Kuya Kim reveals Mang Tani was his mentor: ‘He taught me my weather and I look up to him’

Before becoming one of the Philippines’ well-known weathermen, Kuya Kim revealed that Nathaniel “Mang Tani” Cruz first trained and in fact taught him about it.

In an online interview with the press, the newest Kapuso said Mang Tani was actually his “mentor.”

“When he was spokesperson and head meteorologist in PAGASA and I was a beginner as ABS-CBN weather anchor, ang puntahan ko lagi sa PAGASA was Mang Tani,” he shared.

“Even if [there’s no typhoon], I used to visit Mang Tani and [he] used to teach [me],” he added. “He would give me one-on-one lessons. He was my mentor in PAGASA before I became a weatherman.”

According to Kuya Kim, he finds it “funny” that some are pitting them against each other since it’s like comparing them to “apples and oranges.”

“How can I replace my mentor? He taught me my weather and I look up to him,” he said.

“Ang kakayanan ni Mang Tani, hindi ko matutumbasan. Kailangan ko muna mag-aral sa unibersidad at makakuha ng doctorate sa meteorology para mapalapit kay Mang Tani. Gano’n kataas ang tingin ko sa mamang ‘yan,” he added.

(Mang Tani’s skills, I can’t match that. I need to study in a university and earn a doctorate degree in meteorology first to come near him. That’s how high I look up to that man.)

In a previous interview, Kuya Kim already clarified that he won’t be replacing the resident meterologist in “24 Oras.”

Kuya Kim marked his debut as a Kapuso in “24 Oras” Monday, where Mang Tani also took the time to welcome him with a message fresh from Australia. — LA, GMA News