Atom Araullo

Alfonso Tomas "Atom" Pagaduan Araullo (; born October 19, 1982) is a Filipino broadcast journalist and television presenter. He currently hosts documentary programs such as '' The Atom Araullo Specials'' and ''I-Witness'', and is serving as the anchor of newscast '' State of the Nation''.

Araullo is a national Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and was conferred the title after undertaking missions to visit displaced families in Mindanao, Bangladesh, and Jordan.

He is also an advocate for environmental conservation, notably in marine ecosystems. He received a star on the Eastwood City Walk of Fame on November 21, 2017.

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.

Filmography

Television

Radio

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

Online

Film

Awards and nominations

References

External links

*

GMA Network profile

{{DEFAULTSORT:Araullo, Atom
1982 births
Living people
GMA Integrated News and Public Affairs people
GMA Network (company) people
ABS-CBN people
ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs people
TV5 Network people
Ateneo de Manila University alumni
Filipino male film actors
Filipino male models
Filipino television news anchors
Tagalog people
University of the Philippines Diliman alumni
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees goodwill ambassadors