Atom Araullo on not courting anyone during his high school, college years: 'Torpe eh'
Atom Araullo revealed he never courted anyone in high school and college because he used to be “torpe.”
Speaking with journalist Pia Arcangel on her podcast, the award-winning journalist opened up about his career and his personal life, saying he has always been an introvert.
Pia then asked, “Ang iniisip ko is, nu’ng high school ka, nu’ng college ka, pa’no ka manliligaw kung introvert ka?”
“Kaya nga hindi ako nanligaw eh,” he began. “Torpe eh.”
“'Yung ano, 'yung half ligaw, kunwari hindi talaga ligaw pero, 'yun na rin 'yun,” Atom said. “Uso sa mga Pinoy ‘yan e, ‘di ba actually ang dami ngang nagrereklamo diyan eh ‘yung hindi klaro sa intentions nila.”
“Ako guilty diyan eh. Guilty as charged,” he revealed, “especially when I was a lot younger in college.”
Atom went on that other than being a “torpe,” he didn’t have time to date as he was busy with his academics.
“At the same time, parang, dami ko rin ng mga ibang ginagawa eh, wala rin ako masyadong idle time. So, okay lang,” he continued.
Atom’s ‘dream girl’
When asked to describe his “dream girl,” Atom revealed he is attracted to people who are “very passionate” about something in life.
“I think, what I find attractive, especially, you know, at this stage of my life, 'yung mga tao na very passionate about something and it’s infectious. ‘Yung kilala na nila ‘yung sarili nila,” he shared.
He continued, “And people who are really kind. You get an understanding kung ano 'yung genuine kindness eh lalo na, kapag mas, you know, mas may edad ka na.”
“Hindi na 'yung beyond the facade or parang 'yung mga pakitang tao. You get an understanding for sino 'yung mga may true empathy, 'yung kahit mukhang masungit sa labas, parang 'yung nakatago 'yung, ano, 'yung pagiging pusong mamon, 'yung mga ganyan,” he added.
Atom shared he is also attracted to someone who is “curious about the world.”
“Feeling ko kasi 'pag ganun, ang daming pwedeng pag-usapan eh. Tapos ang daming pwedeng gawin together,” he explained.
Atom has long been linked to fellow journalist Zen Hernadez.
Dating speculations between the two started in 2021 when Zen posted a picture him and news anchor Pinky Webb in Balesin Island.
They also occasionally shares snaps of each other on Instagram. In 2023, they were spotted celebrating their birthdays together with fellow journalist Ryan Chua in Hong Kong. They have not confirmed nor denied the romance rumors since then.