Arzen Rose Dulzura

Is Zaijian Jaranilla ready for sexy roles?

Article (news)

Alyana De Guzman

Push Team

<p>Is Zaijian Jaranilla ready for sexy roles?  </p><p>The actor had a candid answer when the question came up during the special screening and grand media conference of <em>The Silent Noise</em>, where he is among the lead stars. </p><p>Zaijan first rose to fame as the innocent Santino in the hit series<em> May Bukas Pa.</em> Years later, the former child star surprised many fans when he embraced a more mature role in the 2025 digital series<em> Si Sol at si Luna</em> alongside Jane Oineza. In the series, the two actors shared a romantic love scene – an unexpected moment for viewers who had long associated Zaijan with wholesome roles. </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2026/3/13/zanjoe-marudo-and-angelica-panganiban-say-real-life-parenting-has-changed-their-approach-to-roles-0828"><strong><u>READ: Zanjoe Marudo and Angelica Panganiban say real-life parenting has changed their approach to roles</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>During an ambush interview on the sidelines of the media conference, Zaijan was asked whether he is now open to doing sexy roles as well after taking on a mature role last year.  </p><p>“Sexy? Parang wait lang,” he candidly said.  </p><p>The actor explained that scenes of that nature require careful preparation, adding that he is mindful of how his image evolves as he takes on more challenging roles. </p><p>“’Yung mga ganyang sexy-sexy, kailangan paghandaan syempre. At ayoko naman ‘yung drastic ‘yung pagbabago ng image. Kasi hindi naman talaga ‘yun yung intensyon ko para gawin ‘yung isang proyekto,” he explained.</p><p>“As an actor, gusto ko lang talaga mag-explore ng iba’t ibang karakter kasi doon masusukat ‘yung pagka-versatile mo po eh. Parang self-satisfaction din siya para sa akin na ‘uy, nagawa ko siya nang maayos’,” he added.  </p><p>Zaijan emphasized that apart from roles, he also looks deeper on the meaning and the story of the character and projects he plays with.  “Gusto kong gumawa ng [project] na hindi lang parang nilagay mo lang yung sexy scenes....Gusto ko may puso at may kwenta pa rin’yung kwento.”  </p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-12" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DIDcXcAynqk/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A12%2C%22os%22%3A18269441.099999994%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="823" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-12" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>While he remains cautious about sexy roles, Zaijan said he is open to doing scenes that involve intimacy, noting that he has already experienced that in his past project, saying: “Oo naman po kasi nagawa ko na eh.”  </p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17735537498891773553869333.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><br/></div><p>When asked about whether he prefers taking on solo projects or being paired in a love team, the actor emphasized that he does not limit himself, noting that he welcomes any project whether it involves a love interest or not.  </p><p>“Hindi ko po siya sinasabing choice ko na mag-solo kasi wala naman po akong pinipiling [project] may love interest man ‘yan or solo, okay lang wala pong problema sa akin. Basta may trabaho ako, tatanggapin ko ‘yan,” he said.</p><p>“Hindi rin naman po ako mapili sa mga roles. Basta kung ano po talaga ‘yung ibigay sa akin, sige pagta-trabahuhan ko ‘yan, pag-uusapan natin kung ano ‘yung gusto niyong makita,” he added.   </p><p>Meanwhile, Zaijan was mum when asked about his real score with actress Gela Atayde, as the two continue to spark dating speculations online. Gela also attended the event with her sister Ria Atayde, in support of Zanjoe Marudo.  </p><p>The actor offered only a brief response before being escorted away by security. </p><p>“Secret,” he said while laughing.  </p><p>Zaijan and Gela previously worked together in the ABS-CBN coming of age dramas <em>Senior High</em> and <em>High Street.  </em></p><blockquote cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@ataydegela/video/7526024226562772232" class="tiktok-embed" data-video-id="7526024226562772232" id="v64999130608679720" style="max-width:605px;min-width:325px"><iframe name="__tt_embed__v64999130608679720" sandbox="allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-scripts allow-top-navigation allow-same-origin" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7526024226562772232?lang=en-US&amp;referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com%2F%23%2Fworkspace%2Fmonitoring%3Fitem%3Durn%3Anewsml%3Aod2-workbench-api.abs-cbn.com%3A2026-03-13T10%3A33%3A58.690596%3A4e94cf5b-a3db-46f2-b98d-1b190579b438%26action%3Dedit" style="width:100%;height:740px;display:block;visibility:unset"></iframe></blockquote><script async="" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script><p>Some of the speculation stemmed from posts shared by Gela in 2025 that showed half of her supposed boyfriend’s face, with netizens guessing it could be Zaijan. However, neither of them has confirmed nor denied their status.  </p><p>Zaijan leads <em>The Silent Noise</em> alongside Zanjoe, Angelica Panganiban, Mutya Orquia, and newcomer KD Omalin. </p><p>The series is directed by Onat Diaz and will premiere exclusively on Amazon Prime Video on March 20 in the Philippines and in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.</p>

<p>After surprising viewers with a more mature role, actor Zaijian Jaranilla shares his honest thoughts on whether he is ready to take on sexy roles. </p>

After surprising viewers with a more mature role, actor Zaijian Jaranilla shares his honest thoughts on whether he is ready to take on sexy roles.