In a heart-wrenching episode of Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, TV host and weather anchor Kuya Kim Atienza opened up about the most painful chapter of his life — the loss of his daughter, Emman. Known for his composed and inspiring presence on television, Kuya Kim laid bare his soul, speaking not as a public figure but as a grieving father trying to make sense of unimaginable pain.
“We know that Emman is sick and she had a few attempts in the past. And my prayer to the Lord every single day was for this not to happen — for Emman to be safe, for Emman to be happy, for Emman to heal. Yet this happened…”
His voice broke as he recalled his daily prayers. The anguish in his tone mirrored the helplessness of every parent who has ever prayed for their child’s safety, only to face heartbreak.
Despite his faith, Kuya Kim admitted that the grief remains unpredictable and overwhelming.
“I’m good, pero grief comes in waves eh — minsan bumabagsak, ngayon okay ako. Ayoko mag-isa dahil kung mag-isa ako, medyo mabigat.”
(“I’m good, but grief comes in waves — sometimes it crashes down, right now I’m okay. I don’t like being alone because when I’m alone, it feels heavy.”)
Those words resonated deeply with viewers who know that mourning isn’t linear. It comes and goes, catching you off guard when you least expect it.
He then spoke tenderly about Emman’s strength and spirit — qualities that made her so loved, but also masked her pain.
“I raised very strong kids. Well, even Emman I thought was very strong, but I didn’t know that deep inside she was also suffering. Kasi she put up a very strong front, a very happy front, yet she was suffering and she was in pain.”
Emman’s openness about mental health became her advocacy. Through TikTok and guest appearances, she used her voice to encourage others to seek help, even as she struggled silently.
“She kept on talking about it openly with passion. In her TikTok, in her guesting, open siya eh. That is why we thought she was okay — because despite her pain, she was reaching out. Despite her pain, nagkukuwento siya eh. Ang advocacy niya: mental health, huwag ma-depress. Pero ’yun pala, she was suffering.”
Two days before tragedy struck, Kuya Kim and his wife received a message from Emman.
“Emman texted her mommy, sabi niya, ‘Mom, I’m in emergency right now, but worry not, there is no self-harm. But I need to go to a therapy center.’ Ayun ang message sa amin, so we knew there was something wrong. We tried calling her pero di sumasagot. The next day, we tried calling her, di rin sumasagot.”
("That was the message to us, so we knew there was something wrong. We tried calling her but she didn't answer. The next day, we tried calling her, she also didn't answer.”)
The next call they received changed their lives forever.
“Felli said, ‘Emman’s gone.’ Sabi ko, ‘Lord, dasal ko ’to araw-araw. Why?’”
(“Felli said, ‘Emman’s gone.’ I said, ‘Lord, I prayed for this every day. Why?’”)
Tears streamed down his face as he relived the moment that shattered his world. The man known for his resilience and optimism stood before millions, broken yet faithful.
“Lord, kahit bigyan mo ko ng cancer, okay — tiisin ko ’yan eh. Madali ang physical pain, titiisin ko ’yan. Pero ang mamatayan ka ng anak, ang sakit. Di mo alam saan galing ang sakit — masakit sa lahat.”
(“Lord, even if You give me cancer, that’s okay — I can endure that. Physical pain is bearable. But to lose a child — that’s the most painful. You don’t even know where the pain comes from — it hurts the most.”)
Still, Kuya Kim found solace in faith. He believes Emman’s passing carries a divine purpose.
“I know that nothing happens as an accident. All things work together for good. Everything is planned by the Lord. I know that this is not in vain. Emman did not die in vain. May dahilan at ang dahilan ay maganda. That gives me peace.”
("There is a reason and the reason is good.")
Through his pain, Kuya Kim reminds us of a powerful truth: grief is not weakness — it is love enduring beyond life itself. His words call for compassion and understanding, especially for those silently struggling.
As he concluded the interview, the message was clear — to love louder, listen deeper, and never take anyone’s quiet battles for granted. Because sometimes, the smallest gestures — a text, a hug, a listening ear — can save a life.