Kuya Kim Atienza expressed that he is still grieving about the passing of his youngest child, Emman Atienza. In his first sit-down interview after the funeral of his daughter, the celebrity father told King of Talk Boy Abunda that he’ll make sure that her death will not be in vain.
Emman passed away last October 22 as announced by the family and to the shock of many of her fans. She was 19 years old at the time of her passing.
READ: Kuya Kim Atienza's daughter Emman passes away
Kim shared that grief “comes and goes” as he explained how he’s okay now but there are days that he’ll be missing his daughter.
“It comes and goes eh–– may mga araw na hindi ako okay, may mga araw na okay ako. Kumbaga, yung grief kasi parang ambush yan. Ngayon, okay ako biglang may maalala ako na ginawa namin ni Emman. Maalala ko yung mukha ni Emman or something that reminds me of Emman and then, it attacks you,” he explained.
“My grief will stay with me all my life but I will learn to walk hand in hand with it,” he continued.
The Kapuso broadcaster added that having a routine keeps him distracted from the emotions that he feels. He then shared that his family–– his wife Felicia and his children, Eliana and Jose–– have the same personalities and have been “very poised” during these trying times for them.
“Yung dalawang anak ko, si Jose at Eliana, they look like me but they’re very much like their mom. Ibang grief nila, ibang grief ko. Mas emotional ako, sila mas rational and very poised,” he said.
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He then shared how his faith has helped me navigate through his grief and has been holding on to it ever since the tragedy happened. He claimed that he is hopeful that he will be reunited with Emman again in the future.
“I’ve never been as broken as I am now. I’ve never been as heartbroken as I am now. Yet, despite the pain and despite the grief, I have peace that God–– Jesus Christ–– is walking with me. I know nothing is an accident–– this is all for a good purpose,” he shared.
“It may be painful now, it may hurt me now, but I know this is for good. That Emman didn’t die in vain. Her death was not beautiful yet this will turn out beautiful, I know, and that gives me hope,” he added.
While he hasn’t disclosed any details yet, Kim hinted that they are planning something in the future to make sure that their daughter’s death won’t be in vain.
“Even me and Feli, marami kaming gagawin. Magluluksa lamang kami ng ilang buwan o ilang linggo. Marami kaming gagawin. Marami akong nais gawin for Emman so her death is not in vain–– para may dahilan yung pagkamatay niya,” he ended.