General Roxas Elementary School (until 2009) Headway School for Giftedness (2009–2010) UST Angelicum College (2010–2018) Colegio de San Juan de Dios (2021–2023)
Zaijian Godsick Lara Jaranilla (born August 23, 2001) is a Filipino actor, comedian, and model. He began his career at age three as a model and then later branched into show business, both of which are through various media appearances. He rose to fame through his portrayal of the orphan Santino in the Christian drama May Bukas Pa. His accolades include Star Award, Gawad Tanglaw, and a nomination for an Asian Academy Creative Award.[5][6][7][8][9]
Zaijian Godsick Lara Jaranilla was born on August 23, 2001,[10] in Gloria, Oriental Mindoro, to Glendelle Lara Jaranilla of Lucena, Quezon, and Zenon Louis Jaranilla of Marinduque. Jaranilla grew up in Quezon City, Metro Manila, with place of residence was originally at Roxas District until he transferred to University of the Philippines (UP) Professors Subdivision at Tandang Sora in 2019, and regularly spends holidays in Boac, Marinduque. He is the eldest of three siblings, with two younger brothers: Zildjian Godweevil (born January 18, 2003) and Zymic Demigod Lara Jaranilla. His parents separated in 2006, and he currently resides with his father.[11][12][13]
Jaranilla began his formal education at General Roxas Elementary School in Quezon City, where he completed Grade 1 in 2009, ranking ninth in a class of 40 students. He was originally scheduled to enroll at Angelicum College as Grade 2 student. However, due to the filming schedule of May Bukas Pa and Maalaala Mo Kaya episode Xylophone, and voice acting on Agua Bendita as the fish Otep from June 2009 to May 2010, he could not attend school regularly during that period. To keep up with his education, he underwent homeschooling and probationary school programs through Headway School for Giftedness until his enrollment on Angelicum College at the said month of 2010 to resume regular schooling and restart the second grade.[14][15]
Four months after production and airing of the cut ABS-CBN version of May Bukas Pa concluded on February 5, 2010, he began working on his next television series, Noah in June 2010, which premiered in July 2010. Despite his busy acting schedule, he continued his education at Angelicum and remained at the school for eight years, completing his sophomore year in junior high school in May 2018. It was also during his time as student of the said school when an extended version of May Bukas Pa on Jeepney TV aired.
Due to increasing demands on his time in showbiz, Jaranilla discontinued regular schooling after being served as sophomore student. To continue his education, he took and passed the Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEPT) administered by the Department of Education, which allowed him to proceed directly to senior high school.[11] From August 2021 (a month where he became adult actor) to May 31, 2023, he studied at Colegio de San Juan de Dios in San Rafael, Bulacan, where he completed and graduated the Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) strand.[16][17]
Career
2004–2008: Start of career as model
Before starting his showbiz stint, Jaranilla was discovered by talent manager Bryan Ancheta of RDB Talents and Events Management in 2004. His grandmother, Maria Dulce Jaranilla, who worked with the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society Foundation, Inc., accompanied him after a doctor expressed interest in having him appear in commercials.[18] Together, they went to an audition in Makati, which proved successful, marking Jaranilla's debut as a model.[19]
He made his first appearance in the McDonald'sGood Kuya/Tweens commercial in 2006, playing the role as Paolo, a younger brother of Carlo Lacana who accused of drawing of the latter's assignment, later grabs a toy from Lacana until their mother stopped him from grabbing, and playing around using the said toy afterwards.[20][21] This was followed by a Lactum MTV (With Supers) commercial in 2007, and a TV ad for Tide in 2008.[19]
2008–present: Showbiz career
In 2008, Jaranilla joined showbiz industry upon signing with ABS-CBN and Star Magic as his primary network and talent agency while also allowing him to work and collaborate on other TV networks under certain circumstances and conditions which began three years later in 2011. He made his first appearance as a guest on the children’s sketch comedy show Goin' Bulilit.[6][7] That same year, he also appeared in the anthology series Mars Ravelo's Komiks Presents.[22] Jaranilla became a regular performer on the Sunday variety show ASAP and made several appearances on ABS-CBN, GMA Network, and TV5 programs, including It's Showtime, Maalaala Mo Kaya, Eat Bulaga!, Rainbow Rumble, and Family Feud.[11]
2008–2014: As child actor, May Bukas Pa popularity and other shows, start of collaboration with other networks through Pak! Pak! My Dr. Kwak!
Jaranilla (left) with Andre Tiangco in May Bukas Pa.
Jaranilla portrayed the lead role of Santino Guillermo in May Bukas Pa, the highest-rated Philippine television program of all time and was announced on late 2008.[23] His portrayal of Santino, a young boy who encounters Jesus Christ, earned him widespread recognition and made him a household name in the Philippines. It is also where he first meet his long time friend and partner both in showbiz and personal life Xyriel Manabat as one of the show's guests.[24][11][25] The series received a special award at the 2009 Catholic Mass Media Awards, presented by Cardinal Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales, which Jaranilla accepted alongside his co-stars.[26] Additionally, May Bukas Pa won the Anak TV Seal twice, and Jaranilla was honored with several accolades, including the Male Makabata Award and a spot on the 2010 Anak TV Roster of Makabata Stars (the latter also recognizing his work on Noah).[27] Jaranilla's performance earned him multiple awards, such as the Best Male New TV Personality at the 23rd PMPC Star Awards for Television, the Natatanging Gawad Tanglaw para sa Sining ng Telebisyon at the 2010 Gawad Tanglaw Awards, the Students' Choice of Actor in a Daily Soap Opera at the 6th USTv Awards, the Pinakapasadong Simbolo sa Kagandahang Asal at the 12th Gawad PASADO Awards, and Most Favorite Child Personality at the 1st Lingkod TV Awards in 2010 (announced in 2011). The show underwent two airing versions, which are the ABS-CBN broadcast cut from February 2, 2009 to February 5, 2010 and extended clean feed versions released online on TFC and later continued on its sister channel Jeepney TV from July 2012 to December 5, 2013 three years after production and former ended, featuring a deleted scene of the show's finale episode 263. [28][29]
In 2010, Jaranilla voiced the character Otep, a fish, in Agua Bendita, the immediate successor to May Bukas Pa, another religious-themed series, and predecessor to the fantasy-adventure drama Noah in post-TV Patrol timeslot until the latter's premiere on July 2010.[30]Noah, alongside Piolo Pascual and Jodi Sta. Maria, replaced Agua Bendita in its timeslot when it moved to the second primetime slot, aired between the original cut and extended versions of May Bukas Pa, and lasted until February 4, 2011. For his role as Eli/Jacob Perez in Noah, Jaranilla wore a wig starting in June 2010 to portray longer hair, which he kept until July 2011, five months after the series' end. [31][32] Later that year, he voiced the character Nico in RPG Metanoia, his first animated film.[30][33]
On April 23, 2011, he made his first on-screen film appearance in Pak! Pak! My Dr. Kwak! alongside Vic Sotto and Bea Alonzo, playing Angelito, an angel who was expelled from heaven.[34] Jaranilla appeared on GMA Network's noontime show Eat Bulaga! to participate in the segment "Pinoy Henyo" alongside co-actors Xyriel Manabat and Bea Alonzo while promoting the movie, marking his first working and collaboration stint outside the primary ABS-CBN.[2][35]
ABS-CBN aired two specials in connection to Pope John Paul II leading to sainthood, with the first being which are Banál on May 22, 2011 where Jaranilla reprised his role as Santino to narrate about his beatification and then cumulated with the canonization three years later and after the December 5, 2013 end of extended version of May Bukas Pa on April 27, 2014 named John Paul II and John XXIII Mga Bagong Santo: The ABS-CBN News Special Coverage with it reported on TV Patrol Weekend that followed.[36] Jaranilla and Jaime Fabregas, who portrayed Father Anthony, presented the life of Pope John Paul II and his significance for Filipinos on the former.[37] Later that year, he appeared in the Christmas-themed TV series Ikaw ay Pag-Ibig alongside fellow child stars Mutya Orquia, Louise Abuel, and Manabat.[38] The series aired until January 2012.
In 2012, Jaranilla took on the lead role in the melodrama series Lorenzo's Time, alongside Carmina Villarroel.[39][40] He portrayed the titular character, a boy with progeria. Members of the production staff described Jaranilla as a "boy wonder" and referred to him as a natural and a "born actor" on set.[41]
In 2013, he starred in the TV series Juan dela Cruz as Tonton.[42] His character Tonton was a juvenile and young aswang.[22][43] Jaranilla also portrayed the role of Brian in the Maalaala Mo Kaya episode, Alitaptap.[44]
On March 2014, Jaranilla also appeared in the TV series Ikaw Lamang as Young Samuel Severino, the younger version of Coco Martin’s character,[22] marking a brief reunion with Martin after their time together in Juan dela Cruz.[45]
2014–2021: Post-May Bukas Pa popularity, pre-adult actor
He starred in Hawak-Kamay as Raymond "Emong" Agustin in July 2014.[46][47] Jaranilla turned 13 during the production of the series, officially marking his transition into a teenage actor.[11] This marked Hawak-Kamay as the first series he worked on as a teen actor.
In November 2014, Jaranilla expressed interest in taking on more teen-oriented roles following his work in the family drama Hawak Kamay.[48] He stated that he was ready to accept more mature projects offered by ABS-CBN.[49]
In 2015, he appeared in several episodes of Maalaala Mo Kaya. That same year, he starred in the film Hamog, playing Rashid, a Muslim boy who spends 48 hours trying to seek help for his Christian friend who died under tragic circumstances.[50]Hamog was one of the 12 official entries in the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP).[50] Jaranilla’s performance received critical praise, and the film won the Outstanding Artistic Achievement Golden Goblet Award at the 2016 Shanghai International Film Festival.[50] His role also earned him his first Best Actor nomination at the Cinema One Originals Awards.[51]Hamog was also screened at the 15th New York Asian Film Festival.[51] In the same period, Jaranilla returned to television with a minor role in FPJ's Ang Probinsyano as Cocoy Amaba, marking his third reunion with Martin.[52] He also appeared as Young Macoy in the television drama-romantic series, The Story of Us, in early 2016.[22]
In 2018, Jaranilla appeared in Bagani, portraying Liksi,[53] and starred alongside Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil.[54] In 2019, he acted in his first digital series, Story of My Life, produced by Big Reveal Digital and streamed on iWantTV.[55][56] Jaranilla also joined the list of Filipino guest actors in the American crime drama Almost Paradise, appearing in the episode titled Lone Wolf.[57] He later starred in Ang sa Iyo ay Akin.[58]
Jaranilla returned to Bacolor Church in June 2019 as part of ABS-CBN's year-long 65th anniversary celebration. The 2009–2010 Christmas ID Star ng Pasko was used in two station IDs from the 2010s to 2020s: Ngayong Pasko Magniningning Ang Pilipino (lit.'This Christmas, the Filipinos will Shine')[59] (2010–2011), and Family is Forever (2019–2020).[60] The 2010–2011 ID was linked to May Bukas Pa, which was the highest rating show on ABS-CBN for the period of February 2009 until Mara Clara on February 3, 2011. The 2019–2020 ID was part of the network's 65th anniversary from 2018 to 2019.[61] Both featured Jaranilla, highlighting May Bukas Pa as the top-rated show on Philippine television since the nationwide TV ratings system was introduced in 2009. The Star ng Pasko ID remains notable since its release on November 4, 2009.[62]
"Zaijian Jaranilla marvels with his brilliance in taking his character not only understandable or comprehensible, but a real person with whom viewers would share a deep emotional connection...He gave a performance that was deeply felt and riveting"
—Television critic Gerry Plaza on Jaranilla's performance in Maalaala Mo Kaya "Dialysis" episode (2021) [63]
On July 2019, Jaranilla made his second collaboration with GMA Network after eight years through support with Shayne Sava of StarStruck. He encouraged fans to also support for her to become an Ultimate Female Survivor of the show.
In 2020, Jaranilla expressed interest in portraying a gay character and had at least two films lined up.[64] He took on the challenge of playing a gay character in the coming-of-age comedy Boyette: Not a Girl Yet, directed by Jumbo Albano and produced by Star Cinema.[65][66] In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Jaranilla explained, "...I agreed to do the project because I wanted to change my image. I want people to know that I can portray different roles. Boyette has given me an opportunity to prove myself to people."[66] He acknowledged that his breakout role as the orphan boy Santino in the 2009–2013 inspirational teleserye May Bukas Pa had a lasting impact on his image. However, he was able to move on from that role work-wise after the series ended its extended run on December 5, 2013, stating that all of the show's contents were already originally aired while keeping its characteristics in a long-term.[67][66] Jaranilla emphasized that Boyette would give his fans the chance to see him in a different light both on working and viewing aspects.[68]
In February 2020, Jaranilla was interviewed about the comparisons between his responses when he portrayed Santino and his answers as a grown-up and teenage actor in a segment titled "Same Interview, Ten Years Apart.".[69]
On July 2021, he starred in the Maalaala Mo Kaya (MMK) 30th anniversary special, Loving 2 Care, in the episode titled "Dialysis", alongside Nonie Buencamino. Directed by Jerry Lopez-Sineneng, the episode featured Jaranilla portraying a nurse battling chronic kidney disease.[70] His performance received generally positive reviews, with critics noting his maturity and growth as an actor.[42]
2021–present: Adult actor, more and strengthened collaboration to other TV networks
In 2022, Jaranilla portrayed Gio Illustre in The Broken Marriage Vow, a remake of the British series Doctor Foster.[71] This marked his first series role as an adult actor.[72] His portrayal in the series made him realize the importance of self-love.[73] Later that year, Jaranilla was cast as Ding, the younger brother and sidekick to the titular Filipino character, Darna, in what became his biggest role to date.[8][9] During the first week of the show, Jaranilla received praise from critics for his acting skills.[74] He was also awarded Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the Asian Academy Creative Awards for his performance in The Broken Marriage Vow and represented the Philippines at the awards ceremony in December 2022.[75]
From August 28, 2023 to August 30, 2024, Jaranilla reunited with Andrea Brillantes and Manabat to star in ABS-CBN's mystery thriller and youth drama duology, Senior High and High Street.[76] He portrayed Tim Castro in the series, an initial boyfriend to Manabat's character, Roxy, and later became a police officer. Jaranilla received critical and public praise for his performance.[77]
One month before he transitioned to adult actor on August 23, 2021 upon turning 20, Jaranilla stated that he will continue to work primarily for ABS-CBN and Star Magic on July 2021, respectively, despite the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19pandemic and the network’s loss of its broadcast franchise, reflected two years later when he renewed his contract with ABS-CBN and its talent agency Star Magic on November 15, 2023, alongside JM de Guzman, continuing their primary partnership with the network. ABS-CBN Chairman Martin López, President and CEO Carlo Katigbak, CFO Ricardo B. Tan Jr., TV and Entertainment Production and Star Magic Head Laurenti Dyogi, and talent managers Cris Tapang and Portia Dimla were present at the contract signing. During the signing, Jaranilla made his signature praying pose, a reference to his role in the 2009–2013 drama series May Bukas Pa. With ABS-CBN's collaboration with TV5 from January 24, 2021 to January 1, 2026 and GMA Network since May 29, 2023, especially with It's Showtime airing on GMA platforms since July 1, 2023, he made more appearances and work for other networks aside from his many primary stints at ABS-CBN, such as TV5's Eat Bulaga! for the second time (a month before ABS-CBN ended their collaboration with TV5 on January 1, 2026) and GMA Network's Family Feud with sibling Zymic Jaranilla, father Zenon Jaranilla, and Glenn Reynon from December 17 to 18, 2025.[78][79][80][81][82][83][3]
Other ventures
Endorsements
Jaranilla started out as a model.[19] After signing with ABS-CBN and its talent agency Star Magic, Jaranilla became a brand endorser for several companies. He endorsed the brand Bench from 2009 to 2012 and 2025, and Moose Gear from 2012 to 2016. He also appeared in campaigns for Globe Telecom (2009–2010), various Nestlé products (2009–2011), Argentina Andale Hotdog (2011), and Converse. In 2009, he was featured in a television commercial for the real estate development Morningfields at Carmeltown.[84]
Advocacy and philanthropy
In 2009, Jaranilla publicly advocated for Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 4, which aims to reduce child mortality. He urged both candidates and voters to support this goal, which sought to reduce the mortality rate of children under five years old by two-thirds, between 1990 and 2015.[85]
On November 4, 2009, the Bro, Ikaw ang Star ng Pasko campaign was launched with the release of ABS-CBN's Christmas station ID and the lighting of an 18-foot parol. The event was attended by ABS-CBN executives, including chairman Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III, president Charo Santos-Concio, and ABS-CBN talents, including Jaranilla. The campaign, which involved contributions from various ABS-CBN departments, divisions, and subsidiaries, aimed to unite the network’s employees with the shared goal of bringing joy to Filipinos and encouraging them to embrace the Christmas spirit, particularly following the damage caused by tropical storms Ondoy and Pepeng. The planning for the Bro, Ikaw ang Star ng Pasko campaign began as early as June, with teams from Sales, Marketing, Creative Communications Management (CCM), Licensing, Production, and Property presenting ideas to a leadership committee that included Channel 2 head Cory V. Vidanes and department heads. Vidanes suggested combining several of these concepts, including Marketing's company-wide Christmas tree lighting, Licensing’s Parol ni Bro, CCM's station ID and tagline, a Christmas bazaar, and the Win sa Bituin viewers’ promo, into one cohesive campaign.[86]
In 2010, Jaranilla took part in ABS-CBN’s “Kapit Bisig sa Ilog Pasig” project, an environmental awareness campaign led by the ABS-CBN Foundation and environmental advocate Gina Lopez.[87] The campaign, directed by Brillante Mendoza,[88] aimed to promote the seven-year clean-up effort for the Pasig River, which had become heavily polluted.[89] Jaranilla appeared in infomercials alongside other ABS-CBN talents including Coco Martin, Kim Atienza, Karen Davila, and Efren Peñaflorida.[88]
On April 2011, his appearance on Eat Bulaga! aimed to promote Pak! Pak! My Dr. Kwak! and donate the prize money to Silid-kaalaman, the show's Library Project for underdeveloped schools in the Philippines.
In 2022, ABS-CBN and Star Magic launched the "Tulong-Tulong sa Pag-Ahon: Isang Daan sa Pagtutulungan" campaign to seek financial support for survivors of Typhoon Odette.[90] Jaranilla, along with other celebrities, participated in sports and online gaming events to raise sponsorships and donations.[90] Through this campaign, the ABS-CBN Foundation was able to deliver 584 home repair kits, provide food packs to 207,649 families in Palawan, and parts of Visayas and Mindanao, and restore the livelihoods of fishermen by supplying boats and other essential resources.[90][91]
Through his family's appearance on GMA Network's Family Feud on December 2025, they won 20,000 pesos for the charity Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, Inc., an association that gives support to persons with down syndrome. It is in line of the film I'mPerfect, on which Zaijian is part of the film's cast.
Jaranilla has long had an interest in Hot Wheelsscale modelcar toys, which inspired him to begin owning personal vehicles starting in 2011. His first vehicle was a Toyota Hiace Super Grandia, followed by a Geely Coolray, which was later featured when ABS-CBN Studios and Star Magic head Laurenti Dyogi took a ride with him on March 26, 2023.[92][93][94] He developed his driving skills from a young age, starting at 11 years old while working as a child star in 2012. After ten years, he obtained an LTO non-professional driving license on May 17, 2022 after undertaking driving lessons at ReyMalyn Driving School in Bocaue, Bulacan.
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