As the primetime teleserye May Bukas Pa continues to dominate TV ratings, the show has also made a new child star in the person of Zaijan Jaranilla, the boy who plays the lead character Santino. Zaijan recently met up with members of the entertainment press who confessed that they are fans of his Santino character during the thanksgiving press conference of May Bukas Pa. Everyone was surprised to learn that Zaijan is not even aware that he is now one of TV’s hottest stars. “Nagsisimula pa lang naman po ako,” said Zaijan when asked about what he felt working with May Bukas Pa guest stars Gabby Concepcion, Susan Roces, KC Concepcion, and Lorna Tolentino.

But Zaijan is aware that so much has changed ever since May Bukas Pa earned a huge following across the country. “Hindi na po ako nakakapasyal sa mga mall. Minsan na lang po ako nakakapaglaro. Marami na pong nagpapa-picture sa akin.” Sometimes though, people confuse Zaijan with his TV character Santino, a boy who can speak to Jesus and can miraculously cure the sick. “Nung nagte-taping po kami sa Bacolor may lumapit sa aking lalaki. Hinawakan niya po ako tapos sabi niya, ‘Santino, pagalingin mo ako.’ Pero para pong lasing e,” Zaijan revealed, sending reporters at the presscon into fits of laughter.

Zaijan started his career doing TV commercials before he got his first big break playing the young John Prats in last year’s Komiks Presents Mars Ravelo’s Tiny Tony. Seven-year-old Zaijan is an incoming grade two student whose favorite subject is English. While Zaijan has friends in school, he spends most of his time on the set of May Bukas Pa so he gets to bond with co-stars Dominic Ochoa, Lito Pimentel, and Rayver Cruz.

Zaijan’s 28-year-old father Zenon frequently accompanies him during shoots. Now separated from his wife, Zenon said that he still treats Zaijan like an ordinary kid. “Ganun pa rin ang trato namin sa kanya. Pinagagalitan pa rin namin. Minsan napapalo pa rin. Hindi namin inilalagay sa isip niya na artista na siya para hindi lumaki ‘yung ulo niya. Simpleng pamumuhay pa rin pero ang mahirap lang ‘yung oras. Malikot na bata si Zaijan. Takbo nang takbo. Mahilig maglaro ng video games, basta lang kapag 10 pm dapat tulog na siya.” Zaijan also has two younger brothers Zildjan and Zymec.

Zaijan reads the script usually with the help of his father or sometimes a member of the production staff. Production Manager Ethel Espiritu shared that the entire production team is impressed with the boy’s innate acting talent. “Surprisingly parang naturally talented si Zaijan. The last feedback I got from Direk Jerome Pobocan nakipagsabayan daw siya kay Lorna Tolentino. Alam ni Zaijan kung kailan ilalagay ‘yung tamang emotions.”

Zaijan still manages to enjoy mundane things like any ordinary kid would. During his free time on the set, he either plays with his PSP or goes to sleep. Zaijan loves eating spaghetti and Hawaiian-flavored pizza. At home, he still sleeps in the same room with his father and two brothers. So far, Zaijan’s major purchase using his May Bukas Pa earnings has been a 32-inch flat screen TV which he asked his father to buy for him. But for most of the time, Zaijan tries to be like just any regular kid.

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