Kim Atienza

In this Filipino name, the middle name or maternal family name is Ilagan and the surname or paternal family name is Atienza.

Kim Atienza
Atienza as Tim in Shake, Rattle & Roll XV (2014)
Born
Alejandro Ilagan Atienza

(1967-01-24) January 24, 1967[1][2]
Malate, Manila, Philippines
Other namesKuya Kim
Alma materUniversity of the Philippines Diliman
Occupation
  • Television presenter
Political partyLiberal (1998–2004)
Other political
affiliations		PRP (1995–98)
Spouse
Felicia Hung
​
(m. 2002)​
[3]
Children3, including Emman
FatherLito Atienza
Relatives
Member of the Manila City Council from the 5th district
In office
June 30, 1995 – June 30, 2004
YouTube information
Channel
Years active2020–present
GenreVlogs
Subscribers379 thousand
Views16 million
Last updated: October 29, 2025

Alejandro "Kim" Ilagan Atienza (Tagalog pronunciation: [ɐˈtʃɛnsa]; born January 24, 1967[1][2]), also known by his nickname Kuya Kim (lit. 'Older Brother Kim'), is a Filipino television presenter and former politician. Prior to becoming the resident weather anchor for TV Patrol, Atienza served as councilor of Manila's 5th congressional district for three terms.[3][4] He is known for his famous trivia stints on TV and radio, especially in his own show, Matanglawin. He is currently working at GMA Network as a segment presenter for 24 Oras and 24 Oras Weekend, and as the host of daytime variety game show TiktoClock and infotainment program Dami Mong Alam, Kuya Kim!

Education

In 1984, Atienza entered the University of Santo Tomas, where he took up education as a freshman college student.[5] A year later, he transferred to the University of Philippines Diliman, where he would earn his bachelor's degree in film and audiovisual communication.[6] It was revealed that it took him seven years to finish college as he despised school. However, he clarified that he loved learning so he committed to finishing.[7]

Career

Political career (1995–2004)

Atienza was in politics for twelve years. From 1995 to 2004, he served as councilor of Manila from the 5th district for three terms.[4] One of his notable resolutions that he filed to the city council is the resolution in 1998 declaring American actress Claire Danes as persona non grata and banning her films after Danes criticized the state of Manila's cleanliness.[8] In 2004, he ran as representative of Manila's 5th congressional district but lost to Joey Hizon.[9] His father, then Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, asked him to run for Mayor of Manila in 2007, but he declined and retired from politics, calling the field and profession as "scary".[10]

Radio and television career (1987–present)

He started his broadcasting career in the early 1990s, as the anchor of "Mata ng Agila" ("Eye of the Eagle"), an early morning newscast of DZEC Radyo Agila 1062, together with Onin Miranda.[11]

Atienza started his stint on TV when he began hosting Magandang Umaga, Pilipinas' Animalandia, as well as voice acting in the 1990s. He is also best known for voicing Takeru (renamed as Michael Joe), portrayed by Japanese actor Ryousuke Kaizu from the Super Sentai series, Hikari Sentai Maskman, and he also references this in later years when he was being interviewed by fellow celebrity hosts.[12] In 2023, during an interview with Boy Abunda on Fast Talk with Boy Abunda, he revealed that he voiced Steve Armstrong in the Filipino dub of the 1999 Voltes V film.[13]

He worked as a protege for mainstay Ernie Baron, acting as ABS-CBN's weather tracker for TV Patrol until he became the show's weather presenter when the latter died of heart attack in 2006.[10]

He left the early morning show, Umagang Kay Ganda in 2009 to host the late morning variety show (and now noontime variety show) It's Showtime (then named Showtime).[14] He began hosting Matanglawin on March 24, 2008.[14]

He returned to radio for the 2nd time in DZMM (later DWPM Radyo 630 before it reverted to its former name since 2025) via Sakto with Amy Perez-Castillo, replacing original host Marc Logan who left the show.

On September 29, 2021, Atienza announced his departure from ABS-CBN, effective October 1, revealing his move to GMA Network. He made his final appearance on TV Patrol as a segment weather presenter on the latter date. He officially joined the competing newscast, 24 Oras, on October 4, introducing his eponymous segment, "#KuyaKimAnoNa," a week later on October 11. Additionally, he began hosting the talk show Mars Pa More on November 8 and a news magazine show titled Dapat Alam Mo! on GTV from October 18, 2021, to October 25, 2024. The latter show served as pre-programming for 24 Oras and had a provisional simulcast on GMA from February 14 to March 18, 2022.[15][16][17][18] In July 2022, Atienza became one of the leading hosts for the noontime variety game show TiktoClock, along with Pokwang and Rabiya Mateo (now replaced by Herlene Budol).[19]

Personal life

Family

Atienza is married to Felicia Hung,[3] and they have three children: Jose III, Eliana, and Emman. Felicia is the president and founding member of Chinese International School Manila (CISM). Kim Atienza is an avid marathoner, triathlete and cyclist. Politician Lito Atienza is Atienza's father, while politicians Ali Atienza, Maile Atienza, and Chi Atienza are his siblings.[14]

Eliana Atienza attended the University of Pennsylvania;[20] she was suspended in June 2024 for participating in the school's pro-Palestine campus encampment.[21] Atienza's other daughter, Emman, a 19-year-old TikTok influencer and a Sparkle GMA Artist Center talent, died by suicide in October 2025.[22] Previously, in 2023, Atienza had talked about making an effort to understand Emman's bipolar disorder diagnosis and provide her with professional help. He acknowledged that, as a member of Gen X, he initially failed to understand mental health, but knew it was "a matter of life and death" for his daughter because his 18-year-old niece, Andrea Atienza-Beltran, had died by suicide in 2015.[23]

Health issues

Atienza had a stroke in 2010.[10] In 2013, he was diagnosed with Guillain–Barré syndrome, a rare disease that attacks the nervous system. Atienza made a full recovery and has since finished several marathons, as well as Ironman 70.3 and full Ironman Triathlon races. He continues to compete and lead his age group to this day.[24][25]

Filmography

Television

  • Muscles in Motion (1987)
  • Sports Review (1991–1993)
  • Daimos (1993) as Kazuya Ryuzaki (Richard Hartford) (Voice Dubber)
  • Hikari Sentai Maskman (1989–1990) (1993–1998) (replayed in IBC-13) as Takeru (renamed as Michael Joe) (Voice Dubber)
  • Ultraman Ace (1993) as Captain Mura (Voice Dubber)
  • Magma Man (1993) as Misakey (Voice Dubber).
  • Voltes V (1999) (GMA) as Kenichi Go (Steve Armstrong) (Voice Dubber)
  • Magandang Umaga Pilipinas (2004–2007) – host
  • Umagang Kay Ganda (2007–2009) – host
  • Kapamilya, Deal or No Deal (2007) – Celebrity player (won the one-million-peso briefcase)
  • TV Patrol (2006–2021) – weatherman/Weather-Weather Lang, Alamin kay Kuya Kim and Kaunting Kaalaman segment anchor
  • Entertainment Live (2008–2012) – Co-Host
  • Matanglawin (2008–2020) – Host
  • It's Showtime (formerly called as Showtime) (2009–2016; 2019–2020) – Co-host
  • Magpasikat (2010) – Co-host
  • Barangay DOS! (2011) – Host
  • 24 Oras (2021–present) – #KuyaKimAnoNa segment anchor
  • 24 Oras Weekend (2023–present) – #KuyaKimAnoNa segment anchor
  • Dapat Alam Mo! (2021–2024) – Main host
  • Mars Pa More (2021–2022) – Main host
  • TiktoClock (2022–present) – Lead host
  • Zero Kilometers Away (2023)
  • Dami Mong Alam, Kuya Kim! (2024–present) – Host

Film

Radio

  • Sakto (DZMM) (2018–2020)

Awards

  • 29th Star Awards for Television Best Education Program Host – for Matanglawin [26]
  • 28th Star Awards for Television Best Education Program Host – for Matanglawin [27]
  • 26th Star Awards for Television Best Education or Children's Program Host – for Matanglawin [28]
  • 25th Star Awards for Television Best Educational Program Host – for Matanglawin [29]
  • 24th Star Awards for Television Best Educational Program Host – for Matanglawin
  • 22nd Star Awards for Television Best Educational Program Host – for Matanglawin
  • 32nd Star Awards for Television Best Educational Program Host – for Matanglawin [30]
  • 26th Star Awards for Television Best Game or Reality Show Host – for It's Showtime
  • 2015 KBP Golden Dove Awards for Best Children's Show – for Matanglawin
  • 2008 KBP Golden Dove Awards for Best Children's Show – for Matanglawin
  • 2007 KBP Golden Dove Awards for Best Children's Show – for Matanglawin
  • 2015 Golden Screen Awards for Outstanding Natural History Wildlife Program Host and Show – for Matanglawin
  • 2012 Golden Screen Awards for Outstanding Natural History Wildlife Program Host and Show – for Matanglawin
  • 2011 Golden Screen Awards for Outstanding Natural History Wildlife Program Host and Show – for Matanglawin

References

  1. ^ a b Kim Atienza's Birth Certificate
  2. ^ a b "THEN AND NOW: 10 celebrities born in Year of the Sheep". ABS-CBN Corporation. February 19, 2015. Archived from the original on February 24, 2015. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  3. ^ a b c Lo, Ricky (February 15, 2002). "Councilor Kim takes a bride". Philippine Star. Retrieved March 30, 2016.
  4. ^ a b "Kim Atienza won't go into politics anymore". ABS-CBN News. May 25, 2011. Archived from the original on April 12, 2016. Retrieved March 30, 2016.
  5. ^ Santos, Tomas (September 25, 2010). "Year with the Tigers". Varsitarian. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  6. ^ Mariano, Diane (October 4, 2021). "Meet the #KuyaNgBayan, Kim Atienza!". Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  7. ^ Viernes, Franchesca (October 5, 2021). "Kuya Kim reveals he hated school, took 7 years to finish college: 'I'm not advising that for young people'". Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  8. ^ "Manila Is Mad at Claire Danes". CBS News. October 1, 1998. Retrieved March 30, 2016.
  9. ^ Felipe, Cecille Suerte (May 18, 2004). "Atienza triumphs in Manila". The Philippine Star. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
  10. ^ a b c Rowena, Tan (May 22, 2015). "The many hats Kuya Kim wears". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on April 23, 2016. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
  11. ^ "Kim Atienza's episode". Moments. Season 28 (in Tagalog). September 5, 2015. Net 25.
  12. ^ Pangan, Jett (May 19, 2020). "Kim Atienza". Jett's Talk Show... Sort of (Podcast). Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  13. ^ "Did you know? Kim Atienza is the Tagalog voice behind Steve Armstrong in 1999 'Voltes V' film". GMA Integrated News. March 30, 2023. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  14. ^ a b c Gorospe, Marjorie (March 22, 2011). "Kuya Kim hopes to instil value of learning among Pinoys". omg! Philippines News Blog. Yahoo! Southeast Asia. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
  15. ^ "Kim Atienza to join 24 Oras of GMA-7". Philippine Entertainment Portal (in Filipino). September 29, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  16. ^ "Paparating na si Kuya, mga Kapuso". GMA News and Public Affairs (in Filipino). September 29, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021 – via Facebook.
  17. ^ "Kuya Kim to host 3 shows on GMA". Manila Bulletin. September 30, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  18. ^ "Kim Atienza joins GMA Network's growing roster of talents". GMA News. October 4, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  19. ^ Roque, Nika (July 14, 2022). "We can't wait for 'TiktoClock,' GMA's upcoming out-of-the-box variety show". Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  20. ^ Mariano, Dianne (December 17, 2021). "Kuya Kim Atienza's daughter Eliana gets accepted into an Ivy League university". GMA Network. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  21. ^ Tagala, Don (June 1, 2024). "Eliana Atienza suspended at UPenn for attending pro-Palestine protest". ABS-CBN. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  22. ^ "Kuya Kim announces death of daughter Emman Atienza". GMA News Online. October 24, 2025. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  23. ^ Santiago Aladin, Judy (January 24, 2024). "What Kuya Kim Atienza Did When His Child Was Diagnosed With Bipolar Disorder Might Save Yours". Smart Parenting. Archived from the original on October 26, 2025.
  24. ^ Lo, Ricky (October 22, 2013). "Kim 'as good as new' after week-long hospitalization". The Philippine Star. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
  25. ^ Denny, Christine (October 25, 2013). "Kim Atienza remains unfazed by rare disease afflicting him". Philippine Entertainment Portal (in Filipino and English). Retrieved April 4, 2016.
  26. ^ "29th PMPC Star Awards for TV winners". Philstar.com. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  27. ^ "28th PMPC Star Awards for TV And the winners are..." Philstar.com. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  28. ^ "ABS-CBN sweeps 26th Star Awards for TV; Nora Aunor and Helen Gamboa tie for Best Drama Actress". PEP.ph. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  29. ^ "ABS-CBN biggest winner at 25th Star Awards for TV; GMA-7 bags 16 trophies; TV5 gets 6 nods". PEP.ph. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  30. ^ "ABS-CBN named best TV station at 32nd PMPC Star Awards for Television". ABS-CBN. October 15, 2018.
  • Kim Atienza at IMDb
  • Media related to Kim Atienza at Wikimedia Commons
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