Atom Araullo reveals he originally wanted to become a scientist

Growing up, Atom Araullo did not dream of being a journalist. In fact, he wanted to become a scientist.

In an episode of “The Howie Severino Podcast,” Atom revealed that although he studied applied physics in college, he eventually became a journalist.

Atom said he had always been fascinated with science as a child, even in Grade 3 when he became one of the young reporters on the renowned kids’ television show “5 and Up.”

“Maybe it had something to do with all of the books that were at home. Not just children’s books, adventure books, but also encyclopedias and some magazines [that] we were freely able to read when I was a kid, me and my sister,” he said.

“So that kind of, the seed of a scientific mind, I would say was planted from a very young age.”

After studying at Philippine Science High School and being inspired by a documentary about theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking and the cosmos, Atom went on to take applied physics at University of the Philippines.

“I wasn’t really thinking about what kind of job I would get after college. I just want to be part of that whole learning system [because] I found it amazing that you can break down the secrets of the universe down to the smallest atoms,” he said. 

In college, however, he became part of student council and other organizations, and started being active and involved in national issues.

“Doon naman na-awaken ’yung aking student activism, ’yung kahalagahan ng pagpa-participate sa mga local issue, student issues, which also lead us to analyze and also get involved with national issues,” Atom said.

[That’s when student activism, the important of participating in local issues, student issues, awakened in me, which also led us to analyze and also get involved with national issues.]

He also said he had interacted with reporters who went to UP to interview students during rallies. “So it came full circle,” said Atom, adding that he already knew the work of journalists from when he was younger and recognized its importance in shaping public opinion.

After graduating from UP, Atom said he had no intentions of going into media until an opening for a researcher position piqued his interest.

He said he felt like suddenly there was a “confluence” of his interests: “science, documentary, and my growing interest in journalism.”

Atom gave it a shot and began working as a researcher.

“And then, you know the rest is history. I became a reporter and then I found myself doing documentaries full time,” he said.

Atom said he appreciated his science training because it taught him several skills that could be applied in journalism. “I (gained) even a bigger appreciation of that kind of training,” he said.

“Kasi sa science, mahalaga na maniwala ka roon sa process, e, na mayroong proseso para matagpuan ang katotohanan at 'yung proseso na 'yun ay kailangan. Bilang siyentista, bukas ang iyong pag-iisip unang-una,” said the journalist.

“Pangalawa, masipag ka at matiyaga para abutin ’yung katotohanan na ’yun kahit sa simula parang mahirap sagutin.”

[In science, it’s important to believe in the process, that there is a process to find the truth and that process is necessary. As a scientist, you need to have an open mind first and foremost. Second, you need to work hard and persevere to get to the truth even if in the beginning it’s hard to achieve.]

He also added being “dispassionate.” “[W]hat the data says is what the data says,” said Atom.

The journalist said thinking in a scientific way helped combat being swept by emotions, especially those triggered by information spread on social media.

He said this was one of the skills he learned in his years of training to become a scientist.

According to Atom, another advantage of having a science background is that journalism is enriched through the expertise of different people from other fields.

“Journalism isn’t just repeating what other people say. I think that a big part of the stories that we create is applying your critical thinking. And if you are an expert or not even an expert but if you are familiar with the particular story that you’re doing, then better. That serves everyone better,” he said.

Atom said having a background in science also helped him in dealing with numbers.

“I’m not afraid to look at scientific papers and I’m not afraid to kind of call things out when it doesn’t match with the evidence. And I feel that kind of confidence I got through my training,” he said.

Another advantage, he said, was that being knowledgeable in the field gave him a chance to meet more people and credible sources in areas such as medicine and data science.

Atom clarified, however, that he did not mean a training in journalism was not important.

He said he himself learned many things when he was already on the field and he sought guidance from those who studied journalism.

True to his science roots, Atom said he recognized the importance of scientists and engineers in nation-building.

“I still feel that we need more scientists and engineers. I think that’s crucial if you want to progress as a nation. And I wanted to be part of that,” he said.

“Nagkataon lang na (it just so happened that) maybe I didn’t have what it takes to become a really, really good scientist or my other interest pulled me in another direction.” – Kaela Malig/RC, GMA News