Zaijian Jaranilla facts for kids

Zaijian Godsick Lara Jaranilla (born August 23, 2001) is a Filipino actor and dancer. He is famous for playing Santino, an orphan, in the TV show May Bukas Pa. Zaijian also appeared in the kids' comedy show Goin' Bulilit. Later, he played Ding, the brother of the superhero Darna, in the TV series Darna on ABS-CBN.

About Zaijian's Life

Zaijian Godsick Lara Jaranilla was born on August 23, 2001. His birthplace was Gloria, Oriental Mindoro. His mother, Glendelle Lara Jaranilla, is from Lucena, Quezon. His father, Zenon Louis Jaranilla, is from Marinduque.

Zaijian grew up in Roxas District, Quezon City, Metro Manila. He likes to spend his holidays in Boac, Marinduque. He is the oldest child in his family. He has two younger brothers, Zildjian Godweevil and Zymic Demigod Lara Jaranilla. His parents separated in 2006 when he was five years old. He currently lives with his father.

Zaijian loved Hot Wheels toy cars when he was young. This inspired him to get his own car in 2011. His first car was a Toyota Hiace Super Grandia. Later, he bought a Geely Coolray. Laurenti Dyogi, head of ABS-CBN Studios and Star Magic, even rode in it in March 2023. Zaijian started learning to drive when he was 11 years old in 2012. He got his non-professional driving license from the LTO on May 17, 2022.

Jaranilla also enjoys playing video games. He plays PC games like Defense of the Ancients (DotA), Final Fantasy, and Plants vs. Zombies. He also plays games on PSP, PS2, and mobile games like Mobile Legends. He has a personal driver named Eduardo Mejos.

Zaijian's School Journey

Zaijian studied at General Roxas Elementary School in Quezon City. He finished Grade 1 there in 2009. He was one of the top students in his class. In June 2009, he moved to Angelicum College. He was a student there until his second year of junior high school in 2017.

He was supposed to start Grade 2 at Angelicum in 2009. However, he could not attend school physically for a year. This was because he was busy taping the TV show May Bukas Pa. Instead, he joined a home study program. He also attended other schools like Wordlab E-Learning and Language Tutorial Services and Headway School for Giftedness. This helped him keep up with his lessons.

Zaijian started attending school physically again in June 2010. He was still in second grade. This was four months after May Bukas Pa ended in February 2010. It was also one month before his next TV show, Noah, started in July 2010. He caught up on the lessons he missed during his break from regular school.

After his sophomore year in 2017, he stopped schooling for a while. It was hard for him to balance his studies and acting work. To continue his education, Zaijian had to pass the Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEP Test). This test is given by the Department of Education. He passed the exam, which allowed him to go straight to Senior High School. He studied at Colegio de San Juan de Dios from 2021 to 2023. He announced his graduation on May 31, 2023. He studied Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS).

Zaijian's Acting Career

Early Years as a Child Actor (2004–2008)

Before joining ABS-CBN/Star Magic in 2008, Zaijian was discovered by a talent manager. His name was Bryan Ancheta from RDB Talents and Events Management in 2004. Zaijian's grandmother, Maria Dulce Jaranilla, took him to an audition in Makati. A doctor had told her that Zaijian might be good for commercials. The audition was successful, and Zaijian started his career as a commercial model.

He first appeared in a McDonald's: Good Kuya commercial in 2006. Then, he was in a Lactum MTV commercial in 2007. He also appeared in a TV ad for Tide in 2008.

Breakthrough with May Bukas Pa (2008–2013)

Jaranilla (left) with Andre Tiangco in May Bukas Pa.

In 2008, Zaijian joined ABS-CBN. He became a contract artist with Star Magic, their talent agency. He appeared as a guest on Goin Bulilit. He also made his first appearance in an anthology series, Mars Ravelo's Komiks Presents, in 2008. He became a regular performer on the Sunday variety show ASAP. He also appeared many times on It's Showtime and Maalaala Mo Kaya.

From February 2, 2009, to February 5, 2010, Zaijian played the main role in May Bukas Pa. This show became the highest-rated Philippine television program nationally of all time. He played Santino Guillermo, a boy who met Jesus Christ. His role made him very famous. The series won a special award at the 2009 Catholic Mass Media Awards. Zaijian and his co-actors received this award. The show also won Anak TV Seal Awards twice. Zaijian received the Male Makabata Awardee and was named one of the 2010 Anak TV Roster of Makabata Stars.

The series also earned Zaijian several awards:

• "Best Male New TV Personality" at the 23rd PMPC Star Awards for Television.
• "Natatanging Gawad Tanglaw para sa Sining ng Telebisyon" at the 2010 Gawad Tanglaw Awards.
• "Students' Choice of Actor in a Daily Soap Opera" at the 6th USTv Awards.
• "Pinakapasadong Simbolo sa Kagandahang Asal" at the 12th Gawad PASADO Awards.
• "Most Favorite Child Personalities" at the 1st Lingkod TV Awards.

On November 4, 2009, the "Bro, Ikaw ang Star ng Pasko" Christmas campaign began. Zaijian was part of the launch event. This campaign aimed to bring cheer to Filipinos, especially after tropical storms Ondoy and Pepeng.

In 2011, Zaijian made his first movie appearance. He starred with Vic Sotto and Bea Alonzo in Pak! Pak! My Dr. Kwak!. He played Angelito, an angel who fell from heaven. The movie was similar to May Bukas Pa. Angelito could perform miracles and talk to spiritual beings. The movie was released on April 14, 2011.

On May 22, 2011, Zaijian played Santino again in a documentary called Banál (which means "holy"). This was for the beatification of Pope John Paul II. Zaijian and Jaime Fabregas, who played Father Anthony, showed the life of John Paul II.

An uncut version of May Bukas Pa aired on Jeepney TV from March 11 to December 5, 2013. This version included a deleted scene from the show's final episode.

In June 2019, Zaijian returned to Bacolor Church. This was part of ABS-CBN's 65th-anniversary celebration. The "Star ng Pasko" Christmas ID from 2009 is still very famous. Zaijian was featured in later Christmas IDs, showing how important May Bukas Pa was.

In February 2020, Zaijian was interviewed about how his answers changed over ten years. This was called "Same Interview, Ten Years Apart."

Other Roles and Ventures (2009–2021)

In 2009, Zaijian asked everyone to support Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 4. This goal aimed to reduce child mortality.

He became an endorser for clothing brands like Bench (2009-2012) and Moose Gear (2012-2016). He also endorsed Globe Telecom (2009-2010), various Nestle products (2009-2011), Argentina Andale Hotdog (2011), and Converse. Zaijian also appeared in a commercial for Morningfields at Carmeltown in 2009.

After May Bukas Pa ended, Zaijian continued to get many new roles. He voiced the fish Otep in Agua Bendita. He also starred in the fantasy-adventure TV series Noah with Piolo Pascual and Jodi Sta. Maria. He voiced Nico in his first film, RPG Metanoia, in 2010.

ABS-CBN launched infomercials for the "Kapit Bisig sa Ilog Pasig" project in 2010. Zaijian joined this project with other stars like Coco Martin and Karen Davila. The project aimed to clean up the Pasig River.

In 2011, he starred in the Christmas TV series Ikaw ay Pag-Ibig. In 2012, Zaijian played the lead role in Lorenzo's Time. In 2013, he was in Juan dela Cruz as Tonton. In 2014, Zaijian also starred in Ikaw Lamang as Young Samuel Severino.

On July 21, 2014, Zaijian starred in Hawak-Kamay as Raymond "Emong" Agustin. A month later, he turned 13, becoming a teenage actor. Hawak-Kamay was his first series as a teenager.

In November 2014, Zaijian said he wanted to be part of shows for teenagers. He was ready for more mature roles. He continued to appear in various anthologies, including Maalaala Mo Kaya in 2015. That same year, he appeared in the film Hamog. He played Rashid, a Muslim boy trying to help his friend. Zaijian was praised for his acting in this film. It won an award at the 2016 Shanghai International Film Festival. He also got his first "Best Actor Award" nomination for Cinema One Originals Award. The film was shown at the 15th New York Asian Film Festival. In the same year, Zaijian had minor roles in FPJ's Ang Probinsyano and The Story of Us.

In 2018, Zaijian appeared in Bagani as Liksi. He starred with Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil. He also acted in his first digital series, Story of My Life, in 2019. Zaijian was a guest actor in the American crime drama series Almost Paradise. He also starred in Ang sa Iyo ay Akin.

In 2020, Zaijian expressed interest in playing a gay character. He took on this challenge in the comedy film “Boyette: Not a Girl Yet”. He said he wanted to show that he could play different roles. Zaijian wanted to change his image from his famous Santino role.

In July 2021, Zaijian decided to stay with ABS-CBN and Star Magic. This was despite challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines and the absence of the network's broadcast franchise. He starred in Maalaala Mo Kaya "Loving 2 Care" episode "Dialysis". He played a Nurse fighting against chronic kidney disease. His acting received positive reviews.

Recent Work (2021–Present)

In 2022, Zaijian played Gio Illustre in The Broken Marriage Vow. This show was a remake of a British series. His role made him understand the importance of self-love. Later that year, Zaijian was chosen to play Ding. Ding is the younger brother and sidekick of the superhero Darna in Darna. This was his biggest role so far. Critics praised his acting skills during the first week of the show. Zaijian was also nominated for "Best Actor in a Supporting Role" at the Asian Academy Creative Awards for The Broken Marriage Vow.

ABS-CBN and Star Magic launched a campaign called “Tulong-Tulong sa Pag-Ahon: Isang Daan sa Pagtutulungan”. This campaign aimed to help survivors of tropical storm Typhoon Odette in 2022. Zaijian and other celebrities played sports and online games to raise money. Through this campaign, many families received help and supplies.

On November 15, 2023, Zaijian renewed his contract with ABS-CBN and Star Magic. He extended his stay with the network along with JM de Guzman. During the contract signing, he made his famous praying pose. This was a reference to his role in May Bukas Pa.

From his 23rd birthday on August 23, 2024, to August 22, 2025, Zaijian is a spiritual member of Pag-ibig sa Kapwa. This is for the spiritual and physical well-being of the members.

Music and Movies

Studio albums

• May Bukas Pa (Conversations Of Bro & Santino) (Star Music, 2009)

Television Shows

Digital Series

Movies

Anthology Appearances

Commercials and Public Service Ads

Awards and Nominations