Zaijian Jaranilla
[2][3] He was fond of Hot Wheels scale model car toys which made him inspired to start owning a personal vehicle in 2011 with the first is Toyota Hiace Super Grandia, and then later acquired a Geely Coolray where ABS-CBN Studios and Star Magic head Laurenti Dyogi took a ride on March 26, 2023.
He entered school regularly as a Grade 2 student at Angelicum in June 2009 but was not able to do so for a year due to the ongoing schedule of taping of the drama series May Bukas Pa, where it is still in production during that time.
His grandmother Maria Dulce Jaranilla, who worked on Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society Foundation, Inc., accompanied Zaijian after a doctor approached her about his interest in doing commercials.
[20][21] On November 4, 2009, the "Bro, Ikaw ang Star ng Pasko" campaign kicked off with the launch of the Christmas station ID, and the lighting of an 18-foot parol led by ABS-CBN executives including chairman Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III and president Charo Santos-Concio, and ABS-CBN talents, including Zaijian himself.
With several departments, divisions and subsidiaries contributing their ideas to the station ID this year’s campaign not only unites ABS-CBN employees for the common goal of bringing cheer to the Filipinos and infecting them with the Christmas spirit.
On May 22, 2011, Jaranilla reprised his Santino role on a documentary entitled Banál (Tagalog for "holy") on the occasion of the beatification of Pope John Paul II.
Zaijian Jaranilla and Jaime Fabregas reprised their roles as Santíno and Father Anthony as they present the life of John Paul II and his significance for Filipinos.
'This Christmas, the Filipinos will Shine' and 2019's Family is Forever with the former is due to May Bukas Pa was still the highest-rating television series in Philippine television during that time and before the 2010–2011 series Mara Clara overtook the title on June 3, 2011, and the latter as part of the network's 65th anniversary both feature Jaranilla, signifying that the series currently stands as the country's highest-rated show of all time since Philippine television switched to a nationwide TV ratings system in the opening day of 2009 and the Star ng Pasko is famous and well-known since its release on November 4, 2009.
[27] In 2009, Jaranilla pleaded to everyone, candidates and voters alike, to support Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 4 which is to reduce child mortality.
After May Bukas Pa ended on February 5, 2010, and as a result of the series' success, Jaranilla was given another roles for the rest of his 17-year child and teenage actor period from 2010 to 2021.
Jaranilla was given a wig in June 2010 for the preparation of his character Eli/Jacob Perez of the latter, making his hair became longer until restoring the usual shorter one five months later in November 2010 throughout Noah's airing.
[31] Jaranilla participated in the project along with fellow talents Coco Martin, Kuya Kim Atienza, Karen Davila and Efren Peñaflorida.
[23] Jaranilla took stage in GMA Network's noontime show Eat Bulaga to play for the segment "Pinoy Henyo" together with co-actors Xyriel Manabat and Bea Alonzo while promoting the movie.
[34] Later that year, he appeared in the Christmas-themed TV series Ikaw ay Pag-Ibig along with fellow child stars Mutya Orquia, Louise Abuel, and Xyriel Manabat and aired until January 27, 2012.
In November 2014, Jaranilla revealed that he was eager to be a part of teenager-oriented shows after his stint at the family-oriented drama "Hawak Kamay".
In same year, he appeared in the film Hamog portraying as Rashid, a Muslim boy who spent 48 hours of his young yet hurried life seeking help for his Christian friend who died in a cruel test of fate.
[46] In the same year, Jaranilla returned to television on a minor role for FPJ's Ang Probinsyano as Cocoy Amaba, and The Story of Us as Young Macoy in early 2016.
[50] Jaranilla joined the list of Filipino guest actors in the American crime drama series Almost Paradise during the "Lone Wolf" episode.
[53] Jaranilla took on the challenge of playing a gay character in the coming-of-age comedy directed by Jumbo Albano under Star Cinema, titled “Boyette: Not a Girl Yet”.
Jaranilla acknowledges that his breakout role as orphan boy Santino in the 2009–2010 inspirational teleserye “May Bukas Pa” has left an indelible ink to his image.
[57][58] He starred in "Maalaala Mo Kaya Loving 2 Care" first episode "Dialysis" with Nonie Buencamino directed by veteran director Jerry Lopez-Sineneng.
[66][67] On November 15, 2023, Jaranilla renewed his contract with ABS-CBN and its talent agency Star Magic along with JM de Guzman, extending their stay with the network.
Present in their contract signing are chairman Martin López, president and CEO Carlo Katigbak, CFO Ricardo B. Tan Jr. and TV and entertainment production and Star Magic head Laurenti Dyogi, and talent managers Cris Tapang and Portia Dimla.
