“A View from the Ground” Book Debut: We Were Here

Laban lang! (Keep fighting!)

wrote Atom Araullo — the freshly minted book author of 

"A View from the Ground,” which was launched yesterday. 

Did he immediately feel the Gabriela vibe in me...

Shouting "Tanggalin ang pork barrel!"
(Scrap the pork barrel!)
Taken: August 25, 2013 (My maiden ultra marathon that
had me resting the next day so I failed to be with my kins)

or did my sister Cristy subconsciously prompt him when she showed their throwback photo during the PDAF (Priority Development Assistance Fund) or pork barrel rally at Luneta Park on August 26, 2013? Ha-ha! 

My niece Arianne, Atom, and my sister Cristy 

HER FACEBOOK CAPTION:

Tita Cristy to Atom: “Atom, National Heroes’ Day ngayon so you’re my Hero.” Korni si Tita. Hahaha. (“Atom it’s National Heroes’ Day today so you’re my Hero.” Tita is corny.) 

Cristy's displaying the 12-year-old photo was a very effective tool in capturing Atom’s full attention.

I-witness (pun intended) Atom's big surprise turning to elation and my sister’s own state of euphoria. He did show genuine interest in what Cristy was telling him. It sparked remembrance of the protest and made them connect briefly. 

Without a doubt, the up-close encounter was an extremely beautiful moment for my sister and me!

Both admirers of Atom's journalistic skills and qualities especially his objectivity, integrity and ethics, we went to SMX to attend his book launch at 2:00pm. It was one of the scheduled afternoon events on the last day of MIBF (Manila International Book Fair). 

 

We joined a biiiiig number of attendees who patiently queued almost three hours for his autograph and souvenir photo. Well, try visualizing a serpentine line up to the hallway! Thank God I successfully strategized to be the first buyer when the sale was transferred to a different booth. The large crowd had me initially worrying that there wouldn’t be enough copies for us.  

A bonus after Atom’s book kickoff was purchasing the latest writing by Ricky Lee, National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts. Coincidentally his review of Atom's publication was one of the blurbs. This explained why he also gave a short celebratory speech during the program. 

For me it was grabbing a once-in-a-lifetime chance to personally congratulate Sir Ricky on his new novel and express my admiration of his works. I was tempted telling him that it was Lino Brocka and he whom I looked up to during my high school days (!), but there was still a long line of autograph “hounds” waiting for their turn. In a nutshell, their award-winning films inspired this pobreng probinsyanang Bikolana to dream of becoming a director and scriptwriter back then. Ahem-ahem! However, my aspiration went pfft for I had a different calling. *sighs* 

Thank you, September 14, 2025! You delivered us another unprecedented experience worth retelling. 

Then, while exiting SMX, I asked my sister who could be the second local author whose book unveiling we would be attending. Instantly she replied, "Vico Sotto!"

Boom! A soothsayer’s powerful pronouncement has been spoken! *cackles*