Atom Araullo back in GMA: ‘I'm up for new challenges’

Atom Araullo is back with GMA Network.

The development was announced on Thursday on "24 Oras," where he once hosted the sports segment,"Atomic Sports."  

"It's the start of a new partnership, a new journey. Obviously, I am very excited. I've been a journalist for a decade, give or take, and I've always felt like there's undeniable need to grow and this is where my journey took me," Atom said.

"I keep telling my friends na ang dami kasing puwede pang matutunan. Marami rin akong hinahangaan dito sa GMA, kaya n'ang nagkaroon ng oportunidad na [makatrabaho sila] at nakita ko na ito talaga 'yong direksyon na tinatahak ng aking career, talagang pinag-isipan ko nang mabuti at nandito na ako ngayon.

"Ang bottomline is that I'm up for new challenges also," declared Atom.

GMA Network Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon welcomed Atom on his homecoming.

“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 Atom para lalo s’yang mahasa sa pagiging magaling na broadcast journalist at documentarist among others,” Gozon said.

Now that he has returned, Atom will be taking a literal dive — right into the Philippine seas. His first project with the Kapuso Network will be special report on the country's biodiversity and from there, he'll be joining the acclaimed "i-Witness" team.

Atom notes that one of GMA News' greatest strengths is its documentary team, from whom he's hoping to sharpen his skills.

Large media outfits across the globe are taking a beating as misinformation spreads faster than facts. Which is why  for Atom, journalists must go beyond the facts.

"I think what the challenge is for us in the media is not to stop at the facts, because sometimes facts don't really work. It just slides off. It's important to tell stories and 'yon din naman ang strength ng media, because when you have good stories, it engages people at a very visceral level and suddenly they're more open to a discussion," he declared.

There's a wealth of stories out there and Atom is ready to tell them with the GMA News team. — LA/JST, GMA News