Atom Araullo talks about extraordinary experiences filming 'Philippine Seas'

Celebrated Filipino journalist Atom Araullo recently joined GMA’s News and Public Affairs team and has then started making his documentary 'Philippine Seas.'

The TV reporter went on a 10-day expedition across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao to uncover the wonders and threats surrounding the Philippines’ marine gems.

The journalist who has 12 years of experience under his belt said he encountered many “firsts” while filming his documentary, “Marami talagang extraordinary experiences along the way.”

He has seen up close endangered species underwater, “Nakita namin ‘yung Dugong sa Palawan. Ang Dugong kasi is a critically endangered na specie, and I think there are only around 30 heads of Dugong found in the Coron area sa Busuanga island. Kung makalapit ka sa isang Dugong at makunan mo ng video ay isang pambihirang pagkakataon so we were very lucky.”

The documentary maker also got to experience these rare opportunities, “I was able to dive with the school of sardines sa Moalboal at isa sa hindi ko rin malilimutan [ay] ‘yung pagsama sa ating mga mangingisda sa Sarangani, General Santos.”

Benham Rise will also be shown in his documentary, “Ito ang bagong territory na kailangan natin pangalagaan. Kasama siya doon [pero] hindi ko siya napuntahan personally pero marami kasing nag-expedition na doon at nakausap namin ‘yung mga sayantista at saka mga eksperto.”

Catch his first documentary with GMA News and Public Affairs Philippine Seas on November 5 (Sunday) at 3:30 p.m.