Flonique Guimary

Atom Araullo shares his thoughts on the corruption happening in the country

Article (news)

Peter Andrew Acierto

Push Team

<p>Kapuso broadcaster Atom Araullo expressed his frustration on corrupt officials who have been plaguing the government. In a recent vlog of veteran broadcaster Luchi Cruz-Valdes, the award-winning documentarist shared how it’s okay to speak up despite his job as a journalist. </p><div> </div><div><iframe width="706" height="397" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6DtwdoXaijg" title="URL: Make that hope your superpower, you can change the world!" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>Atom is one of the few journalists who have spoken up about the corruption that’s been going on in the country.</p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/2014/4/19/fresh-scoops/atom-araullo-on-his-ideal-girl-age-doesnt-matter-17271" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: Atom Araullo on his ideal girl: ‘Age doesn&#x27;t matter’</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>&quot;I know that sometimes we have to restraining ourselves as journalists in saying what we feel but, on the other hand, I think it reflects how many people feel about corruption in government,” he shared.</p><div><br/></div><p>He maintained that it’s alright for journalists to express their anger as well, just like what the citizens are doing. </p><div><br/></div><p>“Pana-panahon, maganda rin ipakita ‘yun sa mga tao — na valid ‘yung mga nararamdaman ninyo kasi kahit kaming nagbabantay sa gobyerno, alam namin ‘yan. Nakakainis din talaga,” he added.</p><div><br/></div><p>When asked about his previous post about politicians and public servants who have “performative outrage”, he maintained that he has seen this narrative in the past already with the previous corruption scandals the government has had. </p><div><br/></div><p>“I’m young enough to be still outraged but I’m a little older to know that this has happened before and I watched this movie before. Ang dami ng corruption scandals in the past, pero each and every time na nagkakaroon ng ganitong klaseng outrage, it rises and fades. I’ve seen that before,” he admitted.</p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/2017/9/15/fresh-scoops/atom-araullo-says-goodbye-to-abs-cbn-73299" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: Atom Araullo says goodbye to ABS-CBN</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>While Atom may be angry with what’s happening in the country, he chooses to focus on what could be learned from the situation at hand. </p><div><br/></div><p>“Nakakagalit na paulit-ulit lang but at the same time, meron din lesson doon for me. Hindi natin pwedeng gawin ‘yung ginagawa lang din natin dati–– magkakaroon ng konting galit, maniningil, siguro may mananagot pero ‘yung mga small time lang,” he said. </p><div><br/></div><p>Having been part of the industry for twenty years, the seasoned journalist expressed that everyone has to adapt as well with the changing times, especially given the way netizens consume news. </p><div><br/></div><p>“Kailangan alam natin paanong sumabay pero hindi lamang sumabay na parang nagpaagos, kundi maging leaders din. Maging parang voice of reason–– oo, nagbabago ‘yung mundo natin, pero kailangan pa rin natin panghawakan ‘yung mga values natin,” he asserted.</p>

<p>Atom Araullo shares his thoughts on what's happening to the country in a recent interview with Luchi Cruz-Valdes.</p>

Atom Araullo shares his thoughts on what's happening to the country in a recent interview with Luchi Cruz-Valdes.