LESSONS EMMAN LEFT BEHIND

AT THE WAKE OF EMMAN ATIENZA, Gretchen Fullido and Kuya Kim's brother, Ali Atienza, were the ones taking charge. Emman was like a baby sister to Gretchen. The gorgeous news anchor hopes that Emman visits her in her dreams soon.

- DOLLY ANNE CARVAJAL

Kuya Kim Atienza and wife Felicia Hung-Atienza, together with their children Jose III and Eliana, at the wake for their youngest child Emman. In Emman's presence, her millions of TikTok followers learned much. In her absence, we are learning even more about kindness and compassion. -PHOTOS FROM KIM ATIENZA'S FACEBOOK PAGE/RYAN BALDEMOR

(KIM ATIENZA'S FACEBOOK PAGE RYAN BALDEMOR)

There was a queue outside the Heritage chapel, so while waiting for our turn to condole with Kuya Kim and his family, my son IC and I had dinner at the lounge with Kylie Verzosa and Cheryl Cosim. To lighten the mood, IC told Kylie, “We used to see each other at clubs. Now, we often meet up at wakes.” Then Kylie shot back, “We must be getting old, but thank God nobody comes up to me pa naman and says, ‘You are my mom’s or Lola’s favorite.’ So, I’m not that old yet.”

Then Cheryl and I talked about the high cost of living and the higher cost of dying. In jest, I told her that to save money, when my time comes, I want my ashes to be placed inside bottles of Chardonnay in all the bars I frequent.

I bumped into my dear friend Karylle, who was on her way out of the chapel. “My eyes are swollen from crying,” she said, “because of my long talk with Kuya Kim.”

After saying a little prayer for Emman inside the chapel, I remembered my interview with Kuya Kim on my DollywoodPh YT channel a few months ago.