Kim Atienza remembers Emman one year after her death

A year after the passing of his beloved daughter, Emman Atienza, television personality Kim Atienza continues to face the heartbreaking reality of losing a child, drawing strength from his Christian faith while preserving the memories of a young woman whose kindness touched many lives.

As the Atienza family commemorated Emman’s first death anniversary on 22 October, Kim’s emotional revelations about his daughter’s mental health struggles offered a deeply personal look at the pain, regrets and lessons that have shaped his family’s journey through grief.

During an emotional conversation with Toni Gonzaga on Toni Talks, Kim admitted that despite being praised for his strength, he remains vulnerable to the overwhelming sadness brought by his daughter’s passing.

“People say, ‘Kim, you’re so strong. You’re incredible.’ But I’m not strong. I’m weak. I just have someone to lean on, and that’s what makes me stronger,” he shared.

The television host also acknowledged experiencing moments of profound despair when he wished he could follow his daughter in death.

“If it were entirely up to me, I would follow Emman. I want to die, too,” he admitted.

However, Kim emphasized that his faith has helped him endure the tragedy and find a reason to continue living.

“Because I have the Lord… The Lord made me Christian and made me accept Him for this moment and for this season in my life. Because if we’re not Christian, I wouldn’t know what to do. But because I have Him, then there’s purpose in Emman’s death,” he explained.

He also expressed his belief that he would eventually be reunited with his daughter.

“I have faith that I will see my Emman again when the time comes,” he said.

Beyond discussing his grief, Kim opened up about Emman’s mental health struggles, revealing that she had previously confided in him and his wife, Felicia, about experiencing suicidal thoughts.

“She told us, ‘Papa, Mama, I have suicidal tendencies,’” he recalled.

Kim admitted that his initial reaction was to hope that his daughter’s admission was not serious, reflecting on how parents sometimes struggle to recognize the severity of their children’s emotional difficulties.

He explained that the family eventually sought professional assistance for Emman, who was subsequently diagnosed with bipolar I disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Approximately three years before her passing, the family also brought Emman to mental health professionals in Santa Monica, California, hoping to provide her with the treatment and guidance she needed.

One of the most emotional moments of the interview came when Kim revealed that he only discovered the extent of his daughter’s compassion for others during her wake.

Despite dealing with her own difficulties, Emman had reportedly been responding to private messages from young followers seeking encouragement and emotional support.

“She was actually accepting DMs from her followers despite the fact that she was quitting. She was giving advice to kids. I only learned about it during her wake,” Kim recalled.

Several young people later approached the grieving father to tell him how Emman had helped them through difficult moments.

Some shared that Emman had personally communicated with them and offered words of encouragement when they needed someone to listen.

The revelation left Kim deeply moved, knowing that his daughter had continued reaching out to others even while facing her own struggles.

Reflecting on Emman’s compassion, Toni observed, “She was in the dark and yet she was giving light to others who were in the dark.”

Kim responded with three heartbreaking words: “She was in pain.”

Meanwhile, Emman’s mother, Felicia Atienza, marked her daughter’s first death anniversary by sharing a collection of treasured photographs on Instagram.

Accompanying the images was a simple but deeply moving tribute.

“One year without you, my beautiful mini-me,” Felicia wrote.

The photographs captured precious memories of their relationship, offering a glimpse of the love that continues to bind the family despite Emman’s absence.

For Kim and Felicia, the anniversary represents not only a painful reminder of their daughter’s passing but also an opportunity to remember the joy, affection and compassion she brought into their lives.

Kim’s revelations have also renewed conversations about mental health awareness, particularly the importance of taking expressions of emotional distress seriously, maintaining open communication within families and seeking professional support.

His reflections serve as a reminder that emotional suffering is not always visible, even among individuals who appear cheerful, compassionate and willing to help others.

One year after Emman’s passing, Kim continues to find strength in his faith and comfort in the belief that his daughter’s life had meaning beyond the tragedy of her death.

And while the pain of losing Emman remains, the television host holds on to the hope that someday, he will see his beloved daughter again.