It’s a biblical they say, when a prodigal son returns home. Well, I am not saying Atom Araullo was GMA Network’s prodigal son when he left and became a Kapamilya. When he resigned from the news organization of ABS-CBN (though remained an anchor in its morning news/talk show Umagang Kay Ganda), there had been speculations that the popular news reporter was up to something, perhaps take a different route and become an actor, more so when maverick and self-effacing director Mike de Leon cast him in Citizen Jake after hibernating for some time.
Other quarters whispered loudly that he could be planning to go back where he used to be…on the Kapuso network where he used to anchor a segment in the evening newscast 24 Oras called “ATOMic Sports” until he hopped over to the neighboring Kapamilya lot.
But, Araullo felt underutilized (perhaps) he was compelled to seek a workplace where he could expand his personal and professional portfolio.
And, GMA Network is it.
Araullo said. “I’m very excited. Ang dami kong gustong gawin, particularly in the realm of documentary production. I think this is a great place to do all of that.”
GMA Network Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon welcomed Atom with open arms like a father whose son left him for so many years to find his place under the sun. “Dahil kilala ang GMA-7 sa paggawa ng world class at award-winning documentary and public affairs programs, kami ay nalulugod sa paglipat ni Atom Araullo para lalo s’yang mahasa sa pagiging magaling na broadcast journalist at documentarist (sic) among others,” Atty. Gozon said.
A graduate of Applied Physics at the University of the Philippines-Diliman, Atom was exposed to broadcasting at an early age. In the past decade, he has earned the trust of the viewing public and the respect of his colleagues through the news stories and documentaries he has helped produce.
His documentary on climate change aired on the network where his name had been attached for sometime won a Bronze World Medal at the 2017 New York Festivals “World’s Best TV and Films”. GMA won three Gold World Medals and three finalist certificates also in the same competition.
Atom is currently an Advocate for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in the Philippines, a humanitarian organization mandated to lead the protection of refugees and internally displaced persons.
With his return to GMA, Atom is looking forward to doing more documentaries with the Network’s Public Affairs group. “Ano man ang mga gagawin ko rito will be the next stage of my career. Gusto kong mas marami pang mai-share sa mga tao tungkol sa aking mga paniniwala, at yung passion ko to do documentaries,” he says.
“Excited po ako na makasama kayo sa mga susunod na mga taon. Asahan po ninyong hindi ko sasayangin ang inyong tiwala. At gagawin ko ang aking makakaya para mabigyan kayo ng mga documentaries at istorya na magiging makabuluhan, napapanahon, at tagos sa puso. I hope you join me on this new adventure,” concludes Atom.
ABS-CBN wished Atom well when he left the network. Some die-hard Kapamilya followers regret his departure from the network and didn’t think he should re-join the Kapuso network. But, who are we to tell him not to join an organization where he feels he’d be happy in?
