Atom Araullo

Early life and education

Alfonso Tomas Pagaduan Araullo was born on October 19, 1982, the youngest child and only son of Miguel (nicknamed "Mike") and Carol Araullo (née Pagaduan). He has an older sister, Alessandra "Sandra" (née Araullo) Gonzales, who is a triathlete as well. Being the son of an activist family, Araullo spent most of his early childhood days with his parents battling it out during the Marcos dictatorship. This has exposed him to the political struggle in the country. During his early elementary school days, his parents exposed him to sports and the theater. As a result, he became part of several plays and has joined various competitions as a triathlete.

He finished his elementary education at Ateneo de Manila University, and his high school education at the Philippine Science High School Main Campus. Araullo graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Physics from the University of the Philippines Diliman. There he became a member of the League of Filipino Students (LFS), as well as the chairperson of the Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights - UP (STAND-UP). He also won as Councilor in the UP Diliman University Student Council elections of 2003, garnering the highest number of votes.

Career

1993–2003: Early beginnings

During his childhood years, Araullo was part of 5 and Up (produced by Probe Productions, Inc.). He also used to host the Studio 23 morning show Breakfast, the * National Quiz Bee*, Probe Media Foundation Inc.'s Kabataan Xpress, Basta Sports and Kalye: Mga Kwento ng Lansangan with Anthony Taberna and Sol Aragones.

2004–2017: Beginnings as GMA News reporter and transfer to ABS-CBN

Araullo started his news-reporting career with GMA Network where he featured in the "ATOMic Sports" segment of 24 Oras. He moved to ABS-CBN in 2005. He hosted Red Alert and Umagang Kay Ganda.

Initially rumored, Araullo confirmed his resignation as a news reporter of ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs, specifically from his reportorial duties on TV Patrol, Bandila, and the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) in late August 2016. He explained that he wanted to explore opportunities and pursue other interests, debunking the rumor that he opted for resignation because of his strong opinions.

2017–present: Return to GMA Network

In September 2017, Araullo left ABS-CBN. He returned to GMA Network that same month, where he focused on making documentaries, starting with Philippine Seas. Months later, Araullo joined the longest-running documentary program i-Witness, and also became the host of his own monthly documentary program The Atom Araullo Specials in 2018.

"Munting Bisig", an episode from The Atom Araullo Specials, won a silver award in the human concerns and social issues category at the Cannes Corporate Media and TV Awards. The episode also won in the social issues category at the New York Festivals TV and Film Awards 2022 and best Asian documentary at the Asia Contents Awards.

In January 2021, Araullo is chosen to take over along with Maki Pulido as the anchors of GMA News TV (later GTV) newscast State of the Nation, replacing Jessica Soho who decided to retire at the end of 2020.

Legal cases

In December 2024, the Quezon City Regional Trial Court promulgated a P2-million fine judgment against Lorraine Badoy-Partosa and Jeffrey "Ka Eric" Celiz for red-baiting Araullo.

Other activities

Araullo wrote and starred in Mike de Leon's Citizen Jake (2018), playing a son of corrupt senator-turned-citizen journalist Jacobo "Jake" Herrera Jr. In 2025, he released his first book, titled A View From The Ground, an account of his experiences as a journalist.

Filmography

Television

Radio

• Red Alert sa DZMM (DZMM Radyo Patrol 630) (2013–2017)

Online

Film

Awards and nominations

References

References

1. "Atom Araullo moved GMA News and Public Affairs".
2. (21 March 2018). "ALL KAPS talent management agency, umabot na sa 28 ang mga alaga".
3. "UNHCR - Atom Araullo".
4. (4 February 2019). "Atom Araullo appointed UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador". UNHCR.
5. (November 15, 2017). "Karen Davila, Anthony Taberna get stars at Eastwood Walk of Fame". ABS-CBN News.
6. Purnell, Kristofer. (October 5, 2022). "Who is Zen Hernandez, Atom Araullo's rumored new girlfriend?".
7. Malasig, Jeline. (October 26, 2022). "Fact check: Atom Araullo named after August Twenty One Movement?".
8. (21 June 2015). "What Atom Araullo learned from his father". ABS-CBN News.
9. (12 August 2010). "On the Spot: Atom Araullo".
10. Teves, Maria Althea. (15 March 2009). "Atom Araullo: From physics to activism to journalism". ABS-CBN News.
11. (22 September 2017). "Atom Araullo returns to GMA Network". Sun Star Manila.
12. (August 27, 2016). "ABS-CBN News reporter Atom Araullo resigns from reportorial duties". Manila Bulletin.
13. (September 15, 2017). "Atom Araullo bids goodbye to ABS-CBN".
14. Siazon, Rachelle. (November 5, 2017). "Atom Araullo 'very hands on' in shooting first Kapuso documentary Philippine Seas".
15. Tariman, Pablo A.. (April 15, 2018). "Life beneath the bridge & other docu discoveries".
16. Tunac, Hermes Joy. (2022-10-20). "'The Atom Araullo Specials: Munting Bisig' wins silver award at the Cannes Corporate Media and TV Awards".
17. (January 1, 2021). "Atom Araullo at Maki Pulido, papalit kay Jessica Soho sa State of The Nation". PEP.ph.
18. (December 14, 2024). "Atom Araullo wins P2M damages in red-tagging case vs Badoy, Celiz". [[The Philippine Star]].
19. (22 November 2016). "Atom to make movie debut in new Mike de Leon film". ABS-CBN.
20. (27 March 2017). "The 'baptism' of Atom Araullo". The Philippine Star.
21. (10 July 2017). "Atom Araullo: From journalist to actor". Manila Bulletin.
22. (September 16, 2025). "What inspired Atom Araullo to write his first book 'A View From The Ground?' Kapuso journalist answers". GMA News.
23. Anarcon, James Patrick. (September 20, 2017). "Atom Araullo: From Kapuso to Kapamilya to Kapuso again?". PEP.ph.
24. "Introducing the new Breakfast Barkada".
25. Mata, Paul. (September 25, 2009). "Atom Araullo rekindles his love for storytelling via Kalye". PEP.ph.
26. Barameda, Joe. "Favorite ng Kapuso... Atom may bagong docu program naman!".
27. Tomada, Nathalie. "Atom Araullo talks adulting".
28. Gabinete, Jojo. (January 6, 2021). "Joseph Morong, aminadong na-pressure sa pagpalit kay Atom Araullo bilang anchor ng Stand For Truth". PEP.ph.
29. Parungao, Regina Mae. (10 July 2017). "Atom Araullo: From journalist to actor". Manila Bulletin.
30. (2015-04-17). "11th USTV Awards highlights 'role of social media'".
31. (April 20, 2015). "Abs-Cbn is Thomasians' Network of Choice at 11th USTV Awards". ABS-CBN News.
32. Santos, Tomas U.. (2016-04-28). "USTv Awards tackle May 9 polls".
33. (July 23, 2016). "ABS-CBN naghakot an awards sa Golden Laurel". The Philippine Star.
34. (29 April 2017). "Atom's documentary gets bronze at New York Festivals". ABS-CBN News.
35. (3 May 2017). "ABS-CBN wins big at UP's Gandingan Awards". ABS-CBN News.
36. [https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/11/13/17/vice-ganda-dedicates-star-awards-win-to-hashtags-franco Vice Ganda dedicates Star Awards win to Hashtags' Franco] ''ABS-CBN News''