Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Aug 8, 2026

Atom Araullo

Alfonso Tomas "Atom" Pagaduan Araullo is a Filipino broadcast journalist. 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.

Last revised
Aug 8, 2026
Read time
≈ 8 min
Length
1,877 w
Citations
38
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Atom Araullo
Araullo in 2019
Born
Alfonso Tomas Pagaduan Araullo

(1982-10-19) October 19, 1982
Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Alma materUniversity of the Philippines Diliman, (BS)
Occupations
  • Broadcast journalist
  • television presenter
Years active1993–present
Employers
AgentALL KAPS Talent Management Agency2

Alfonso Tomas "Atom" Pagaduan Araullo (Tagalog: [ʔaˈɾaʊljɔ]; born October 19, 1982) is a Filipino broadcast journalist. 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.34

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

Alfonso Tomas Pagaduan Araullo was born on October 19, 1982,67 the youngest child and only son of Miguel (nicknamed "Mike")8 and Carol Araullo (née Pagaduan).9 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.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

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 in 2009 source ↗

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

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.1114 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 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.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 retire at the end of 2020.17

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.18

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.192021 In 2025, he released his first book, titled A View From The Ground, an account of his experiences as a journalist.22

Personal life

In November 2025, Aurullo admitted that he is in a long-term committed relationship with girlfriend Zen Hernandez.23

Filmography

Television

Year Title Notes Source
1992–2002 5 and Up Host
2004 24 Oras ATOMic Sports host 24
2004–06 KNN: Kabataan News Network Host 25
2006 Basta Sports
2006–07 Breakfast
2008–09 Kalye: Mga Kwento ng Lansangan 26
2009–10; 2013–17 Umagang Kay Ganda
2012–17 Pinoy True Stories Hiwaga, RealiTV and Red Alert host
2017 Philippine Seas Host
2017–present i-Witness
2018–present The Atom Araullo Specials 27
2021–present State of the Nation Anchor

Radio

Online

Year Title Source
2018 GMA ONE Online Exclusives: Adulting with Atom Araullo 28
2019–21 Stand For Truth 29

Film

Year Title Role Notes Source
2018 Citizen Jake Jacobo "Jake" Herrera Jr. Billed as "Featuring" 30

Awards and nominations

Year Award giving body Category Nominated work Results Source
2008 22nd PMPC Star Awards for TV Best Public Affairs Program Host Y Speak Nominated
2013 27th PMPC Star Awards for TV Best Morning Show Host (shared with Umagang Kay Ganda host) Umagang Kay Ganda Nominated
Best Documentary Program Host Hiwaga Nominated
2014 28th PMPC Star Awards for TV Nominated
2015 USTv Awards Student Leaders’ Choice for TV Personality Won 31
Platinum Stallion Media Awards Most Trusted Field Reporter Award TV Patrol Won
2016 USTv Awards Student Leaders’ Choice of TV Personality Won 32
Students' Choice of Social Media Personality Won 33
Golden Laurel: Lycean Choice Media Awards Best Morning Show Host Umagang Kay Ganda Won 34
2017 2017 New York Festivals World's Best TV and Films Documentary: Warmer (Climate Change) Won
(bronze medal)		 35
Gandingan Awards Best Public Service Program Host Red Alert Won 36
2017 PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Morning Show Host (shared with Umagang Kay Ganda host) Umagang Kay Ganda Won 37
References

References

  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. 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. Retrieved March 8, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  14. Siazon, Rachelle (November 5, 2017). "Atom Araullo 'very hands on' in shooting first Kapuso documentary Philippine Seas". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved March 7, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  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. Daguno Bersamina, Kristine (December 14, 2024). "Atom Araullo wins P2M damages in red-tagging case vs Badoy, Celiz". The Philippine Star. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  19. "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.
  20. 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.
  21. Parungao, Regina Mae (July 10, 2017). "Atom Araullo: From journalist to actor". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  22. Jade Veronique Yap (September 16, 2025). "What inspired Atom Araullo to write his first book 'A View From The Ground?' Kapuso journalist answers". GMA News. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
  23. "Atom Araullo admits long-term relationship with 'public' girlfriend". PhilStar. November 30, 2025. Retrieved April 8, 2026.
  24. Anarcon, James Patrick (September 20, 2017). "Atom Araullo: From Kapuso to Kapamilya to Kapuso again?". PEP.ph. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  25. "Introducing the new Breakfast Barkada". Philstar.com. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  26. Mata, Paul (September 25, 2009). "Atom Araullo rekindles his love for storytelling via Kalye". PEP.ph. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  27. Barameda, Joe. "Favorite ng Kapuso... Atom may bagong docu program naman!". Philstar.com. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
  28. Tomada, Nathalie. "Atom Araullo talks adulting". Philstar.com. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  29. 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.
  30. 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.
  31. "11th USTV Awards highlights 'role of social media'". April 17, 2015. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  32. "Abs-Cbn is Thomasians' Network of Choice at 11th USTV Awards". ABS-CBN News. April 20, 2015.
  33. Santos, Tomas U. (April 28, 2016). "USTv Awards tackle May 9 polls". Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  34. "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.
  35. "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.
  36. "ABS-CBN wins big at UP's Gandingan Awards". ABS-CBN News. May 3, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
  37. Vice Ganda dedicates Star Awards win to Hashtags' Franco ABS-CBN News
External links