ABOUT THE BOOK

This book is a collection of narrative journalism focused on people living in the margins of society. The stories are based on years of field reporting all over the Philippines and in portions of Southeast Asia, and covers a range of themes including displacement, public health, education, armed conflict, and environmental degradation.

Each piece was reported on the ground and written with attention to detail, context, and the voices of those directly affected. It places the reader at the heart of the story and highlights the courage of ordinary people in the face of extraordinary hardship. The essays examine how broad issues affect people’s daily lives—on an individual level and as part of a larger national story.

The book also features documentary photographs taken by the author. The words and images work together to give readers a more visceral understanding of the realities that many people face. It also offers a nonfiction storytelling style that is not commonly found in today’s media landscape.

As a compilation of diverse stories, this book attempts to present a snapshot of Philippine society for future generations. It also encourages present-day readers to engage more deeply with the realities that many Filipinos face.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Atom Araullo is a journalist and documentary filmmaker. He anchors State of the Nation and hosts The Atom Araullo Specials and I-Witness on GMA Network. He is also the co-founder of FYT, an independent media organization that promotes community-oriented, public interest journalism. Araullo serves as the National Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. Born and raised in Manila, he earned his undergraduate degree in Applied Physics from the University of the Philippines Diliman.