Kim Atienza admits facing pressure replacing Ernie Baron, strives for perfection

Kapuso TV host Kim Atienza has revealed the immense pressure he experienced when he took over from the late Ernie Baron, the esteemed “walking encyclopedia,” on a popular program.

Known for his extensive knowledge and accuracy, Baron’s legacy set high standards for his successor.

Kim, who was already known as a morning show host, felt the weight of expectations when he was chosen to replace Baron, a respected trivia master and weather presenter. In an interview with talent manager and content creator Ogie Diaz, Kim shared his thoughts on the transition.

“Nu’ng ang pinalitan ko si Ka Ernie Baron, hindi puwedeng magkamali kasi walking encyclopedia, ang daming tama. So ang expectation sa akin ng tao, ‘Hindi rin nagkakamali ‘yan,” Kim explained.

Despite these expectations, Kim acknowledged that he is only human and mistakes are inevitable. He emphasized the importance of continuous improvement and listening to feedback from his audience and industry mentors.

“Siyempre tumatawag ako sa mga taong mas matagal na sa akin sa industriya. May mga mentor ako na tumutulong sa akin at nagko-correct sa akin kung ano’ng dapat kong gawin,” Kim added.

“May mga tao talaga na ang hobby talaga, maghintay na magkamali ako. ‘Kailan kaya magkakamali si Kim?’ Lalo na sa X, lalo na sa Twitter, pag nagkagkamali ka sa X, naku! Tatlong araw kang trending,” he noted.

Kim recalled that when he first started hosting, social media wasn’t as prevalent, so he didn’t face immediate backlash. Nowadays, criticism is instant and widespread across various platforms.

“You get called out two minutes after you say it. Two minutes after you say it, meron na kaagad sa Twitter, lalo na sa X. ‘Pag sinabi mo, ‘pag tingin mo du’n, trending ka na, hindi mo alam kung bakit,” Kim shared.

Despite the criticism, Kim accepts the backlash gracefully and is willing to apologize when necessary. However, he firmly stands by the facts he presents, especially when they are based on credible sources.

“’Yung pagso-sorry naman, hindi naman kahulugan na mali ka e, puwede kang mag-sorry na nakasakit ka, whether you like it or not. Du’n ako nag-sorry. Pero du’n sa sinabi kong mga facts, those are facts, those are based on science,” he clarified.

Currently, Kim is seen on GMA Network’s variety show ‘TiktoClock’ alongside Pokwang and Jason Gainza, as well as on GTV’s ‘Dapat Alam Mo.’ He admitted that he occasionally makes mistakes, which often draws criticism from bashers.