Broadcast journalist Kim Atienza and his wife Felicia “Feli” Atienza honored their daughter Emman with heartfelt eulogies, remembering the joy she brought to their family.
Emman, a 19-year-old Sparkle artist, TikTok content creator and mental health advocate, passed away in October, leaving family, friends, and followers in deep grief.
Speaking before loved ones and supporters during the final night of her wake on Tuesday, Nov. 4, at Heritage Park in Taguig City, Kuya Kim expressed gratitude for the outpouring of comfort during what he described as “a very tough few days.”
“Tonight is a night of thanksgiving,” he began. “I thank the Lord for what a beautiful life that He gave me. It’s a night of thanksgiving for the 19 beautiful years that He gave Emman to us.”
Kuya Kim remembered Emman as “a beautiful, kind, and generous person,” sharing moments of her generosity including how once she distributed money to household staff and even bought “twenty pizzas” for friends.
“That’s my Emman. So generous,” the TV host remarked. “My prayer every single night was for Emman to be safe, to heal, to be protected. And then Emman passed away.”
Kuya Kim also spoke about the many lives Emman touched, which became a source of strength for him. He recalled receiving a message from a student in Jakarta who shared that Emman’s story helped her hold on to life.
“’On the same day she passed, I also attempted’,” Kuya Kim narrated the letter. “’I don’t know why I am the one who’s still here, but I will continue to live in honor of your daughter’.”
“That’s one student she touched. She’s touched so many lives,” he lamented Emman’s positive impact to those who also struggled with their mental health.
Kuya Kim continued, “Be a little kind every day. My Emman is gone, this is the lowest point in my life. But I have hope, because if I’m kind today, just a little kind, then Emman is alive in my heart.”
He ended his message saying, “Emman, I love you. Say hello to Jesus for me.”
Meanwhile, Emman’s mother, Feli, lovingly recalled the reflections of Kim and herself she saw in her daughter, both in spirit and in character.
“They loved to sing, to act, to dance. They had that flair for the drum, the flair for life,” she said, referring to the father-daughter tandem.
“We shared very similar features, facial features, long legs. Emman was very intelligent. In fact, she’s a better version of me. She’s version two,” she shared, recalling how teachers consistently recognized Emman’s academic and emotional maturity.
“Emman was very, very intelligent and she also had very high EQ,” Feli said.
She described her daughter’s openness about her struggles and joy as something that deeply resonated with many, “The most outstanding feature and characteristic of Emman was her authenticity. Emman shared her stories openly. She shared her pain. She shared her struggles. But she also shared her joy. And that resonated deeply with many people.
“She always had space for others, even in her darkest moments. And the thunderous outpouring of love for Emman is testament to that,” added Feli.
Feli shared how she continues to feel her daughter’s presence in the laughter, music, and small memories Emman left behind, even wearing her favorite perfume in her honor.
“Now, in her absence, there is silence. But Emman, I still hear you,” she said. “I hear your boisterous laughter. I hear your yapping. I hear your singing. I still see you walking by in your sassy skirt, cartwheeling in the house, she loved dancing. And I smell your perfume all the time,” lamented Emman’s mother.
She tearfully continued, “You had a favorite perfume Jo Malone. She said, ‘Don’t ever tell anyone which Jo Malone it is.’ But Emman, I’m wearing your Jo Malone. In fact I snitched it from your bedroom. It’s mine now. And I’m wearing it tonight.”
Drawing strength from her faith, she said Emman’s spirit lives on in the lives she touched and promised to carry her daughter’s light forward.
“Emman, know that your spirit lives on in the people you have touched. And in my life, I know that you will guide me in my choices, and in my voice.”
Feli grew emotional recalling the moment she learned of Emman’s passing, “Emman, the moment I found out that we lost you, it was the deepest, deepest pain. I felt it. Heaven gained an angel.
“Know that I will carry your torch here on earth, Emman, Emman, Emman.”
Through tears, Feli ended her tribute by expressing hope that they would one day reunite, “Emman, you are my sunshine. You are my love. You are my everything. And one day, we will be together again. I love you.”
