Kim Atienza is proud to see his children find their own paths and fulfill their own dreams.
Just recently, Kuya Kim and his wife Felicia flew to the U.S. for a vacation with all three of their kids: Jose, Eliana, and Emmanuelle.
"Kagagaling lang namin sa America because... to be with the kids," the Kapuso host said in his interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) and other members of the press last Saturday, August 13, 2022.
"And it's my fourth day [back] already and I'm a little big jet-lagged."
PEP.ph caught up with Kuya Kim during his launch as the ambassador of Watsons Philippines #SwitchAndSave campaign.
He expressed how much he enjoyed his short break in the U.S. with his family.
"Dun sa Santa Monica, ang ganda pala dun. It's my first time to see Santa Monica.
"They have a boardwalk that you can run through three beaches: Rendono, Santa Monica, and the Venice Beach. And I was running every day."
PROUD DAD
Two of Kuya Kim's kids are currently based in the U.S. to finish their college degrees.
His eldest child Jose is studying at Tufts University in Boston, while Eliana is taking a business course at Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
The youngest, Emmanuelle, still lives at home with Kuya Kim and Felicia.
Kuya Kim said of his three kids, "One goes to Tufts University in Boston and then one, we had to bring to her school. She's now in U-Penn.
"And then another kid who's still staying with us. So we still have one kid. But the two kids are in the States now."
While it was hard for him to send off his kids, Kuya Kim feels fulfilled to see them succeed in their chosen paths.
They are also living out one of his greatest dreams.
He said, "I get so fulfilled. As a young boy, I've always wanted to study in the States, but I couldn't afford it kasi hindi naman ganun kayaman ang parents ko.
"But now we can afford it and the kids are in beautiful schools in the States.
"Their success is my success. I feel good. Kumbaga parang ako na yung grumaduate sa Wharton kahit na hindi ako naka-aral sa Wharton."
Still, the Kapuso dad does admit to feeling separation anxiety now that two of his children are living independently abroad.
"Ngayon lang nung naghiwalay kami, dahil our vacation in Santa Monica, we're all together, e.
"Nung pauwi na kami, one was going to Boston, my other daughter was going to Philadelphia. I was going home na. Sepanx. Sepanx is forever."
But as they bid farewell to each other, Kuya Kim left his kids with some reminders.
"That life will be troublesome at a certain point, and Mama and Papa will not be there.
"When they have trouble kasi in the Philippines, Mama and Papa are there all the time.
"But now that they're in the States, [if there is trouble] go where Papa goes, go to God and pray."
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