20 years later, Atom Araullo gets his graduation moment with parents at UP Cebu

After skipping his own college graduation 20 years ago, Atom Araullo finally had his sablay moment at the University of the Philippines Cebu.

On Facebook, the Kapuso journalist revealed that he didn't attend his graduation ceremony in 2005 because "tinatamad lang talaga ako."

Admittedly, he failed to realize back then that the ceremony's significance was not just for him but for his parents.

"Ang hindi ko naisip noon, para rin sana ang araw na 'yon sa mga magulang nating ilang taon nagsakripisyo para maitawid ang pag-aaral natin," he wrote.

Two decades later, Atom made up for it by joining the 2025 graduating class of UP Cebu, not as a student but as the keynote speaker. And this time, he brought his parents along.

"Kaya kahapon, nang maanyayahan akong maging graduation speaker sa UP Cebu, isinama ko na sina Mama at Papa," he said.

"First time ko rin magsuot ng sablay—ang opisyal na academic costume ng UP. O 'di ba, parang nag-march na rin ako… 20 years delayed nga lang!" he added.

He ended the post with a warm thank you to the university and a powerful reminder to the graduates.

"Daghang salamat, University of the Philippines Cebu, sa pagkakataon,"he said. "At isang taos-pusong pagpupugay sa lahat ng nagsipagtapos. Paglingkuran ang bayan!"

Meanwhile, Jessica Soho also served as a keynote speaker at the 114th General Commencement Exercises of the University of the Philippines Diliman on Sunday.

Previously, Atom and Jessica were among the guest speakers at an industry roundtable organized by the Asian Academy of Creative Arts, where they shared their purpose as journalists and the importance of telling the stories of underprivileged and marginalized communities.

—Hermes Joy Tunac/MGP, GMA Integrated News