Lance Joseph Martinez

‘Heaven Gained an Angel’: Kim and Feli Atienza Reflect on Fondest Memories of Daughter Emman During Final Night of Her Wake

Article (news)

<p>It has been a couple of weeks since the internet began mourning the sudden passing of <strong>Emman Atienza</strong>, the youngest of three children of Filipino TV host <strong>Kim Atienza</strong> and Taiwanese educator–conservationist <strong>Felicia Hung-Atienza.</strong></p><p>Since her passing in October, condolences and messages of sympathy have continued to pour in for the Atienza family, both online and in person. On the final night of Emman’s wake, her family, friends, and people closest to her gathered to celebrate the 19 beautiful years she lived—a night filled with love, memories, and thanksgiving for the life she shared with everyone around her.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762319649818feliciaatienza_1761951410_3755843110887934484_210007167.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @feliciaatienza</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>As the family took the time to share their reflections and celebrate Emman’s life, Kim and Felicia chose to relive their fondest memories of their daughter, whom they described as the kindest and most generous person they have ever known.</p><p>Kim admitted that it had been a painful period for their family since Emman’s death. “The family’s been going through a very tough, tough few days since Emman died. And you give us comfort, our family, and our friends. Maraming maraming salamat,” he said.</p><p>However, despite the sadness that surrounded them, the family expressed that the final night of the wake was also a thanksgiving, a celebration of gratitude for the 19 meaningful years that Emman lived and shared with others.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762319688360feliciaatienza_1761274221_3750162432875640796_210007167.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @feliciaatienza</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Kim described Emman as “beautiful, kind person, and was so generous.” The father went on to reveal how his daughter never placed much value on money, a quality that made her “so generous to a fault.”</p><p>He fondly shared that Emman would often ask for money from him, his wife, and even from his father, only to give it away to others who needed it more.</p><p>Kim recalled a specific instance that left a deep impression on him—one Christmas Day when Emman received a generous amount of money from her grandfather and decided to share it all with the household staff.</p><p>“Emman told me, ‘Papa, I gave 30,000 pesos to the driver. I gave 20,000 pesos to Alicia. I gave 10,000 pesos to our gardener. And they were crying tears of joy,’” Kim revealed.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762319722418feliciaatienza_1761274221_3750162432909198126_210007167.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @feliciaatienza</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>To which he lovingly responded, “‘Emman, they cry because they’ve never received anything that big in their life. But I want to tell you that I’m not going to tell your mom because your mom will get very pissed. But I want to say that I am so proud of you.’ That’s my Emman. She’s so generous to a fault.”</p><p>Meanwhile, Felicia described Emman, whom she fondly referred to as her “Mini-me,” as someone who was exceptionally intelligent, emotionally mature, and authentic. She expressed how proud she was of her daughter’s strong sense of self and her ability to share her light and truth with others, especially through her presence online.</p><p>Emman had made a mark on social media as a mental health advocate, admired for her creativity, candid storytelling, and strong stance on women empowerment. Through her openness, she inspired many young people to embrace authenticity and kindness.</p><p>Feli shared how even Emman’s teachers had recognized her brilliance and sincerity early on. “When she went to boarding school, grade 11, just for one semester, her English teacher wrote in her transcript that Eman was one of the most outstanding students I have ever had. Eman was very, very intelligent. And she had a very high EQ as well,” Feli revealed.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762319815659feliciaatienza_1761274221_3750162432875652244_210007167.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @feliciaatienza</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>She also shared a touching story about her daughter’s favorite perfume, a small but meaningful reminder of Emman’s presence that she now holds close to her heart. “I smell her perfume all the time. She had a favorite perfume, Jo Malone. And she says, don’t ever tell anyone which Jo Malone it was. But Emman, I’m wearing her Jo Malone. In fact, I snitched it from her bedroom, and it’s now mine. And I’m wearing it tonight,” she said.</p><p>Feli went on to highlight how her daughter’s authenticity touched so many lives, saying that Emman’s openness about her pain, struggles, and joy resonated deeply with others.</p><p>“Emman shared 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 I think the thunderous outpouring of love for Emman is a testament to that,” she said.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762319842739feliciaatienza_1761274221_3750162432850487787_210007167.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @feliciaatienza</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Kim also shared how Emman’s passing had created ripples of awareness and reflection among people, including international students who reached out to their families after hearing about her story. He revealed how deeply moved he was to learn that Emman’s influence extended beyond the Philippines.</p><p>“Her cause, a little kindness, is being talked about all over the world,” he said in an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN&#x27;s Gretchen Fullido, referring to Emman’s advocacy of spreading kindness and compassion through her words and actions.</p><p>To Kim, the overwhelming love and messages of support they received after Emman’s passing became a sign of faith, a reminder that her life and death carried a greater purpose.</p><p>“And, I guess it’s God’s way of showing me that Emma did not die in vain, that her death may have purpose,” Kim concluded.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762319866218feliciaatienza_1761274221_3750162432875641237_210007167.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @feliciaatienza</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Following Emman Atienza’s passing, <strong>Senator JV Ejercito</strong> has filed the <strong>Anti-Online Hate and Harassment Bill</strong>, also known as the <strong>“Emman Atienza Bill</strong>.<strong>”</strong> The proposed measure aims to combat the alarming rise of cyberbullying, online defamation, and fake news, issues that have increasingly affected vulnerable internet users, particularly the youth.</p><p>In a Facebook post, the senator expressed his hopes that Emman’s death would serve as a wake-up call for change.</p><p>&quot;We hope Emman’s passing will not be in vain as we push for the immediate passage of this measure. We need to bring back kindness online, where people pause and think before they post. We must prevent another tragedy where our fellowmen, especially the youth, are pushed to the breaking point by the vitriol of online hate,&quot; he wrote.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762324078318574093875_1413833960106309_2973533566347507877_n.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from JV Ejercito</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><em><strong>If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis and needs someone to talk to, please contact:<br/></strong></em></div><div><strong><em>National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) Crisis Hotline at 1553 (Luzon-wide landline toll-free), 0917-899-8727, (02) 7-989-8727</em></strong></div><div><br/></div><p><strong><em></em></strong><em></em><em></em>Lead photos from <strong>@feliciaatienza</strong><em><strong></strong></em><em></em><strong><em></em></strong><br/></p>

<p>It has been a couple of weeks since the internet began mourning the sudden passing of <b>Emman Atienza</b>, the youngest of three children of Filipino TV host <b>Kim Atienza</b> and Taiwanese educator–conservationist <b>Felicia Hung Atienza.</b></p>

It has been a couple of weeks since the internet began mourning the sudden passing of Emman Atienza , the youngest of three children of Filipino TV host Kim Atienza and Taiwanese educator–conservationist Felicia Hung Atienza.