Zaijian Jaranilla

Zaijian Jaranilla
Born Zaijian Jaranilla
August 23, 2001 (2001-08-23) (age 10)
Manila , Philippines
Other names Santino
Occupation Child Actor, Endorser
Years active 2008-present

Zaijian Jaranilla (born August 23, 2001), commonly known as "Santino" due to his role in the top-rating teleserye, May Bukas Pa, is a Filipino child actor and television personality. He was discovered by a talent manager at the age of 5, and started out as a commercial model for such products as McDonald's, Lactum and Tide. He auditioned for Philippine entertainment network ABS-CBN, and was cast in the network's outfit, Komiks Presents: Tiny Tony, as the young Tony. Zaijian was also a part of the network's children's gag show, Goin' Bulilit. He is currently under contract with ABS-CBN.

Contents

Personal life

Within the Jaranilla family, Zaijian is the eldest of three. His first few years were spent in poverty, and his parents separated when he was just 5 years of age. Currently, he lives with his father, Zenon, his grandmother, and his two younger siblings, Zildjan and Zymec.

Zaijian's name is taken from the pinyin Romanization of Chinese Mandarin "再見", and means "Goodbye." The word, when pronounced properly, is supposed to sound like "Dzai Jyen," and it literally comes from the two words: "再" (Again), and "見" (To see). In Mandarin, "再見" literally means "See you again."

But in his interview with PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) associate editor Rommel R. Llanes, Zaijian revealed where he really got his name. He told the editor that his name came from the cymbal brand Zildjian (click here for the video).

Career

As aforementioned, he played the role of Santino in May Bukas Pa. The story centered on a little boy who affected the lives of the residents of the fictional town of Bagong Pag-asa. Known as the "miracle boy," Santino was often visited by Jesus Christ, whom he affectionately referred to as "Bro." His faith in "Bro," and in the overall goodness of humanity, is what endeared him to those he encountered.

As an actor, Zaijian has an innate ability to pull out emotions from laughter to tears, and can do so with such spontaneity. He is a member of Star Magic, ABS-CBN's talent management division.

Jaranilla also guested in a few ABS-CBN shows such as ASAP'09, Matanglawin, Ruffa & Ai, Wowowee, Entertainment Live, Rated K, Sharon, The Buzz, and SNN: Showbiz News Ngayon.

In 2010, Jaranilla starred in Noah, a TV series on ABS-CBN where he portrayed the role of Jacob/Eli, son of Gabriel Piolo Pascual and Ruth Jodi Sta. Maria. The family was involved in a car accident where he drifted off to a mysterious island, Noah. Unknown to Gabriel and rest of the world that apes called Unta took care of him and renamed him Eli but as the story progressed he was given back to his real parents, Gabriel and Ruth. Judah Joem Bascon, ex-husband of Ruth, hated Jacob and Gabriel and with a passion, he got in the way of Jacob/Eli and his father's quest to save the Island of Noah. In the end, Gabriel and Jacob/Eli save the mysterious Island of Noah prevailed over Judah. His best friend Xyriel Manabat also starred in this television show as Nica

Filmography

Television

Year Title Role Network
2008 Goin' Bulilit Various roles ABS-CBN
2008 I Love Betty La Fea Young Nicholas
2008 Komiks Presents: Tiny Tony Young Tony
2009 May Bukas Pa Gabriel "Santino Guillermo" M. Policarpio/Rodrigo
2009 Maalaala Mo Kaya: Bisikleta Young Joross
2010 Maalaala Mo Kaya: Xylophone Charles
2010 Agua Bendita Otep (voice)
2010 Noah Jacob Perez/Eli
2011 Mara Clara Guest appearance
2011 Your Song Presents: Kim Miggy Moreno
2011 Wansapanataym: Bully-Lit Elmer
2011 Maalaala Mo Kaya: Callao Cave Andoy
2011 Wansapanataym: Dirty Larry Larry
2011 Ikaw Ay Pag-Ibig NoNoy Reyes/Julius Alvarez

Film

Year Title Role Network
2010 RPG Metanoia Nico Star Cinema
2011 Pak! Pak! My Dr. Kwak! Angelito

Nominations & Awards

Year Award Giving Body Category Results
2009 PMPC Star Awards for Television[1] Best Male New-TV Personality (for May Bukas Pa) Won
2009 Anak TV Seal Award Mala Makabata Awardee
2009 ASAP Pop Viewer's Choice Awards Pop Kapamilya New Face (for May Bukas Pa)
2010 8th Gawad Tanglaw Natatanging Gawad TANGLAW para sa Sining ng Telebisyon (for May Bukas Pa)
2010 6th USTv Awards Students' Choice of Actor in a Daily Soap Opera

References