Closet movie star? Atom Araullo responds to allegations

MANILA, Philippines — “Citizen Jake” star Atom Araullo did not directly react to film director Mike de Leon’s social media post that aired disappointment over the GMA 7 journalist.

De Leon recently shared on Facebook what he thinks about Atom. He said Atom “disappointed” him as a person, but praised him as an actor.

“I only realized later that Atom’s journalism was not exactly the kind of journalism I had in mind… It’s not the gritty kind but more of the celebrity-centered schlock that sometimes verges on entertainment, even showbiz. Looking back, I can see why he wanted to become a movie actor. Perhaps the journalist was really a closet movie star,” he said in a now deleted post.

The director, however, praised Atom’s acting chops.

“There were scenes where he acted unevenly but there were also scenes, many of them major, where he was terrific,” the director wrote.

“Even if ‘Citizen Jake’ is my most personal film, sometimes I feel it’s a film Atom and myself made together, through thick and thin, through upheaval after upheaval and unfortunately there were many. But I hoped that in the end, we would still share the same convictions we started off with. Alas, that was not to be,” he said.

“I think atom and I are both relieved to close the book on this collaboration and finally get out of each other’s lives. What is important in the unique world of cinema is that Citizen Jake has now acquired a life of its own, separate from us,” the director added.

In a recent interview with Philstar.com during a set visit of his new commercial for Cherifer Premium for Adults, Atom set the record straight on whether he is a journalist or a "closet movie star," as De Leon called him.

Atom said he will not get new acting jobs for now and will be focusing on his true job, as a journalist.

“Palagay ko wala muna. Napakaswerte ko nabigyan ako ng ganitong pagkakataon sa isang pelikulang pwede ko talaga ipakita ‘yung aking background bilang isang mamamahayag, pero gusto ko rin masiguro na hindi ko pinapabayaan ‘yung aking trabaho na pagiging mamamahayag,” he said.

When asked to choose between showbiz and journalism, the veteran broadcaster preferred journalism. But he is also not closing his doors from showbiz – not as an actor, but someone behind the camera.

“Journalism pa rin. Kung gagawa man ako ng proyekto sa larangan ng showbiz siguro hindi na ‘yung sa harap ng camera dahil madami akong idea ngayon na gusto ko ring makatrabaho ‘yung ilan sa mga nakilala ko sa ‘Citizen Jake,’ pero sa kabilang banda ang dami ko pang gustong gawin bilang mamamahayag eh,” Atom said.

“Ang dami ko pang gustong gawing storya, gusto ko pang gumaling at maging mahusay kaya kung tututukan ko lang ‘yon sa palagay ko magandang paraan na ‘yon sa paggamit ko ng oras ko,” he added.

Araullo revealed that he has been struggling in the aspect of nutrition, though he still tries to be physically fit in his everyday life.

“It’s very difficult to eat right and on time. The good thing about access to information nowadays is it’s easy to find sources to help you out with your diet,” Atom said.

“I try to be physically fit. It’s a challenge, I know. We all have our work, 9 (a.m.) to 5 (p.m.), mas mahaba minsan, so I think it’s just important to make sure to give at least 15 minutes a day to do some kind of physical activity. Maybe a walk around the village or if you have a gym membership, go to there for 30 minutes,” the GMA 7 broadcaster said.

Atom said it is very important to focus on the things to achieve each day.

“Another aspect of preparing for the day, it’s very important to focus. So what I do is the night before I try to do a list of what I need to accomplish for the following day so it gives me a head start. In the morning, I try as much as I can to put the cellphone away and try to focus what could be done.” 

To help his body through every preparation stage, Atom takes health supplement Cherifer Premium for Adults, which offers taurine for focus, ginseng for energy, and Chlorella Growth Factor (CGF) that helps provide nucleic acids to promote recovery through the repair of muscle tissue. Together, these ingredients help in keeping him productive through every challenging day.

Besides good nutrition, physical activity and preparation for the upcoming days, Atom said regrouping himself for the next challenges in the coming days needed a much needed rest. 

“We have to know our bodies and to know how much rest we need. It varies from person to person. I usually need eight hours of sleep. Just do the best that you can to hit the target. Take naps as well. Just respect your body. Minsan nagkakasakit ka na pero sige pa rin ng sige sa trabaho.”