Zaijian Jaranilla

Zaijian Godsick Lara Jaranilla (born August 23, 2001) is a Filipino actor and model. He began his career as a model before transitioning into show business actor both as child performer. He rose to fame for his role as Santino in the Christian drama series, May Bukas Pa (2009-2013).

Early life and education

Zaijian Godsick Lara Jaranilla was born on August 23, 2001, in Gloria, Oriental Mindoro, to Glendelle Lara Jaranilla and Zenon Louis Jaranilla and grew up in Quezon City, Metro Manila. He is the eldest of three siblings, staying primarily with his father and younger brother Zymic Jaranilla with a mother was separated from the family in 2006 and secondarily since 2025 with the Atayde family. Jaranilla regularly spends vacations locally in various provinces most notably Boac, Marinduque, and internationally abroad since 2009.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

He began his formal education at General Roxas Elementary School in Quezon City. He was scheduled to enroll at Angelicum College for the second grade, but due to acting commitments, he temporarily continued his education through homeschooling and programs for gifted students before resuming regular schooling there in 2010. Jaranilla continued his education at Angelicum College while pursuing an acting career, remaining at the school for eight years and completing his sophomore year of junior high school in 2018.^[6][7]

Due to increasing professional commitments, he discontinued regular schooling after completing his sophomore year. To continue his education, he took and passed the Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEPT) administered by the Department of Education, which allowed him to proceed directly to senior high school. In 2023, Jaranilla completed his studies in Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) strand at Colegio de San Juan de Dios in San Rafael, Bulacan.^[2][8][9]

Career

2004–2008: Start of overall performance career as child performer and model

Jaranilla was discovered by talent manager Bryan Ancheta of RDB Talents and Events Management in 2004, marking his debut in the overall performance industry as a child performer. His grandmother, Maria Dulce Jaranilla, who worked with the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society Foundation, Inc., accompanied him after a doctor expressed interest in having him appear in commercials.

He made his first appearance in the McDonald's Good Kuya/Tweens commercial in 2006, playing the role as Paolo, a younger brother of Carlo Lacana who accused of drawing of the latter's assignment, later grabs a toy from Lacana until their mother stopped him from grabbing, and playing around using the said toy afterwards.^[10][11] This was followed by a Lactum MTV (With Supers) commercial in 2007, and a TV ad for Tide in 2008.^[12][13] Together, they went to an audition in Makati, which proved successful.^[12]

2008–present: Showbiz career with allegiances at Philippine media companies and freelancing at indie productions

Jaranilla then joined showbiz sector after four years as a performer in 2008 upon signing with ABS-CBN Corporation as his primary media company allegiance under Star Magic while also allowing to have secondary allegiance with other companies by having him work with and appear on them conditionally and concurrently through an agreement and permission between both parties which began two years later in December 2010 which obtained him an actor status. Actors that he worked or shown support with outside ABS-CBN initially as a child performer are the hosts of Eat Bulaga! including Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon and Ryan Agoncillo who is the final guest cast on his breakthrough drama May Bukas Pa.

Jaranilla became a regular performer on the Sunday variety show ASAP and made several appearances on ABS-CBN, GMA Network, and TV5 programs, with initially as child performer which are It's Showtime, ABS-CBN Christmas Special, Maalaala Mo Kaya, Eat Bulaga!, Minute to Win It, The Singing Bee, and Kapamilya, Deal or No Deal, with the first four mentioned were carried over throughout his teen and adult performer era.^[2]

2008–present: ABS-CBN as primary media company allegiance

After being signed at ABS-CBN under Star Magic as primary allegiance, he made his first ABS-CBN and showbiz appearance as a guest on the children's sketch comedy show Goin' Bulilit.^[14][15] That same year, he also appeared in the anthology series Mars Ravelo's Komiks Presents.^[16]

Jaranilla portrayed the lead role of Santino Guillermo in May Bukas Pa, the highest-rated Philippine television program of all time and was announced on late 2008.^[17] His portrayal of Santino, a young boy who encounters Jesus Christ, earned him widespread recognition and made him a household name in the Philippines. The series marked the debut of his signature praying and bowing pose both on working showbiz and non-working personal and family life.^[18][2][19] The series and its cast, including Jaranilla, received various awards and accolades.^{[20][21][22][23]}

In 2010, Jaranilla voiced the character Otep, a fish, in Agua Bendita, the immediate successor to May Bukas Pa, another religious-themed series, and predecessor to the fantasy-adventure drama Noah in post-TV Patrol timeslot until the latter's premiere in July 2010.^[24] Noah, alongside Piolo Pascual and Jodi Sta. Maria, replaced Agua Bendita in its timeslot when it moved to the second primetime slot, aired between the original cut and extended versions of May Bukas Pa, and lasted until February 4, 2011. For his role as Eli/Jacob Perez in Noah, Jaranilla wore a wig starting in June 2010 to portray longer hair, which he kept until July 2011, five months after the series' end.^[25][26] Later that year, he voiced the character Nico in RPG Metanoia, his first animated film.^[24][27]

ABS-CBN aired two specials in connection to Pope John Paul II leading to sainthood, with the first being which are Banál on May 22, 2011, where Jaranilla reprised his role as Santino to narrate about his beatification and then cumulated with the canonization three years later and after the December 5, 2013 end of extended version of May Bukas Pa on April 27, 2014, named John Paul II and John XXIII Mga Bagong Santo: The ABS-CBN News Special Coverage with it reported on TV Patrol Weekend that followed.^[28] Jaranilla and Jaime Fabregas, who portrayed Father Anthony, presented the life of Pope John Paul II and his significance for Filipinos on the former. On November of that year, he appeared in the Christmas-themed TV series Ikaw ay Pag-Ibig alongside fellow child stars Mutya Orquia, Louise Abuel, and Manabat.^[29] The series aired until January 2012. ^[30][31][32]

In 2012, Jaranilla took on the lead role in the melodrama series Lorenzo's Time, alongside Carmina Villarroel.^[33][34] He portrayed the titular character, a boy with progeria. Members of the production staff described Jaranilla as a "boy wonder" and referred to him as a natural and a "born actor" on set.^[35]

In 2013, he starred in the TV series Juan dela Cruz as Tonton.^[36] His character Tonton was a juvenile and young aswang.^[16][37] Jaranilla also portrayed the role of Brian in the Maalaala Mo Kaya episode, Alitaptap.^[38]

In March 2014, Jaranilla also appeared in the TV series Ikaw Lamang as Young Samuel Severino, the younger version of Coco Martin's character,^[16] marking a brief reunion with Martin after their time together in Juan dela Cruz.^[39]

He starred in Hawak-Kamay as Raymond "Emong" Agustin in July 2014.^[40][41] Jaranilla turned 13 during the production of the series, officially marking his transition into a teenage actor.^[2] This marked Hawak-Kamay as the first series he worked on as a teen performer.

In November 2014, Jaranilla expressed interest in taking on more teen-oriented roles following his work in the family drama Hawak Kamay.^[42] He stated that he was ready to accept more mature projects offered by ABS-CBN.^[43]

In 2015, he appeared in several episodes of Maalaala Mo Kaya. That same year, he starred in the film Hamog, playing Rashid, a Muslim boy who spends 48 hours trying to seek help for his Christian friend who died under tragic circumstances.^[44] Hamog was one of the 12 official entries in the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP).^[44] Jaranilla's performance received critical praise, and the film won the Outstanding Artistic Achievement Golden Goblet Award at the 2016 Shanghai International Film Festival.^[44] His role also earned him his first Best Actor nomination at the Cinema One Originals Awards.^[45] Hamog was also screened at the 15th New York Asian Film Festival.^[45] In the same period, Jaranilla returned to television with a minor role in FPJ's Ang Probinsyano as Cocoy Amaba, marking his third reunion with Martin.^[46] He also appeared as Young Macoy in the television drama-romantic series, The Story of Us, in early 2016.^[16]

In 2018, Jaranilla appeared in Bagani, portraying Liksi,^[47] and starred alongside Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil.^[48] In 2019, he acted in his first digital series, Story of My Life, produced by Big Reveal Digital and streamed on iWantTV.^[49][50] Jaranilla also joined the list of Filipino guest actors in the American crime drama Almost Paradise, appearing in the episode titled Lone Wolf.^[51] He later starred in Ang sa Iyo ay Akin.^[52]

Jaranilla returned to Bacolor Church in June 2019 as part of ABS-CBN's year-long 65th anniversary celebration. The 2009–2010 Christmas ID Star ng Pasko was used in two station IDs from the 2010s to 2020s: Ngayong Pasko Magniningning Ang Pilipino (lit. 'This Christmas, the Filipinos will Shine')^[53] (2010–2011), and Family is Forever (2019–2020).^[54] The 2010–2011 ID was linked to May Bukas Pa, which was the highest rating show on ABS-CBN for the period of February 2009 until Mara Clara on February 3, 2011. The 2019–2020 ID was part of the network's 65th anniversary from 2018 to 2019.^[55] Both featured Jaranilla, highlighting May Bukas Pa as the top-rated show on Philippine television since the nationwide TV ratings system was introduced in 2009. The Star ng Pasko ID remains notable since its release on November 4, 2009.^[56] It is his practice every year after the show's production ended on February 5, 2010, to film tour at the church.^[57]

"Zaijian Jaranilla marvels with his brilliance in taking his character not only understandable or comprehensible, but a real person with whom viewers would share a deep emotional connection...He gave a performance that was deeply felt and riveting"

In 2020, Jaranilla expressed interest in portraying a gay character and had at least two films lined up.^[58] He took on the challenge of playing a gay character in the coming-of-age comedy Boyette: Not a Girl Yet, directed by Jumbo Albano and produced by Star Cinema.^[59][60] In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Jaranilla explained, "...I agreed to do the project because I wanted to change my image. I want people to know that I can portray different roles. Boyette has given me an opportunity to prove myself to people."^[60] He acknowledged that his breakout role as the orphan boy Santino in the 2009–2013 inspirational teleserye May Bukas Pa had a lasting impact on his image. However, he was able to move on from that role work-wise after the series ended its extended run on December 5, 2013, stating that all of the show's contents were already originally aired while keeping its characteristics in a long-term.^[61][60] Jaranilla emphasized that Boyette would give his fans the chance to see him in a different light both on working and viewing aspects.^[62]

In February 2020, Jaranilla was interviewed about the comparisons between his responses when he portrayed Santino and his answers as a grown-up and teenage actor in a segment titled "Same Interview, Ten Years Apart.".^[63]

While Jaranilla already had willingness to work on other media companies outside ABS-CBN especially after the shutdown of the latter's own free television due to broadcast franchise loss and its resulting collaborations from January 24, 2021 as part of his versatility, he repeatedly declared and clarified since May 5, 2020 and continued when he transitioned from teen to adult performer on August 23, 2021 that ABS-CBN under Star Magic still remains as his primary allegiance media company and not exchange that status to others as such his instances and experiences of working on other companies are only secondary and made conditionally. It was reflected three years later when he renewed his contract with ABS-CBN and Star Magic on November 15, 2023, alongside JM de Guzman, which continued their primary allegiance with the company and remaining under the said talent agency. ABS-CBN management consisting of chairman Martin López, president and CEO and ABS-CBN Studios executive producer Carlo Katigbak, CFO Ricardo B. Tan Jr. and ABS-CBN Studios and Star Magic head Laurenti Dyogi, and talent managers Cris B. Tapang and Portia Dimla were present at their contract signing.^{[64][65][66][67][68]}

In July 2021, he starred in the Maalaala Mo Kaya (MMK) 30th anniversary special, Loving 2 Care, in the episode titled "Dialysis", alongside Nonie Buencamino. Directed by Jerry Lopez-Sineneng, the episode featured Jaranilla portraying a nurse battling chronic kidney disease.^[69] His performance received generally positive reviews, with critics noting his maturity and growth as an actor.^[36]

In 2022, Jaranilla portrayed Gio Illustre in The Broken Marriage Vow, a remake of the British series Doctor Foster.^[70] This marked his first series role as an adult performer. He was awarded Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the Asian Academy Creative Awards for his performance in the series and represented the Philippines at the awards ceremony in December 2022.^[71][72] His portrayal in the series made him realize the importance of self-love.^[73]

Following The Broken Marriage Vow, Jaranilla was cast as Ding, the younger brother and sidekick to the titular Filipino character, Darna, from August 15, 2022, to February 10, 2023, in what became his biggest role to date.^[74][75] During the first week of the show, Jaranilla received praise from critics for his acting skills.^[76] As the series aired at 8:00 pm ABS-CBN primetime slot between the two long-running action series of Coco Martin which are Ang Probinsyano and Batang Quiapo, it marked his return as adult to the said and showbiz breakthrough timeslot that began with the cut version of May Bukas Pa 12–13 years earlier after eight years since Hawak Kamay when he was recently transitioned from child to teen performer.

From August 28, 2023, to August 30, 2024, Jaranilla reunited with Andrea Brillantes and Manabat to star in ABS-CBN's mystery thriller and youth drama duology, Senior High and High Street.^[77] He portrayed Tim Castro in the series, an initial boyfriend to Manabat's character, Roxy, and student, and later became a police officer. Jaranilla received critical and public praise for his performance.^[78]

In 2025, Jaranilla had two appearances on Rainbow Rumble, the first game show to have his appearance after the shutdown of ABS-CBN free-to-air television five years earlier in 2020 and as adult performer, on the episodes "Child Stars (Gen Z Child Stars)" and "Sylvia and Friends" (with the latter promoting I'mPerfect.

From January 18 to April 24, 2026, Jaranilla played the role of Matteo on The Silent Noise, with production from the said date of January to March 26, 2026, is part of his 3-months work, stay, and frequent return to Morong, Bataan and Zambales, as such, together with Pampanga (Angeles City), again highlighting those three provinces after 13–17 years with May Bukas Pa and Noah from February 2, 2009, to December 5, 2013, during his child performer period. While playing the role, he struggled with Filipino Sign Language (FSL) due to him first time on doing both in his life and 22 years in the working industry requiring assistance from their mentors FSL deaf instructors for practice to get the scene as one mistake will make production of those (or even the series) be cancelled not by the director Onat Diaz but by the instructors that the production staff has been collaborated to, as shown as he has only less lines to do so during the series' production. The blue carpet, premiere, and media conference of the series were made on March 10, 2026, at Gateway Mall Cinema 12 in Quezon City where many celebrities attended the event as well as the ABS-CBN management which are Carlo Katigbak and COO Cory Vidanes, and ABS-CBN Studios and Star Magic head Laurenti Dyogi. The private closing party consisting of the casts and crew, however, was held at Casablanca Hotel Condominium Resort and Vasco's Hotel and Restaurant in Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Olongapo, Zambales on March 25, 2026, just beside and near the boundary between Zambales (Olongapo City) and Bataan (Morong) which are two of the three provinces that served as the series' main production locations. The series was previewed at Where Stories Begin event in April 2026 at The Fifth at Rockwell in Makati.^[79][80][81]

2010–present: Other media companies as secondary company allegiances

Being allowed to work and have appearances on other media companies through an agreement and permission of his primary company ABS-CBN with them, he appeared on GMA Network's 24 Oras at an announcement of Most Favorite Child Personality at the 2010 Lingkod TV Awards for May Bukas Pa on GMA Network's 24 Oras on December 2010. Four months later on April 23, 2011, he made his first on-screen film appearance on Pak! Pak! My Dr. Kwak!, the related film to May Bukas Pa, alongside Vic Sotto and Bea Alonzo, playing Angelito, an angel who was expelled from heaven.^[82] Jaranilla appeared on GMA's noontime show Eat Bulaga! to participate in the segment "Pinoy Henyo" alongside co-actors Xyriel Manabat and Bea Alonzo while promoting the movie. His appearances on 24 Oras and Eat Bulaga! marked the first appearance and working stint outside his primary ABS-CBN, respectively.

In July 2019, Jaranilla made his second working collaboration with GMA Network after eight years through a public service announcement supporting Shayne Sava of StarStruck. He encouraged fans to also support for her to become an Ultimate Female Survivor of the show.

Since the collaboration of ABS-CBN with other media companies since January 24, 2021 with TV5 following the shutdown of its free-to-air network, his secondary allegiance with other companies increased while retaining primary allegiance with ABS-CBN under Star Magic which continued to his adult performer era from August 23, 2021. As such, ABS-CBN-produced programs with him allowed to be aired on TV5 and feature on its news coverages, attend TV5 events which is the TV5 Kapatid Karavan in October 31, 2023 at Robinsons Lipa City and appear in non-ABS-CBN shows on TV5 such as his return on Eat Bulaga! on December 17, 2025, and GMA Network from December 18, 2025 like Family Feud and Fast Talk with Boy Abunda (as trailer clips).^{[83][84][85][86][87]}

From July to his 25th birthday on August 23, 2026, Jaranilla portrayed the role as Dr. Patrick Valdez (different from his previous character on Midnight Girls), a pathologist, on Wishdate: Unchanging Glass of Wish 107.5. The concert was made at Smart Araneta Coliseum and acting was made both on set and live.

2024–present: Indie freelancing

On December 14, 2024, Jaranilla began his stint on non-ABS-CBN and independent productions upon signing with Blackfire Entertainment Film and Event Production for the production of the film Guryon.

On May 31, 2025, Jaranilla made his first indie series Si Sol at Si Luna as Sol de Dios, a photographer and film critic who falls in love with Luna (Jane Oineza). The series consists of 13 episodes and lasted until August 23, 2025, exactly at his 24th birthday. Also on that same year, he appeared on indie films The Last Beergin and I'mPerfect as Isaac and Ryan, respectively. The former role is one of the five strangers feeling that God had abandoned them and ended up drinking beer while the latter featuring Down syndrome artists Earl Amaba and Krystel Go as Ryan, the younger brother of Amaba's character.^[78] I'mPerfect won Best Picture and Best Ensemble, with Jaranilla himself nominated as Best Supporting Actor and Supporting Movie Actor of the Year from December 2025 to January 2026. He also portrayed as Nate/Nathaniel Tan on Last Online: A Player Short Film on October 28, 2025.

Jaranilla portrayed priest character roles on the two indie films and related to May Bukas Pa Rhoel Gallardo and Sandro on Seeds of Peace and Utoy Story, respectively. Both were concurrently with The Silent Noise production and release from March 18 to April 24, 2026, and the former was released on March while the latter is yet to be released.^[88]

After the ABS-CBN-produced The Silent Noise, and two indie films Seeds of Peace and Utoy Story ended production on all with release of episodes for the first mentioned, he played the role as Patrick, the son of Jodi Sta. Maria who is being talked or communicated to, on Midnight Girls produced by TJAV Productions set at Japan. The movie underwent premiere night with the casts on May 11 at SM Megamall and then promoted on the 1,596th episode of Family Feud on May 12, 2026 played against the Garcia Team, and Jaranilla himself made film tourism by spending vacation with the Atayde family at the said country being the film's set on June 2026 for the 24th birthday of Gela Atayde who attended its premiere a month earlier and has the same age as Zaijian for two months and three days from June 20 to August 23 and the family's Father's Day 2026 celebration.^[89][90]

He will portray as Berto on his second indie series Crawlers after Dark, a smiling miner who lives for his family until his death from the police. The series' story conference was held on May 13, 2026, at Lancaster Hotel in Mandaluyong and will be produced by Z Studios Productions.

Other ventures

Endorsements

Jaranilla started out as a model.^[12] After signing with ABS-CBN and its talent agency Star Magic, Jaranilla became a brand endorser for several companies. He endorsed the brand Bench from 2009 to 2012 and 2025, and Moose Gear from 2012 to 2016. He also appeared in campaigns for Globe Telecom (2009–2010), various Nestlé products (2009–2011), Argentina Andale Hotdog (2011), Converse, and Casino Plus (2025). In 2009, he was featured in a television commercial for the real estate development Morningfields at Carmeltown.^[91]

Advocacy and philanthropy

In 2009, Jaranilla publicly advocated for Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 4, which aims to reduce child mortality. He urged both candidates and voters to support this goal, which sought to reduce the mortality rate of children under five years old by two-thirds, between 1990 and 2015.^[92]

On November 4, 2009, the Bro, Ikaw ang Star ng Pasko campaign was launched with the release of ABS-CBN's Christmas station ID and the lighting of an 18-foot parol. The event was attended by ABS-CBN executives, including chairman Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III, president Charo Santos-Concio, and ABS-CBN talents, including Jaranilla. The campaign, which involved contributions from various ABS-CBN departments, divisions, and subsidiaries, aimed to unite the network's employees with the shared goal of bringing joy to Filipinos and encouraging them to embrace the Christmas spirit, particularly following the damage caused by tropical storms Ondoy and Pepeng. The planning for the Bro, Ikaw ang Star ng Pasko campaign began as early as June, with teams from Sales, Marketing, Creative Communications Management (CCM), Licensing, Production, and Property presenting ideas to a leadership committee that included Channel 2 head Cory V. Vidanes and department heads. Vidanes suggested combining several of these concepts, including Marketing's company-wide Christmas tree lighting, Licensing's Parol ni Bro, CCM's station ID and tagline, a Christmas bazaar, and the Win sa Bituin viewers’ promo, into one cohesive campaign.^[93]

In 2010, Jaranilla took part in ABS-CBN's “Kapit Bisig sa Ilog Pasig” project, an environmental awareness campaign led by the ABS-CBN Foundation and environmental advocate Gina Lopez.^[94] The campaign, directed by Brillante Mendoza,^[95] aimed to promote the seven-year clean-up effort for the Pasig River, which had become heavily polluted.^[96] Jaranilla appeared in infomercials alongside other ABS-CBN talents including Coco Martin, Kim Atienza, Karen Davila, and Efren Peñaflorida.^[95]

In April 2011, he appeared on Eat Bulaga! aimed to promote Pak! Pak! My Dr. Kwak! and donate the prize money to Silid-kaalaman, the show's Library Project for underdeveloped schools in the Philippines.

In 2022, ABS-CBN and Star Magic launched the "Tulong-Tulong sa Pag-Ahon: Isang Daan sa Pagtutulungan" campaign to seek financial support for survivors of Typhoon Odette.^[97] Jaranilla, along with other celebrities, participated in sports and online gaming events to raise sponsorships and donations.^[97] Through this campaign, the ABS-CBN Foundation was able to deliver 584 home repair kits, provide food packs to 207,649 families in Palawan, and parts of Visayas and Mindanao, and restore the livelihoods of fishermen by supplying boats and other essential resources.^[97][98]

Through his family's appearance on GMA Network's Family Feud in December 2025, they won 20,000 pesos for the charity Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, Inc., an association that gives support to persons with down syndrome. It is in line of the film I'mPerfect, on which Zaijian is part of the film's cast.

Personal life

In 2019, he participated in a Mobile Legends: Bang Bang celebrity tournament organized by Star Magic, where he was named Most Valuable Player (MVP).^[99][100]

Career credits

Mass media career

Studio albums and music video

Non-mass media announcements

Accolades