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Zaijian Jaranilla reacts to new gen leading man title: ‘Gusto ko lang po ‘yung ginagawa ko’

Article (news)

Josh Mercado

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1747614526983image1 (2).jpeg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Jane Oineza and Zaijian Jaranilla. <em>Photo by Josh Mercado</em></span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>The Kapamilya popular series &quot;May Bukas Pa&quot; surely propelled Zaijian Jaranilla to fame, for which he is grateful, and even after 16 years, the show is still associated with his name. </p><p>Fortunately, the fan base he built through the smash teleserye did not leave him, and it has developed and grown. He currently has over 130,000 Instagram followers and an incredible 1.4 million Facebook supporters.</p><p>“Ako, siyempre, sobrang malaking pasasalamat. Kasi ako, as an actor, hindi naman ako ‘yung ma-post. Hindi ako masyadong ma-social media, lalo na sa mga fans. Pero ‘pag nakikita ko ‘yung mga comments and ‘yung supporta nila sa akin, pasasalamat lang po talaga,” he spoke to ABS-CBN News about his rising fan following.</p><p>While there has been much discussion about him becoming a new generation leading man, Jaranilla has indicated that his main ambition is to improve his craft as an artist rather than becoming a big celebrity that the country will admire.</p><p>He told ABS-CBN News, “Parang ang hirap i-claim na ako ‘yung parang gino-groom nila (network) na parang [maging] big star. Parang sa akin naman po, gusto ko lang po ‘yung ginagawa ko. Wala po sa utak ko na gusto kong maging ganito, leading man, or maging big star. Mas doon lang ako sa craft ko. Mas gusto ko lang siya hasain lalo [through] sa paggawa-gawa ng mga ganitong role. And ‘yun po, masaya ako dahil nabibigyan ako ng oportunidad na gawin ‘yun.”</p><p>Meanwhile, Jaranilla recently attended the press conference for Puregold&#x27;s new digital series &quot;Si Sol at Si Luna&quot; at the World Trade Center, where his co-star Jane Oineza also appeared.</p><p>The two stars were all smiles as they addressed the viral clip from the trailer in which they were seen passionately kissing, saying that being brave enough to take on challenging roles was simply part of their work as artists.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:633px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1747614613764image2 (1).jpeg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:633px"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Jane Oineza and Zaijian Jaranilla. <em>Photo by Josh Mercado</em></span></span></span></div><p>In the Puregold digital series, Jaranilla portrays Sol, a film student working on his thesis whose life is transformed when he meets the devastated Luna (Oineza). As their paths cross, they must confront their complicated thoughts about desire, love, and loss, which are exacerbated by their age gap.</p><p>“Siguro po, mas naghahanap na rin ako ng... hindi na ‘yung usual po na ginagawa ko, na nakikita niyo rin. Basta po, siguro more on ganito na — love story or mas mature na ‘yung new role ko. Pero hindi ibig sabihin naman na ready na kaagad ako sa mga ganoon,” the lead actor spoke about his challenging role in the series.</p><p>He also responded to director Dolly Dulu&#x27;s comment that when she was drafting the script, he was already in her mind to play the character.</p><p>“Siyempre po, parang nakakataba ng puso dahil parang sinusulat pa lang ng director [ay] ako na agad ‘yung nakikita. Sabi ko rin po kay direk na wala akong nakikitang rason para tanggihan ‘yung offer niya sa akin na material. Sabi ko, game talaga. Sabi ko, game na,” he shared with ABS-CBN News.</p><p>When asked what kind of actor he is when he comes on set, he told ABS-CBN News, “Depende po roon sa bigat na hinihingi ng script. Kasi, for example po rito sa ‘Sol at Luna,’ mas, ano lang, mas literal lang sa script. Tapos palalawakin mo na lang ‘yung imagination kung paano mo siya iaatake. Pero siyempre, as an actor, as a professional, kahit anong role ay dapat ready ka, maliit man ‘yan o malaki. Kung ano ang ibigay sa&#x27;yo ay tanggapin mo.”</p><p>Jaranilla expressed gratitude for everything that is now happening in his career. He promises to perfect his craft as an artist and deliver the performance that his fans and management want. He stated that maintaining humility is vital as he prepares to go on a thrilling career path.</p><p>&quot;Si Sol at Si Luna&quot; follows other Puregold Channel digital shows, such as &quot;My Plantito,&quot; &quot;52 Weeks,&quot; and &quot;Ang Lalaki sa Likod ng Profile.&quot;</p><p>In recent years, Puregold has taken the lead in promoting local culture and artists, generating huge waves in series development, OPM, and even film production.</p><p>The series will premiere on the Puregold Channel on YouTube on Saturday, May 31, at 7 p.m. The following episodes will be released weekly on Saturdays at the same time.</p><div><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2025/5/14/zaijian-jaranilla-shows-maturity-in-digital-series-si-sol-at-si-luna-1522" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Zaijian Jaranilla shows maturity in digital series ‘Si Sol at si Luna’</a></div><div><strong><br/></strong></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Vy7ys3KAFHQ?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Py-eF7UKup0?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1FfWwOC95uI?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>While there has been much discussion about him becoming a new generation leading man, Zaijian Jaranilla has indicated that his main ambition is to improve his craft as an artist.</p>

While there has been much discussion about him becoming a new generation leading man, Zaijian Jaranilla has indicated that his main ambition is to improve his craft as an artist.