Zaijan Jaranilla enjoys doing offbeat roles
Best known for portraying Santino, a powerful intercessor and healer who vastly affects the lives of his community in “May Bukas Pa,” his character became a household name that endeared him to the Pinoy audience.
He also made us cry in “Lorenzo’s Time” as a boy who was diagnosed with a progeria, an extremely rare condition wherein symptoms resembling aspects of aging are manifested at an early age.
He was last seen in the Kapamilya teleserye “ Hawak Kamay” with Piolo Pascual, Iza Calzado, Xyriel Manabat and Andrea Brillantes.
He also did several episodes for “Wansapanataym” and “Maalaala Mo Kaya.”
Now, at 15, the child actor has turned into a handsome young boy.
He’s playing an offbeat role in “Hamog” as a vagabond child who lives on the streets and resorts to a life of crime in order to to survive.
Based on a true story, “Hamog” refers to ‘children of the dew’ who live a hand-to-mouth existence through begging and when pushed to desperation, would commit crime.
They drew the attention of the public because of their penchant for throwing rocks at passing vehicles in major thoroughfares of Metro Manila.
For Zaijian, he considers portraying the role of Rashid, a Muslim boy, a turning point in his acting career.
“Siguro po para sa akin, kakaiba iyong role. Hindi po siya katulad noong mga nagawa ko na. Sa dami po kasi ng teleserye ko, lagi akong mabait. Dito, gusto kong makita naman ako ng ibang tao na hindi iyong mabait. Gusto kong makita nila akong isang batang ‘hamog’ para maiba naman,” he said.
He admitted that he was also challenged by the requirements of his role.
“Dito po, sobra akong na-challenge. Gusto ko rin naman po na tsina-challenge ang sarili ko kaya tinanggap ko po ang indie film na ito.
“Tapos noong nagsho-shoot po kami at nag-o-observe po, may mga tunay na batang hamog na na-encounter po kami. Iyong iba, lulong po sa rugby, nagiging bayolente po sila at nambabato ng mga dumadaan,” he recalled.
“Buti na lang po, may kasama po kaming isang batang “hamog” na mabait naman po at siya iyong nag-guide sa amin,” he added.
Being an influential teen and a role model being looked up to, he says he is not worried about the impact of his character to the youth.
“Trabaho lang naman po siya. Ito pong Hamog, lesson din po ito para maging aware tayo sa environment natin at sa mga bata rin at kanilang mga pinagdadaanan at kung bakit po sila nagiging delinquent po,” he explained.
According to Zaijan, he doesn’t mind playing more offbeat roles in the future.
“Gusto rin po kasing maging versatile na puwedeng i-try ang ibang roles po. Sabi nila, puwede pa rin naman po ako sa batang role, puwede rin po sa teen. Flexible naman po ako,” he quipped.
He also said that he is comfortable working with or without a love team.
“Minsan, nakokornihan po kasi ako sa love team . Para sa akin, hindi ko kayang magpakilig ng tao , parang hindi ko feel, pero kung bibigyan po ako ng ka-love team, okay lang po,” he said.
Aware of the growing roster of talents in his network, he remains unfazed of the competition.
“Wala po akong iniisip na kumpetisyon sa mga bata na naging kasabay ko po. Marami na nga po ang pumapasok na mga batang artista sa ABS pero okay lang naman po sa akin. Kasi may iba’t ibang plano naman po ang management sa bawat isa sa amin,” he concluded.
Zaijan is currently in the 10th grade at Angelicum College.
“Hamog” which earned the outstanding artistic achievement award for filmmaker Ralston Jover at the 19th Shanghai International Film Festival and best actress for Teri Malvar at the 38th Moscow International Film Festival respectively, also stars Sam Quintana, Boy Lentejas, Kayline Alcantara, OJ Mariano, Anna Luna, Mike Liwag with the special participation of Lou Veloso, Junjun Quintana, Flor Salanga and Ruby Ruiz.
As one of the entries of the first Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino, it screens in cinemas nationwide from August 16-22.
