Mike De Leon hits Atom for hypocrisy, narcissism

Thanking Atom for “breaking his silence,” Mike wrote back by saying that he was indeed a deeply troubled person. (Photo: Citizen Jake/Facebook)

As an addition to the lengthy Facebook post wars between “Citizen Jake” writers Mike De Leon, the film’s director, and Atom Araullo, its actor, the renowned filmmaker continued to slam the latter.

This all started last week in the midst of the film hitting the theaters when Mike wrote how he felt about the journalist-turned-actor’s performance.

“I only realized later that Atom’s journalism was not exactly the kind of journalism I had in mind. It’s not the gritty kind but more of the celebrity-centered schlock that sometimes verges on entertainment, even showbiz,” Mike earlier wrote.

“Looking back, I can see why he wanted to become a movie actor. Perhaps the journalist was really a closet movie star,” he added.

Though Mike considered Atom’s contribution as “substantial” and even praised some of his scenes, he still felt relief in the thought that finishing “Citizen Jake” is like closing a book to “finally get out of each other’s lives.”

As of writing, the director’s first post on Atom is already deleted, but on May 30, Wednesday, the actor also released his statement as a defense to Mike’s “hurtful” remarks.

(Read: Atom Araullo answers Mike de Leon’s tirade against him)

Atom said that he would like this post to be his first and last comment on the issue, not wishing it to appear as a marketing stunt to promote the film or a behind-the-scene instance that would turn potential viewers off.

He wrote that he did not want to besmirch Mike’s reputation the way the director did to him. But he also said that Atom said that it is important to explain why he was not shocked by Mike’s latest tirade.

“It was only the latest in a string of unprovoked, irrational, almost random tantrums that I had to endure during the making of this film, determined as I was to see it through. It had a profound effect on me, and to be honest, made it that much harder to perform my duties in the movie,” he said.

Atom also labeled the filmmaker “a deeply troubled person,” and that Mike “needs help, patience, and understanding as he wrestles with his personal demons.”

The actor noted that he worked professionally and gave his best anyway.

However, Mike did not allow this to be Atom’s “first and last” as he also wished the

Thanking Atom for “breaking his silence,” Mike wrote back by saying that he was indeed a deeply troubled person.

“I accept that. I come from a crazy rich family anyway. But let me just add that you forgot to mention a few important events. I will mention just one,” he said, continuing that, “When we were shooting the last sequence with Teroy, you unexpectedly ignored my direction and did something that was not rehearsed nor agreed upon. Many people were witness to this. The following day, I told you that never in my career as a director has any actor disrespected me as much as you did. Then I told you that if you wanted to direct yourself, then, by all means, do it. You can overact all you want. I will just shoot whatever you wish to do and direct the other actors in the scene. Then you went into a meandering explanation about why you did it without really saying anything, not even apologizing.”

Mike further wrote that the actor was “cringing” when he is called a celebrity or a star.

“How hypocritical. Don’t bother to cringe anymore because you revel in it. You make commercials now and you exploited the Marawi bakwit by making that offensive commercial featuring yourself, monologuing like Citizen Jake, all under the sponsorship of McDo,” he commented.

The filmmaker cited Atom’s statement that he had his demons to face, but the former reporter also had his own demons to beat.

“Having admitted that I’m a deeply troubled person, i will make no excuses for it – not even the usual “artists are temperamental and accountable to no one but their art.” but please be kind to your soul and accept the reality – stop pretending to want to embrace the universe, when all the time, you only want to embrace yourself. This is called narcissism,” Mike wrote.

In the comments section, Mike said he was hoping to hear from Atom, saying that he can post on the page since he was already ‘unblocked.’

“Citizen Jake”  is about a teacher and a “citizen journalist” Jake Herrera (played by Atom), who is conflicted with being the son of a Senator and with exposing the truth to the public.