‘Growing up, it has been aspirational being in front of the cameras, hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala; and it is still aspirational for me until now — Kuya Kim Atienza’
Kuya Kim Atienza marks a milestone in his two decades of being on television by renewing his contract with GMA7. The signing and media launch of his new program will happen next week.
How was Kuya Kim’s first three years as a Kapuso?
“I was able to do so many things. GMA was able to maximize my God-given talents,” he told us.
“For the first time I was able to do news in ‘Dapat Alam Mo’ (DAM) where I was able to deliver both hard and soft new and had the privilege of covering the 2022 Seoul Korea Halloween Parade Crowd Crush (which became the national winner in the Best Single News Story category in the Asian Academy Creative Awards). DAM was a new experience for me where I get to bring news – not for a 5-minute segment – but for an hour live daily. The three years of DAM with Susan Enriquez, Emil Sumangil and Patricia Tumulak was a great learning experience for me.”
Kuya Kim continued: “I was also in a show like ‘Mars Pa More’ with Camille Pratts and Iya Villania , and our bosses in Entertainment are very much on top of ‘Tiktoclock’ which is doing well. For me, parang it’s not work. We’re having so much fun.”
It’s a very challenging time for television – to make things hit – both online and on TV, and to make things last and become iconic is – major challenge. Kuya Kim is very well aware of this.
“With three years of being a Kapuso, there’s nothing in my heart but gratitude. I just want to work , so that my talents may be utilized and maximized. And I am so thankful to GMA and to God for making me do all these wonderful and meaningful things.”
In his new three-year exclusive contract, Kuya Kim will be a mainstay in “24 Oras.” He looks forward to making the segment “Kuya Kim Ano Na?” more creative and more impactful and understandable to more people.
“I’m really so honored to be part of such an iconic and most watched program. I want to do more experiential segments kahit mag field work pa ako. I really want to keep my ear on the ground, and touch base with the audiences. And still the same, masarap pa rin dapat panoorin,” he said. “Then of course, there’s the bigger and more fun ‘Tiktoclock’ talaga kasi masaya lang talaga kami du’n…”
Kuya Kim will headline his new public affairs show called “Dami Mong Alam Kuya Kim,” which will have its pilot episode on Saturday morning, November 30 on GMA.
He related: “I look forward to ‘Dami Mong Alam Kuya Kim’ dahil aside from bago ito, ang challenge sa show na ito ay paano maging patok sa free television at kapag ni load online ay maging patok din. Ang challenge is to become a hit in both platforms.”
Asked as to how he manages his rigorous schedule, he said, “I work out for about 4 to 5 times a week. I’m 58 years old so it’s important that I’m healthy so I can work be my best self. So I can serve the people and my family more. I just want to keep on working on television and on the digital platforms as long as I can.”
Turning his attention to the ever-changing media industry, he remarked: “Looking at the media landscape now, I am grateful because I can say that I am part of the last of Mohicans on free TV. It’s very hard to introduce yourself as someone new on free TV now when the attention span of the audience is too short and fleeting. More and more people are migrating to the digital space, and to be able to have work and be trusted by your network bosses and the audiences is something to be grateful for.
Despite the challenges in the industry, he remains grounded and optimistic. “I am on free TV now, still relevant and doing meaningful things, thank you Lord. I take it a day at a time. Because I am still on TV today, I make the most out of it. If in the future I’m not anymore, I’ll take it when it comes. Growing up, it has been aspirational being in front of the cameras, hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala; and it is still aspirational for me until now, that’s why hindi ako nagpapaka-kampante, I want to be better.”
