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    Behind the Scenes of our June Cover Shoot with Kuya Kim Atienza and Family

    The Atienza family and their home make for a very interesting Father's Month feature.

  • June 2012 cover

    We couldn’t have picked a better celebrity to grace Smart Parenting’s Father’s Month issue. Known to avid TV fans as Kuya Kim and to his former constituents in Manila as Alejandro Atienza, Kuya Kim personifies the true essence of a loving husband and father.

    When we learned that Kuya Kim’s cover shoot was to be done at his home, we were thrilled, having heard so many interesting things about the other tenants, a.k.a. their numerous pets. They weren’t kidding when they said that this family is animal-friendly. As we witnessed ourselves, dogs and birds and even species one wouldn’t normally consider for pets filled the house, even outnumbering the human inhabitants (36 dogs!). The numerous paintings, sculptures and other artworks only added to our curiosity. On the night of the shoot, we had to wait a few minutes for Kuya Kim to finish his TV Patrol segment, but it didn’t seem long at all because we were entertained by his lovely wife Fely and kids Jose, Meimei and Emman.

    Browse through the gallery to see exclusive photos we caught behind the scenes from the shoot. Check out also his interesting answers to our questions below:

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    Kuya Kim questionnaire

    Watch out, too, for the behind-the-scenes video, coming out very soon!

    Photos by Lei Dimarucut-Sison

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    Viewing as List

    Launch Gallery
      Photo 1 of 49
      This view welcomes us to the Atienza home in Malate, Manila.
      Photo 2 of 49
      This cozy al fresco set up is located at the front lawn.
      Photo 3 of 49
      Interesting titles are stacked everywhere around the house, as well as quirky artifacts such as this vintage microphone
      Photo 4 of 49
      The woman of the house, Fely, gets made up by Archie Tolentino of Maybelline New York.
      Photo 5 of 49
      These interesting lamps hanging by the Atienzas’ solid molave dining table are called “Clouds” by Frank Gehry, and are made of recycled paper.
      Photo 6 of 49
      Here’s a portion of a surreal Esquillo triptych painting called "Inspirasyon, Pagka-upos at Pagsusuka."
      Photo 7 of 49
      Senior writer Rachel Perez plays with the Atienzas’ friendly Welsh Corgi, Daisy.
      Photo 8 of 49
      Daisy munching on – err, playing - with her toy. 
      Photo 9 of 49
      Middle child Eleana, or Meimei, as they call her, gives us a smile while Daisy tries to get her attention.
      Photo 10 of 49
      Daisy loves being played with! Here, Meimei strokes her neck as she lies on the floor.
      Photo 11 of 49
      A bust of Fely by Filipino sculptor Julie Lluch.
      Photo 12 of 49
      Kuya Kim’s pet frog sits inconspicuously on driftwood inside an aquarium.
      Photo 13 of 49
      This frog is called the Goliath, named so for being the biggest frog in the world.
      Photo 14 of 49
      It’s the girls’ turn to get dolled up! The youngest among the siblings, Emman, and Meimei getting their hair done by Bea Misa.
      Photo 15 of 49
      A sculpture depicting Jesus sitting atop a cross and a boy handing him a glass of water.
      Photo 16 of 49
      A painting by artist Santiago Bose
      Photo 17 of 49
      Fely looks ravising in this ensemble put together by our fashion stylist for that day, Leona Panutat
      Photo 18 of 49
      Fely looks at Kim admiringly.
      Photo 20 of 49
      He was still wearing his weatherman uniform during the interview.
      Photo 21 of 49
      Kuya Kim dons his signature hat for the shoot. We could tell the girls are ready with their smiles even before we begin!
      Photo 22 of 49
      Fely and Kuya Kim wait as photographer Sara Black adjusts the lights.
      Photo 23 of 49
      And the shoot officially begins!
      Photo 24 of 49
      A view from behind the camera…
      Photo 25 of 49
      … and with the big monitors and lights visible.
      Photo 26 of 49
      The kids were shy at first but quickly warmed up when it was time to “approve” the photos.
      Photo 27 of 49
      Smart Parenting EIC Mia Cruz looks on as the kids view their pics.
      Photo 28 of 49
      Fely and Kim smile approvingly of the shots.
      Photo 29 of 49
      While they change clothes, we take a look around the house some more. Here’s a wooden crocodile see-saw by Wire Tuazon and Jerry Araos.
      Photo 30 of 49
      Their 36 dogs’ vaccination schedule is posted on the refrigerator.
      Photo 31 of 49
      A known health buff, Kuya Kim owns these mountain bikes.
      Photo 32 of 49
      The macaws, Rainbow and Polar.
      Photo 33 of 49
      For the second layout, their pet Daisy decides to join in.
      Photo 34 of 49
      Daisy was very well-behaved and knew exactly when to look at the camera.
      Photo 35 of 49
      In this shot, Jose and Meimei seem to be discussing who would sit beside Daisy.
      Photo 36 of 49
      During a break, Fely pets Daisy lovingly.
      Photo 37 of 49
      And we roam around some more. Here is the girls’ pink room.
      Photo 38 of 49
      It was filled with all things girly – plushies, toys, dolls and accessories.
      Photo 39 of 49
      A big stuffed bear occupies each of the two single beds. Incidentally, the girls’ room was used as a dressing area for this shoot, thus the clutter.
      Photo 40 of 49
      The flower-themed dresser.
      Photo 41 of 49
      The girls’ stuffed toy collection fills two large cabinets.
      Photo 42 of 49
      On their wall are the lyrics of Do-Re-Mi from the popular musical “The Sound of Music”.
      Photo 43 of 49
      On to the third layout, with everyone wearing different shades and hues of pink in their clothes or as accents.
      Photo 44 of 49
      Emman hugs mom Fely tightly, while Meimei chooses to sit on her dad’s lap. Jose is sitting on a Frank Gehry cardboard Wiggle Chair.
      Photo 45 of 49
      The 3 kids have an eye for photography, having been exposed to different kinds of art all their lives.
      Photo 46 of 49
      This painting by Francesca Enriquez hangs from the ceiling.
      Photo 47 of 49
      Fely and Kuya Kim get ready for the last layout. You could tell they are very much in love!
      Photo 48 of 49
      We all couldn’t help but admire how slim and toned Fely’s legs are.
      Photo 49 of 49
      A final retouch, and it’s a wrap! …
      Photo 50 of 49
      … but not before Kuya Kim finishes answering our questionnaire.
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