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Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Atom Araullo is "The Bomb!"

Image courtesy of Fashion PULIS reader

Source: www.philstar.com

Isang ‘mahiwagang’ hapon sa buhay ni Atom Araullo, ang‘spice boy’ ng ABS-CBN News

Is Atom so nicknamed because he graduated with a B.S. Applied Physics degree (at UP, 2000-2005)?

Not really, although as per Webster’s definition of an atom (…considered as a source of vast potential energy), he might as well be described as “atomic” (like the bomb).

The sobriquet is actually a combination of his grandfathers’ names, Alfonso Araullo and Tomas Pagaduan.

Alfonso Tomas Araullo was born on Oct. 19, 1982 (Libra), a well-packaged TV host (Hiwaga on ABS-CBN) and field reporter (for Umagang Kay Ganda on same channel) who stands 5’10”, weighs 155 lbs. and wears medium-size shirt, medium-size briefs and size-9 shoes. He’s hands-down the best-looking guy, the Spice Boy of the Kapamilya News Department.

As a kid, Atom was a science freak who watched shows on the Discovery Channel, that’s why he studied as a scholar at the Philippine Science High School (1996-2000) which is famous for being the alma mater of exceptionally-talented students. Before PSci (pronounced “Pisay”), Atom was at Ateneo where he was a member of the Children’s Theater which cast him at age 10 in the title role in Oliver.

“I pursued theater only until my first year in college,” said Atom who did a stint as a co-host of tween show5 & Up (produced by Probe Team for GMA) together with the likes of Chynna Ortaleza, Maxene Magalona and Cruz brothers Rayver and Rodjun. Later, after graduation, Atom also co-hosted the Studio 23 showBreakfast with Bianca Gonzalez, Ryan Agoncillo, Mariton Pacheco and Bam Aquino (newly-elected senator).

True to the title of his weekly ABS-CBN show, Atom (who has won awards too many to enumerate here) is partly shrouded in “mystery” (mahiwaga) so one afternoon Conversations tried to uncover him and, in a sense, “detonating” the Atom Bomb. He showed up at the pool bar of the Imperial Palace Suites (IPS) looking more like a fashion plate than a field reporter.

Are you aware that you are the best-looking guy in the ABS-CBN News Department, bar none (any objections?)?

(Blushes) “According to who…my mother?”(Laughs) “I really don’t think so. I’m happy…how should I say it?...to be recognized for my looks but in reporting kasi that’s not the most important thing; it’s only secondary, uhm, not even secondary, siguro pangatlong bagay na lang.”

Your field is very competitive, isn’t it?

“Oh yes, it is. Very competitive.”

And looking good is a plus factor, of course!

“You think so?”

Doesn’t being good-looking distract people from the stories you are reporting?

“Hopefully not.”

Are you vain like most good-looking guys?

“Uhm, I think all of us are vain to a certain degree. It would be hypocritical of me to say that I don’t care the least bit about my looks. But wala kaming masyadong luxury sa News because when you are in the field, mauusukan ka, papawisan ka, madudumihan ka, you have to go to places na hindi maayos ang sitwasyon so hindi puedeng ayos palagi ang buhok mo, hindi puedeng lagi kang mabango, hindi puedeng magbihis ng maayos palagi…you should always be on the go.”

Some people find you somewhat suplado (snob). What is Atom Araullo really like?

“Suplado? Hindi naman. I’m just shy by nature, not the palabati type. When I am at a party, nahihiya akomaki-mix sa guests. I guess it’s part of my personality.”

But you are not anti-social, are you?

“I don’t think so, hindi naman. I think I’m more of an introvert than an extrovert.”

Aren’t you a partygoer?

“No, I’m not. I don’t even hang out in bars. I’m not into that kind of lifestyle. But sometimes, when friends invite me to an occasion, like a birthday, I do go…once in a blue moon! I’d rather stay at home. Or have a few drinks at some friend’s house. Nag-i-enjoy, kuwentuhan!”

Who are the TV guys that you look up to as role models?

“There’s Tony Velasquez. He’s a great interviewer, he has a great voice and a good command of the language whether it’s English or Filipino. Si Ces Drilon who I admire for her passion for the craft, and Ted Failon for his attempts to popularize issues that aren’t really close to the heart of people, pero importanteng national issues pa rin.”

Oops! You’re very partisan. They are all your fellow Kapamilya!

“Siempre!” (And quickly correcting himself) “But I also admire journalists from other networks but I don’t have a chance to observe them closely. There’s (Kapuso) Howie Severino who is a great documentarist.Sa totoo lang, halos lahat ng seniors got to where they are now because they have amply proven themselves, marami na silang napatunayan.”

I understand that you were politically active in UP, as a councilor.

“Well, UP has always been known as ‘a hotbed of activism.’ I also joined protest marches. I’m proud of that. That’s what you do when you are young. I learned a lot at UP na ina-apply ko pa rin sa buhay.”

Like what?

“For one, I’m acutely aware of the prevailing injustice in society, the great divide between the rich and the poor, the elitism in government and many other things that need to be changed. I learned about those issues as a student leader. That’s the advantage of being a student leader; you reach out to people not only in urban areas but also, especially, in rural areas.”

Which side of the “great divide” do you belong?

“I come from a middle-class family. My mom, Carol Araullo, is an activist. She’s a member of Bayan. But she’s not as active as she used to be, especially when she was a student, because she’s taking care of her health. I look at my mom’s activism as an inspiration. I have only one sibling, an older sister who is married and working at the stock exchange. We grew up in comfort naman, although we didn’t have a lot of luxuries, unlike other families who travel abroad, who have their own cars for their children. I had to look for scholarships so I could have a good education. I took public transport to and from school.”

Describe your typical working day.

“Monday through Friday, I wake up at 3 a.m. and head for ABS-CBN for the morning show Umagang Kay Ganda (UKG), from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m., where I do mostly field reporting. If I have free time, I do other things like take a quick run, swim a bit or play football. I have to be in bed by 10 p.m. On weekends, shoot for my weekly show Hiwaga (about mysterious true stories).”

You don’t have time for yourself, do you?

“I do, every now and then. If I have free time, I sleep. ‘Yon lang ang bisyo ko. Tulog nang tulog.”

It’s good that you’re fit for such a punishing schedule.

“I take care of my health. Keeping fit is natural with me because I’ve been an athlete for a long, long time.”

Don’t you have time for your love life (if any)?

“No love life. Now? Wala akong girlfriend.”

How many girlfriends have you had so far?

“Just one. We went steady for four years, and then we broke up.”

What’s your type ba?

“Somebody who’s comfortable and confident with herself. Independent.”

Pretty and sexy?

“Oo naman, siempre! Those are the things that catch your attention. There are a lot of pretty and sexy girls but not all of them stand out. Importante ‘yung nag-iisip, critical thinker ganoon.”

Do you live alone?

“No. I’m staying with my parents. Medyo spoiled ako sa bahay. Hehehehe!”

With your hectic schedule, do you manage to take three square meals a day?

“Actually, nakaka-apat nga ako, kasi ang haba ng araw ko, eh.”

You had a good start in theater. What would make you go back to acting?

“At this point, I cannot because we are forbidden to. News people are not allowed to cross over to entertainment because the underlying wisdom is that we might lose our credibility. I think in most countries, journalists don’t usually cross over to entertainment. Acting is something that I enjoyed when I was a kid and I don’t really mind going back to it. Medyo sayang din because I know a lot of theater people…actors and directors…and they sometimes want to include me in their production but unfortunately, too, I have no more time to spare from my work in television.”

Okay, distill your life into three words.

“Adventurous. Curious. Insatiable.”

Atom plays favorites

= Author: Ernest Hemingway (Fiesta, The Sun Also Rises, etc.)

= Filmmaker(s): Akira Kurosawa and Lino Brocka (“I just watched the restored version of Maynila Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag and it’s mind-blowing!”)

= Hobby: Photography

= Pastime: Reading books and watching movies

= Part of my body: My eyes. (“When I smile, they disappear. I’m chinky-eyed, tumawa lang ako ng konti nagiging slits na lang ang mga mata ko.”)

= Part of a girl’s body: The hita (“Not the butt, but the part above it”)

= Hideaway: The bathroom. (“When I get suffocated by people, I retreat to the bathroom. It happens during a party. I stay in the bathroom and breathe easily to relax”)zz

= Sport: Football (“When I was younger”), swimming and mountaineering

= Possession: My old photographs

= What I like most about myself: “I don’t take things too seriously.”

= What I don’t like about myself: “My being indecisive. When I shop for shoes, it takes time before I can decide what pairs to buy. I would go back to the store up to three times to make sure I’m choosing the right pair. Maybe I just balance the options before making a decision. I’m a Libran, you know.”

111 comments:

  1. OMG I LOVE YOU PAPA ATOM

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    Replies
    1. Gwapo sya, no doubt. Pero when it comes to news docu and news reportng. HIlaw pa sya.

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  2. very articulate naman this GUY. marry me please?

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  3. ang sarap magbasa pag ganito inninterview

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  4. Nakita ko si Atom sa University namin once and mula noon I loved his bird este beard. Clean look, rugged look- he has the looks! I love you Atom :)

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  5. Bet ko talaga sha 5&up days pa!

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  6. I *HEART* YOU, ATOM!!!

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  7. krizzy kalerqui will dedinitely like it!

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  8. ano kayang feeling na makadate si atom?

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  9. One Word: - NakakaINLOVE♥

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  10. Funny, dami namin similarities namin ni Atom. Fave author, hobby, movie, pastime.

    Ask ko lng bkit si Kuya Kim, he does news but he also hosts sa showtime. May exception lng cguro.

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    Replies
    1. Kuya Kim does the weather and human interest stories, not the news :-)

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    2. he also reports traffic 'news'

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  11. Replies
    1. OO nga gusto ko din malaman kung b nga siya.. may 2 na akong kaibigan na hindi magkakilala na nagsabi... huhuhu wag naman sana....

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  12. I love atom in any matter, form and state.

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  13. Bagay c atom k Sarah geronimo hahahaha

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    Replies
    1. fantard! maisingit lang ang idol mong pacute lang ang alam sa boys

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  14. konti nlng ang guys na gnyan. matalino, athletic, may substance, walang bisyo and masayahin dn at the same time.. swerte ng magiging gf nya for sure!

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    1. ah, ah, ah... not so fast. don't assume ateh! remember, he knows the interview is going to be published and as a journalist, maingat shempre sha sa pag sagot-sagot. gaya na rin lang ng mga comments dito sa FP, alam naman nating lahat tayo eh may dark side, walang 100% perfect. tiyak may tinatago itong dark side at yun ang mas nakaka curious. but it does not mean masuwerte ang magiging gf nya or ang mapapangasawa nya kasi like the rest of us, hindi sha perfect. may "baho" rin ito for sure!

      tama? T.A.M.A.!

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    2. CORRECTED BY!!!!! pero my chika na di sya naniniwla sa marriage (na major cause din dw ng break up nila ng ex nya) sana tinanong dn un kc di mttahimik ang kaluluwa ko hanggat di nya nssagot yon. Chos!hahahaa!!

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    3. teh inggit ka lang. tumigil ka na sa pag iilusyon mo. kung magsalita ka akala mo ikaw na ang pinakamagaling. ano ba natapos mo? saan ka ba nag-aral? baka ma jessica soho ka ha at di ka makabangon pag nadaganan ka na.

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    4. Agree ako,sa kanya about sa marriage thing. D ko alam kung bakit atat atat ag mga pinoy magpakasal, eh d naman yan assurance na kayo habang buhay or mapipugilan mo ag spouse mo sa pagche-cheat (yan ag rason ng iba, sadly). Most ng kilala ko na nag papakasal at a young age, hiwalay na or may marital problems na.

      iba kasi natatakot matuyohan, warranted naman. But it is best to wait when you are mature at yung asawa mo ganun din. Late 20's or early 30's.

      but him not believing about marriage says a lot about his intelligence level. To be honest, similar kami cguro ng outlook doon sa kasal. It's kind of a nonsense nowadays, parang excuse lang to be gaudy and make big gastos. Kung in love talaga kayo, ok go! But i just hate it when they use it as a means to control ur wife/husband. Asa ka pa teh!

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    5. I don't see the connection of one's outlook on marriage and intelligence, sir.

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  15. "Adventurous. Curious. Insatiable." = good in bed. Super like!

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    Replies
    1. Kinilig akelz sa analyzation mo! Hahaha

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    2. Analysis. Don't use non-existent words.

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    3. Are you new here, 12:04 AM?

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    4. then 12:04, don't be a grammar nazi. galing mo e.

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  16. Atom please love me... I will do everything for u.. Please choose me.. U can use me and even reuse me!!!

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  17. si beking ricky lo ba ang nag interview ke atom??? seems like it with the usual brief size, feet size, kaya nasupalpal ng hollywood actress

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    Replies
    1. buti nga at nasupalpal ng hollywood actress si mareng ricky loley. serves him right. uutal-utal kasi at hindi marunong magpronounce. mukhang crush nya si atom dahil feel na feel nya ang interview.

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    2. bitter parin mga teh? Di maka move on. Move on na. Si charice na uso ngayon.

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    3. ay agree, crush nya lahat ng hombre na tinatanong ng brief size????
      @12:47- ateh ang SUBJECT is atom and the author , hello???? kelan naging charice si ricky lo??? they are both gays, ateh, isip isip, use ur neurons pwde?

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    4. syempre tatanungin na niya diba. :))

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  18. he is a rare find! Gwapo, brains and he cares for our country at Hindi babaero :)

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    Replies
    1. eh hindi naman kaya lalakero.. but still i love him.. 5&up pa lang..

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  19. Ba*la ba si Atom? Kumalembang

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    Replies
    1. lahat na kumalembang sayo assuming masyado teh gusto mo lang tikman

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    2. i don't think so. and who cares?

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  20. I like him a lot! Young blood new breed of news reporters. Albeit the rumors abt him being g*y, naggagalingan ako sa knyan.

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    Replies
    1. he's hot no matter what .. hehe

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  21. NOT INTERESTED!

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    Replies
    1. Pasensiya na sa nga pagkukulang ko.
      -Atom

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    2. ok lang. di rin sya interesado sa yo. you're just a commoner!!

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    3. Mutual naman daw ang feeling of disinterest, teh, so quits lang.

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    4. Hindi daw interested. E bat nagcomment ka pa? Papansin lang teh? Ahahahaha

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    5. like minds attract each other. obviously hindi ka genius material

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    6. OH MY ang Daming FANTARD dito! Hindi rin interesado si Atom sa inyo mga ateng FANTARD

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  22. BAGAY SILA NI SARAG G!!

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    Replies
    1. who are you? bakit lagi mong sinisingit si sarah g? find something more relevant to do!

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  23. kabog kayong lahat kay krizzy kalerQUI!

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  24. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    Replies
    1. ay bitter si atey. di ka ba pinapansin? kawawa ka naman.

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    2. inggit si ateng, hindi siguro siya pinansin ni atom. haaay...

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    3. ateh, puros calvin klein ang pinapadala ko sa kanya kapalit ang isang bacon brip na gamit na.

      - lizzy

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  25. Gahd! Buti nalang critical thinker, pretty and sexy ako! Makapagpakita nga ke Atom bukas.

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  26. FP, i think u forgot to include that he had stints on saksi before as a field reporter on sports because it's reli where i remember him most b4 his network transfer (forgive my punctuation grammar police).
    -FP addict reader in KSA #ANAMA'LUM

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  27. Shux..anu kaya feeling na maging jowa si atom?? Baka need magbasa lagi! I still love him though... :))

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  28. atom my dream guy!

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  29. My favorite reporter. The reason I watch TV Patrol..

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  30. = Part of a girl’s body: The hita (“Not the butt, but the part above it”)
    WHUT?

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  31. A rare find indeed.. ♥

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  32. Namiss ko bigla 5 & up.sana mapanood ko uli un.

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  33. gusto kong malahian ako ni atom. kahit walang kasal ok lang sa akin. gusto ko sya ang maging sperm donor ko. matalino na gwapo pa athletic pa. applied physics major, UP pa, practicing broadcast journalist, photography, film and theater enthusiast, pisay high school &ateneo grade school grad. hayyy ano pa ang hahanapin mo? atom i need your genes. lahian mo ako. impregnate as many women as you want para kumalat ang magandang lahi mo.

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    Replies
    1. hoy gising na, beki!

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    2. "Ayoko nga."

      - Atomic

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    3. isali mo na ako sa listahan ng mga gusto ng genes ni atom

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  34. what's the fuzz about this guy?

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    Replies
    1. UP days pa lang, pinagkakaguluhan na si Atom.

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    2. OMG, with that excellent scholastic records, need i contradict? Juice koh, Applied Physics belongs to only the best students who are equipped with excellent brain cells...Atom may your tribe increase.

      ---nagmamagandang cainta

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    3. no, fuzz as in fuzzy wires.

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    4. Exactly. So ordinary.

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    5. Sorry to burst your bubble, but I think there are smarter students in other UP courses like Intarmed or MBB.

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    6. para sa iyong kaalaman, qualified for intarmed and UPCAT score ni atom.

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  35. magaling talaga pumili si krizzy kalerqui

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  36. hayyy atom..u're my ideal fafa..

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  37. i love him eversince!

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  38. Akin si ATOM!!!!!
    Sorry krizzy!
    hihihihiihii :p

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  39. i like you atom.pareho tau libra kya nakakarelate ako sa ugali mo.

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  40. my breakfast every morning...

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  41. until you all find out yung dark side ng batang to....am sure meron dito kahit isa alam kung ano tinutukoy ko...

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    Replies
    1. hala b**la ano naman yang pasabog mo?...

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    2. bat ba ang hilig mo magcomment ng tungkol sa dark side??? majority dito gusto sya, kontrapelo ka lang. inggit ka ba o may pinagdadaanan??? o ayaw mo lang talaga kay atom?? hinahawaan mo lang kami sa duda mo eh. mas gusto ko naman kiligin kesa manghusga katulad mo, KJ!

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    3. Haha. Just when someone offered an alternative reality, everybody went berserk. We can't really beat the underdog, avid fanatic craze of Filipinos.

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  42. Nothing special about him. Just ordinary short and dark man.

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  43. I don't really see anything that appealing about him.

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  44. What is the big deal? Nothing.

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  45. Meh...he is ordinary lang. Walang special.

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    Replies
    1. Me too. Nothing special.. Dunno what's the fuzz

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  46. He's not 5'10". I think matangkad na ang 5'6" . Great guy. Amazing credentials. Sana dumami pa ang katulad nya sa TV. There were rumors going around back then aa UPD na may bf daw sya na sinusundo pa sya after ng mga class nya. Then again, sikat sya so di talaga maiiwasan ang rumors na ganyan. Amazing guy, nonetheless.

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  47. he's indeed rare catch, but i dont like him anymore..believe it or not, i find him as a living prince charming,,i've been a super fan of the blogsite of his ex gf..i find their relationship as one a perfect one,,a princess who found her prince..
    bagay na bagay talaga sila,,swak sila sa travels, sa lahat lahat except one thing...the princess believe it happy ending, but the guy don't.
    nasagot lang yung tanong ko why they broke up is when the princess wrote something about their break ups,,
    yung pag hanga ko talaga kay atom nawala,,simply im a girl din,,dama ko si ex gf..i kniw the feelings,,and i hindi ko aakalain na yung prince na hinahangaan ko eh hindi pala totoong prince..
    hays atom,,,you lost a gem..sana mahanap mo yung hapinness mo before its too late..
    by the way sa hindi nakakaalam,,the exgf is now happily married sa kanyang totoong prince charming...

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    Replies
    1. ano daw ung reason kung bakit sila nagbreak? saka ano ung blog ni exgf?

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  48. agree! according to the website, atom is an atheist and doesn't believe in marriage.. truly charm is deceptive..

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  49. pareho kami about sa pagbili ng shoes!... hahaha... actually, maraming bagay na pareho kami, siguro ganun tlga basta mga Librans... ang pagkakaiba lng namin (pwera sa babae ako - lalaki sya) ay achiever sya, ako isang dreamer lang...

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  50. hndi nmn 5'10 c Atom eh. Try nyo tanggalin yung heels. :p

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  51. I love you atom!!!! :D

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  52. Crush ko na siya grade school pa lang ako! Hehe

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  53. Im kinda crushing on him when i saw him report about the typhoon yolanda, he was literally in the water helping. Take that Arnold Clavio.

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