose lives were touched by Emman's openness and kindness.
He shared how messages from strangers remind him of the impact his daughter made.
“Marami akong nakuha mga messages eh, Vicky. I still am on social media because pag binuksan ko social media ko, I see a lot of these kids, a lot of people messaging me, telling me how Emma has touched to life. Yun ang comforting.”
In their grief, the Atienza family continues to champion mental health awareness, urging compassion -- especially in online spaces where words can heal or harm.
“Ang legacy ni Eman. Mag-ingat ka. Be a little kinder. Pwede kang makamatay. Pwede kang makasakit. Pwede kang maka makasakit ng tao. But Eman, I just want to say that, you did not die in vain. May dahilan. There's a reason why you left and papa and mama will make sure that that reason is spread to as many people as possible. And when people are kinder, then Emman is alive. When I'm a little kinder today, Emman is alive in my heart.”
Through Kuya Kim's words, the tragedy becomes a call for awareness, empathy, and openness. He reminds everyone that mental health struggles are real -- and that they deserve understanding, not silence or stigma.
Kuya Kim draws strength from Emman's story; her honesty, light, and kindness continue to inspire others to speak up and seek help.
As the family holds Emman's wake on November 3 and 4 at The Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig City, Kuya Kim's message remains clear: every act of kindness keeps his daughter's memory alive.
“When I'm a little kinder today, Emman is alive in my heart.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, help is available.
NATIONAL CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH (NCMH) CRISIS HOTLINE
0919-057-1553 | 0917-899-8727
HOPELINE PHILIPPINES (Natasha Goulbourn Foundation)
02-8804-4673 | 0917-558-4673 | 0918-873-4673 | 0919-056-0709 | 0917-800-1123 | 0922-893-8944
TAWAG PAGLAUM - Centro Bisaya
0966-467-9626 | 0939-936-5433 | 0939-937-5433
IN TOUCH: Crisis Line
0919-056-0709 | 0917-800-1123 | 0922-893-8944
