Alfonso Tomas "Atom" Pagaduan Araullo (Tagalog: [ʔaˈɾaʊljɔ]; 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 co-anchor of newscast State of the Nation.

Atom Araullo
Araullo in 2019
Born
Alfonso Tomas Pagaduan Araullo

(1982-10-19) 19 October 1982 (age 42)
NationalityFilipino
Alma materUniversity of the Philippines Diliman, (BS)
Occupations
  • Broadcast journalist
  • television presenter
Years active1993–present
Employers
AgentALL KAPS Talent Management Agency[2]

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.[3][4]

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.[5]

Early life and education

edit

Alfonso Tomas Pagaduan Araullo was born on October 19, 1982,[6][7] the youngest child and only son of Miguel (nicknamed "Mike")[8] and Carol Araullo (née Pagaduan).[9] He has an older sister, Alessandra "Sandra" 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.[10] 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

edit

1993–2003: Early beginnings

edit

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.[citation needed]

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

edit
 
Araullo in 2009

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.[11] 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.[12]

2017–present: Return to GMA Network

edit

In September 2017, Araullo left ABS-CBN.[13] He returned to GMA Network that same month, where he focused on making documentaries, starting with Philippine Seas.[11][14] 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.[15]

"Munting Bisig", an episode from the Atom Araulo 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.[16]

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 resign at the end of 2020.[17]

Other activities

edit

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.[18][19][20]

Filmography

edit

Television

edit
Year Title Notes Network Source
1992–2002 5 and Up Host GMA Network / ABC
2004 24 Oras ATOMic Sports host GMA Network [21]
2004–06 KNN: Kabataan News Network Host ABC [22]
2006 Basta Sports ABS-CBN
2006–07 Breakfast Studio 23
2008–09 Kalye: Mga Kwento ng Lansangan ABS-CBN [23]
2009–10; 2013–17 Umagang Kay Ganda
2012–17 Pinoy True Stories Hiwaga, RealiTV and Red Alert host
2017 Philippine Seas Host GMA Network
2017–present i-Witness
2018–present The Atom Araullo Specials [24]
2021–present State of the Nation Anchor GMA News TV / GTV

Radio

edit

Online

edit
Year Title Source
2018 GMA ONE Online Exclusives: Adulting with Atom Araullo [25]
2019–21 Stand For Truth [26]

Film

edit
Year Title Role Notes Film Production Source
2018 Citizen Jake Jacobo "Jake" Herrera Jr. Billed as "Featuring" Cinema Artists Philippines [27]

Awards and nominations

edit
Year Award Giving Body Category Nominated Work Results Source
2008 22nd PMPC Star Awards for TV Best Public Affairs Program Host Y Speak Nominated [citation needed]
2013 27th PMPC Star Awards for TV Best Morning Show Host (shared with Umagang Kay Ganda host) Umagang Kay Ganda Nominated [citation needed]
Best Documentary Program Host Hiwaga Nominated [citation needed]
2014 28th PMPC Star Awards for TV Nominated [citation needed]
2015 USTv Awards Student Leaders’ Choice for TV Personality Won [28]
Platinum Stallion Media Awards Most Trusted Field Reporter Award TV Patrol Won [citation needed]
2016 USTv Awards Student Leaders’ Choice of TV Personality Won [29]
Students' Choice of Social Media Personality Won [30]
Golden Laurel: Lycean Choice Media Awards Best Morning Show Host Umagang Kay Ganda Won [31]
2017 2017 New York Festivals World's Best TV and Films Documentary: Warmer (Climate Change) Won
(bronze medal)
[32]
Gandingan Awards Best Public Service Program Host Red Alert Won [33]
2017 PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Morning Show Host (shared with Umagang Kay Ganda host) Umagang Kay Ganda Won [34]

References

edit
  1. ^ Welcome "Atom Araullo moved GMA News and Public Affairs". Archived from the original on July 20, 2023. Retrieved September 21, 2017..GMA Network. September 21, 2017. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
  2. ^ Bonoan, Reggee (March 21, 2018). "ALL KAPS talent management agency, umabot na sa 28 ang mga alaga". Balita (in Filipino). Archived from the original on March 6, 2019. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  3. ^ "UNHCR - Atom Araullo". UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. Archived from the original on February 9, 2019. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  4. ^ "Atom Araullo appointed UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador". UNHCR. February 4, 2019. Archived from the original on February 9, 2019. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  5. ^ "Karen Davila, Anthony Taberna get stars at Eastwood Walk of Fame". ABS-CBN News. November 15, 2017. Archived from the original on November 20, 2017. Retrieved November 24, 2017.
  6. ^ Purnell, Kristofer (October 5, 2022). "Who is Zen Hernandez, Atom Araullo's rumored new girlfriend?". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on October 5, 2022. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  7. ^ Malasig, Jeline (October 26, 2022). "Fact check: Atom Araullo named after August Twenty One Movement?". Interaksyon. Archived from the original on October 26, 2022. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  8. ^ "What Atom Araullo learned from his father". ABS-CBN News. June 21, 2015. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
  9. ^ "On the Spot: Atom Araullo". August 12, 2010. Archived from the original on January 31, 2019. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
  10. ^ Teves, Maria Althea (March 15, 2009). "Atom Araullo: From physics to activism to journalism". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on February 4, 2011. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
  11. ^ a b Jarloc, Glaiza (September 22, 2017). "Atom Araullo returns to GMA Network". Sun Star Manila. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
  12. ^ "ABS-CBN News reporter Atom Araullo resigns from reportorial duties". Manila Bulletin. August 27, 2016. Archived from the original on July 20, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  13. ^ "Atom Araullo bids goodbye to ABS-CBN". SunStar. September 15, 2017. Archived from the original on March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
  14. ^ Siazon, Rachelle (November 5, 2017). "Atom Araullo 'very hands on' in shooting first Kapuso documentary Philippine Seas". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  15. ^ Tariman, Pablo A. (April 15, 2018). "Life beneath the bridge & other docu discoveries". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on April 22, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  16. ^ Tunac, Hermes Joy (October 20, 2022). "'The Atom Araullo Specials: Munting Bisig' wins silver award at the Cannes Corporate Media and TV Awards". MSN. Archived from the original on October 30, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  17. ^ "Atom Araullo at Maki Pulido, papalit kay Jessica Soho sa State of The Nation". PEP.ph. January 1, 2021. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
  18. ^ "Atom to make movie debut in new Mike de Leon film". ABS-CBN News. ABS-CBN. November 22, 2016. Archived from the original on March 8, 2019. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  19. ^ Lo, Ricky (March 27, 2017). "The 'baptism' of Atom Araullo". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on September 25, 2018. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
  20. ^ Parungao, Regina Mae (July 10, 2017). "Atom Araullo: From journalist to actor". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  21. ^ Anarcon, James Patrick (September 20, 2017). "Atom Araullo: From Kapuso to Kapamilya to Kapuso again?". PEP.ph. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  22. ^ "Introducing the new Breakfast Barkada". Philstar.com. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  23. ^ Mata, Paul (September 25, 2009). "Atom Araullo rekindles his love for storytelling via Kalye". PEP.ph. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  24. ^ Barameda, Joe. "Favorite ng Kapuso... Atom may bagong docu program naman!". Philstar.com. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
  25. ^ Tomada, Nathalie. "Atom Araullo talks adulting". Philstar.com. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  26. ^ Gabinete, Jojo (January 6, 2021). "Joseph Morong, aminadong na-pressure sa pagpalit kay Atom Araullo bilang anchor ng Stand For Truth". PEP.ph. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  27. ^ Parungao, Regina Mae (July 10, 2017). "Atom Araullo: From journalist to actor". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on September 21, 2017. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
  28. ^ "11th USTV Awards highlights 'role of social media'". April 17, 2015. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  29. ^ "Abs-Cbn is Thomasians' Network of Choice at 11th USTV Awards". ABS-CBN News. April 20, 2015.
  30. ^ Santos, Tomas U. (April 28, 2016). "USTv Awards tackle May 9 polls". Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  31. ^ "ABS-CBN naghakot an awards sa Golden Laurel" [ABS-CBN sweeps awards in the Golden Laurel]. Pilipino Star Ngayon. The Philippine Star. July 23, 2016. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  32. ^ "Atom's documentary gets bronze at New York Festivals". ABS-CBN News. April 29, 2017. Archived from the original on September 21, 2017. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
  33. ^ "ABS-CBN wins big at UP's Gandingan Awards". ABS-CBN News. May 3, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
  34. ^ Vice Ganda dedicates Star Awards win to Hashtags' Franco ABS-CBN News
edit