The Filipino activist community is mourning the untimely death of Emman Atienza, a 19-year-old social media influencer and advocate for mental health and Palestinian liberation. Atienza, who was found dead at her home in Los Angeles, USA, was a member of the League of Filipino Students (LFS) and a convenor of the group Filipino Youth 4 Palestine (F4YP). Her family has not disclosed the cause of her death but expressed their profound grief in a statement.
Atienza was known for her passionate advocacy and willingness to use her influence for social causes. LFS honored her in a Facebook post, sharing a black-and-white photo of her holding a placard during a protest at the US Embassy in Manila in October 2024. The post described her as a courageous individual who braved torrential rain and police harassment to stand with activists calling for an end to genocide and Palestinian liberation.
Born into a prominent political family, Atienza was the daughter of popular Filipino TV host Kim Atienza and granddaughter of former Manila mayor Lito Atienza. Her older sister, Eliana, is also a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause, having been suspended from the University of Pennsylvania in May 2024 for participating in a pro-Palestine protest.
The Atienza family remembered Emman as a beacon of joy, laughter, and love, whose authenticity and openness about her mental health struggles inspired many. They urged the public to honor her memory by embodying the qualities she lived by: compassion, courage, and kindness.
Atienza’s death has left a void in the activist community, but her legacy of advocacy and empathy continues to inspire those who knew her and followed her work.