Icon of Curiosity

by Bea Louise Gallinero

Kim Atienza, also known as Kuya Kim, is a renowned TV personality known for sharing trivia and facts. His new show, "Dami Mong Alam, Kuya Kim!" which explores viral videos and trending topics, explaining their popularity, aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Sustainable Development, as his show presents information in a sensible, accessible, and entertaining way, making it easier for viewers to learn.

Born on January 24, 1967, he is the eldest son of Lito Atienza, a former mayor of Manila (Asia, n.d.). After studying in a seminary, Kim Atienza enrolled in UST as a freshman college student in 1983 to study Education, driven by his passion for learning and sharing knowledge. During this period, he participated in various extracurricular activities such as theater, ballet, and declamation. He excelled in his studies, earned a spot on the dean's list, and served as the president of his batch. His passion for the performing arts ultimately led him to transfer to the University of the Philippines (UP), majoring in Film at UP Film Institute (Santos, 2010).

After graduating, he worked various jobs, including dubbing for Japanese shows, before entering politics, influenced by his father's career. He served as a councilor in Manila's fifth district from 1995 to 2004, receiving the highest votes in each election. However, he found politics less fulfilling and considered it hard work. Initially, he joined television in 2004 to gain media exposure to succeed his father as mayor, but ultimately chose to return to his passion for theater and the arts. He then embraced a career in broadcasting as a weatherman and animal expert on TV. (Santos, 2010).

Kuya Kim's weather forecasting started in Magandang Umaga Bayan, where he had a segment called "Animalandia." The king of Philippine weather reporting and trivia, the late Ernie Baron, was impressed by Kuya Kim's work and declared that he would someday take his place. "Our mission is to educate people with an advocacy and at the same time, entertain them to catch their attention. This is what I have learned in UST, education rooted with principles," Kim Aitenza said (Santos, 2010). Soon enough, wearing his iconic full-brim hat, he would go on to host and appear in other shows like Umagang Kay Ganda, Showtime, TV Patrol World, and the educational science weekly show Matanglawin. In October 2021, he started working with GMA Network as a segment anchor for 24 Oras and would renew his three-year contract with GMA Network on Monday, December 2, 2024 (Santos, 2010; Asia, n.d.; Jade, 2024).

Currently, he has a new show airing in GMA titled "Dami Mong Alam, Kuya Kim," which is a show that explores trending topics and viral videos, providing insights and fascinating stories behind them, supporting Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all in several impactful ways. The show reaches a broad audience using digital platforms, making educational content accessible to various demographics.

Kuya Kim's emphasis on trending topics and viral videos encourages viewers to think critically about the information presented. He explores trending topics and viral videos, providing insights and fascinating stories behind them. This promotes a well-rounded understanding and encourages viewers to seek further knowledge.

The show's blend of humor and trivia makes learning entertaining and appealing to young audiences and families. Presenting information in an enjoyable format captures attention and encourages a love for learning. The approach to making education fun can inspire viewers to pursue knowledge outside the show, creating a culture of curiosity and exploration. Kim Atienza believes social media can be a neutral tool, emphasizing the importance of understanding its trends and algorithms to inspire and inform his audience (The Freeman, 2024).

In summary, Kim Atienza is an important TV personality who promotes knowledge and curiosity. His show, "Dami Mong Alam, Kuya Kim," captures the interest of an audience, making learning not only accessible but also enjoyable. He talks about trending topics and viral videos, encouraging people to think critically and understand more deeply, which helps fulfill a key role in education.

Kuya Kim's work shows that curiosity is essential for learning. It connects with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which aims for quality education that is inclusive and equitable while promoting lifelong learning for everyone. By fostering curiosity, he encourages people to be lifelong learners. This creates an environment of exploration necessary for personal and societal growth.

Ultimately, media personalities like Kuya Kim have the potential and ability to support quality education. They can reach and influence many people, making educational content interesting and relatable. Through their platforms, they can change how people view learning and inspire them to pursue different forms of education. This, in turn, supports personal growth and helps build a more informed and educated society.