October marks Mental Health Awareness Month in the Philippines, observed under Proclamation No. 452. For television host and former politician Kim Atienza, better known as Kuya Kim, the occasion carries a deeply personal meaning after the passing of his daughter, Emman.
“People say that the kids nowadays are weak. No, they’re not. They’re just different because the factors that affect their mind are different from the factors that affected our minds,” Atienza tells Rolling Stone Philippines. He explains that if “boomers” were the kids now, they would understand the circumstances (like social media) that shape the mental health of young people, which differ from the past.
Since the passing of his daughter, Atienza has become more vocal about mental health, recognizing how conversations around it have grown more open and frequent. He believes her passing has encouraged parents to listen more closely to their children and young people to speak more openly about what they are going through. For him, “Emman’s death saves lives.”
“So, a little kindness, especially coming from a public person like me, can save a lot of lives. I don’t know how many kids got saved, but hopefully at least one,” he adds.
He explains that through his platform, he gets to speak with thousands of young people who want to open up about their worries. He reasoned out that this is why he describes himself as “apolitical” despite coming from a political family to avoid alienating young people across political spectrums who need help.
“If I say that I’m pink, then all the DDS kids will stop. If I say I’m DDS, all the Pinklawan kids, it’s going to be awkward for them. It’s easy for me to analyze [politics] because I was 12 years a politician and very political as well. But social media, for me, especially Threads, is not the place to be [divisive] because of the role that’s given to me, which is to be a safe space for everyone, regardless of political color,” he explains.
Atienza has also understood grief in a new way after Emman’s passing, having previously believed it would pass over time. Now, he’s learned it’s not linear, but comes in waves. “My grieving for Emman will never go away because I love Emman. And grief is love that is not realized because she’s gone.”
As he continues to honor her life, he finds purpose in grief, saying that fulfilling his daughter’s purpose removes the pain that goes with her death.
Ultimately, Atienza does not only want to be remembered for the iconic catchphrase, “Ang buhay ay weather-weather lang!”, his signature hat, or his numerous trivia, but also for the life lessons he taught people: how he taught them to be a little kind, to be a safe space for their colleagues, and the real values of life.
“I became a little kinder because of Kuya Kim,” he says, describing the legacy he hopes to leave behind.
Besides mental health, he also discussed his past experience in the seminary, his spirituality, and his background in politics. You can watch the full Rolling Stone Philippines Interview on YouTube.
frequently asked questions
Kim Atienza, also known as “Kuya Kim,” is a Television presenter, famous for his trivia and the catchphrase “Ang buhay ay weather-weather lang!” He is also a former politician.
Mental Health Awareness Month is observed every October in the Philippines under Proclamation No. 452.
Kim Atienza calls himself apolitical, despite coming from a political family and serving 12 years as a politician, so young people across political lines can approach him for help. He says his role on social media, especially Threads, is to be a safe space regardless of political color.
Atienza describes grief as non-linear, arriving in waves rather than passing over time as he once believed. He says his grieving for Emman will never go away because he loves her, calling grief love that is not realized because she is gone.
Kim Atienza became more vocal about mental health after the death of his daughter, Emman. He says her passing has encouraged parents to listen more closely to their children and young people to speak openly about what they are going through.
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