Alfonso Tomas "Atom" Pagaduan Araullo is a Filipino journalist, model, television presenter, triathlete, and occasional actor. 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
Atom Araullo was born as Alfonso Tomas Pagaduan Araullo on October 19, 1982, the youngest child and only son of Miguel and Carol Araullo. He has an older sister, Alessandra "Sandra" Araullo-Gonzales, who is also 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 the Ateneo de Manila, and his high school education at the Philippine Science High School. Araullo graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in applied physics from the University of the Philippines. There he became a member of the League of Filipino Students, as well as the chairperson of the Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights - 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, Atom Araullo was part of 5 and Up. He also used to host the Studio 23 morning show Breakfast, The National Quiz Bee, and Probe Media Foundation Inc.'s Kabataan XpressBasta Sports, ''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 in late August 2016. He explained that he wanted to explore opportunities and pursue other interest, debunking the rumor that he opted for resignation because of his strong opinions.
2017-present: Return to GMA Network
On September 15, 2017, Araullo left ABS-CBN after over a decade when it was announced on Umagang Kay Ganda. On September 21, 2017, Araullo returned to GMA Network, to focus more on documentaries. He is currently hosting The Atom Araullo Specials, a monthly documentary which focuses on several social issues of the country.
Acting career
Araullo made his acting debut with a lead role in a noircrime drama filmCitizen Jake directed by Mike De Leon in 2018, acting as a son of corrupt senator-turned-citizen journalist Jacobo "Jake" Herrera Jr.
