‘The book’s strength is that it tells important stories from the ground, stories of people who are often ignored or forgotten.’
Filipino broadcast journalist Atom Araullo is known for his exceptional reporting skills and compelling storytelling. With a career spanning over two decades, he has garnered numerous international awards for his outstanding work.
Atom’s reporting style is characterized by his in-depth research, thorough investigation and engaging narrative. Not just a mere stand upper, he writes and creatively produces his documentaries that often shed light on critical issues affecting the Philippines and the world, sparking meaningful conversations and inspiring change.
Some of his notable works include documentaries on environmental issues, social justice and human rights. His reports have been featured on prominent international news platforms, showcasing his ability to tackle complex topics with sensitivity and insight.
As one of the most internationally-awarded broadcast journalists in the country, Atom excellently reports and exhaustively analyzes issues. His accolades are a testament to his dedication to quality journalism and his commitment to telling stories that matter.
This year, Atom brings this kind of excellence in his very first book called “A View From the Ground.”
The book is a creative nonfiction work composed of long-form reportage and narrative essays. While rooted in journalism, it draws from literary nonfiction techniques to tell deeply human stories about social issues in the Philippines and beyond.
The project falls under the genre of literary journalism or narrative nonfiction, within the broader field of media and cultural studies, with strong relevance to development studies, sociology and human rights.
“A View From the Ground” would be of interest to readers of narrative nonfiction, journalism and Philippine and Southeast Asian studies. It may also appeal to those engaged in human rights, development work and social advocacy.
The book’s strength is that it tells important stories from the ground, stories of people who are often ignored or forgotten. Each essay is based on first-hand reporting and is paired with black-and-white documentary photographs that give readers a deeper sense of place and emotion.
It is a collection of narrative journalism focused on people living in the margins of society. The stories are based on Atom’s years of field reporting all over the Philippines and in portions of Southeast Asia. It covers a range of themes, including displacement, public health, education, armed conflict and environmental degradation.
Each piece is written with attention to detail, context and the voices of those directly affected. The essays examine how broad issues affect people’s daily lives, as individuals and as part of a larger national story.
The book also features documentary photographs taken by Atom himself. The words and images work together to give readers a more visceral understanding of the realities that many people face. It also offers a nonfiction storytelling style that is not commonly found in today’s media landscape.
As a compilation of diverse stories, “A View From the Ground” attempts to present a snapshot of Philippine society for future generations. It also encourages present-day readers to engage more deeply with the realities that many Filipinos face.
Atom Araullo’s “A View From The Ground,” with a preface by Howie Severino, will be published by the University of the Philippines Press, National Book Development Board’s Publisher of the Year in the 42nd National Book Awards, and will be launched at the Manila International Book Fair in September. It can be pre-ordered at press@up.edu.ph and press.marketing@up.edu.ph.
