TV host Kim Atienza with daughter Emman. ARCHIVE

TV host Kim “Kuya Kim” Atienza has responded to a netizen who blamed him for the death of his 19-year-old daughter, Emman, after he posted a Bible verse as a tribute to her. On Sunday (October 26), Atienza shared a clip of his youngest child singing, with the caption: “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised. Thank you for the 19 years of my dearest little Emmansky, Lord.” A commenter using the handle @joy replied, arguing that God did not take Emman’s life and that the parents had “fallen short”. “This is a common issue—many people misinterpret scripture to fit their own narratives. But let’s be clear: God did not take her life—she made that choice herself. If you are truly in Christ, the Holy Spirit will convict you to repent for the ways you may have fallen short as a parent. You were meant to be her primary protector, teacher, and guide. Tragically, she was left without the support she needed from the one who was supposed to be her anchor,” Joy said. Atienza responded directly to the commenter, naming her and pushing back: “Joy, you are an evangelical bully. My Emman did not make that choice as clearly as you make choices. My Emman was clinically depressed.” His wife, Felicia Hung-Atienza, also shared photos from Emman’s past photoshoot and wrote: “Bravest hearts build others — not break them. #choosekindness.” Emman, who died in Los Angeles, was a social media content creator and mental health advocate known for her candid posts about self-expression and emotional wellness. A police report confirmed that she died from ligature hanging. She had previously revealed that she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, ADHD, and Complex PTSD. The Atienza family announced her passing on Friday and thanked supporters for their prayers. Details of her wake have yet to be announced. The Atienza family have been receiving condolences from followers and fellow celebrities. Less than a year before her death, Emman spoke openly about her mental health struggles in a raw and emotional interview on Toni Talks. Her sudden passing on October 24 has brought renewed attention to her words — and to her courage in being vulnerable. She shared with show host Toni Gonzaga that she had been physically and verbally abused by her nanny as a child, and later manipulated by a schoolmate who coerced her into sending private photos that were shared among classmates. “She’d always insult me and call me stupid,” Emman recalled. “When I would move around too much, she would punch me.” At only four years old, she said, she was made to watch inappropriate videos — experiences that left deep emotional scars. By her teenage years, the trauma resurfaced when her private photos were shared without consent. “They thought I was a slut, so I believed that persona,” she admitted. For a while, she tried to fit into that label — hosting parties and trying to appear “cool.” But the pain caught up with her. “I started healing when I sought therapy,” she said. “My parents found out everything when I was already attending sessions.” Emman became a symbol of strength and honesty online. On TikTok, she found a community that embraced her authenticity. “People actually want to hear what I have to say. They actually care about me,” she said. “It helped me realize the value I can contribute to this world.” When she was criticized over a viral video joking about a ₱130,000 dinner bill, Emman faced a storm of hate online — but handled it with maturity. “Even if we did have that much money, it’s our choice and our freedom to do what we want with what we earned,” she explained. “I’ve been so honest about my privilege. I’m not ignorant, and I don’t deny it.” She often reminded her followers to stay kind to themselves. “When I started questioning myself again, I told myself I’m worthy,” she said. “Love is the only thing stronger than hate.” CAM/ICA/Expat Media
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