Zaijian Jaranilla

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

Jaranilla was discovered by a talent manager in 2006 at the age of 5. He started his career as a commercial model on TV commercials.[2]

In 2008, he joined ABS-CBN where he became a contract artist of the network's talent management agency Star Magic. He appeared in Goin Bulilit as a cast member.[3] He was notably portrayed in May Bukas Pa, aired from February 2, 2009 to February 5, 2010, as its protagonist Santino Guillermo where he even rose more to fame.[4] He also appeared in various anthologies throughout his child star or pre-teen years, with the first being Mars Ravelo's Komiks Presents in 2008 and last is Maalaala Mo Kaya Karayom episode in 2014.

From March (one month after May Bukas Pa ended on February 5, 2010) to July 2010 and between May Bukas Pa and Noah, he did voiceacting on the fish Otep of May Bukas Pa's immediate successor and another religious-oriented teleserye Agua Bendita. On late 2010, he did voiceacting on the character Nico of the film RPG Metanoia which is his first movie as an actor. Also on that same year, he was starred on a teleserye where he made his next on-screen appearance after May Bukas Pa which is Noah, aired from July 12, 2010 to February 4, 2011.[5]

In 2011, he made his first on-screen appearance on a movie which is Pak! Pak! My Dr. Kwak! portraying as Angelito and later that year, he appeared in the 2011–2012 Christmas-themed teleserye Ikaw ay Pag-Ibig along with fellow child stars Mutya Orquia, Louise Abuel, and Xyriel Manabat. After Ikaw ay Pag-Ibig, Jaranilla appeared on more teleseryes throughout his child star years which are Lorenzo's Time portraying as Lorenzo "Enzo" Montreal, Juan dela Cruz as Tonton, Ikaw Lamang as Young Samuel Severino, and Hawak-Kamay as Raymond "Emong" Agustin.

In November 2014, Jaranilla hoped to be a part of teen shows and play a role fit for teenagers like him someday after his stint at the family-oriented drama "Hawak Kamay", which will air its finale on November 21. He stressed that he will accept any project offered by ABS-CBN.[6][7] He continued to appear on various anthologies in his post pre-teen years, with the first anthology where he starred in post pre-teen stage is Maalaala Mo Kaya Sketch Pad episode in 2015 where he portrayed as Rusty Quintana.

From 2015 to 2016, he appeared in the film Hamog portraying as Rashid, Ang Probinsyano as Cocoy Amaba, and The Story of Us as Young Macoy.

Two years after he appeared on The Story of Us, he appeared in Bagani portraying as Liksi where he now takes on a more mature role and continues on more of his future works such as his first digital series Story of My Life, Almost Paradise, Ang sa Iyo ay Akin, and The Broken Marriage Vow.

Jaranilla in 2020, expressed interest on portraying a role of a gay character and had at least two films lined up for him.[8] He also said that he is interested in studying filmmaking citing Mikhail Red's Birdshot as inspiration.[3]

In July 2021, Jaranilla decided that he will remain as an ABS-CBN actor and not leave the said network. He is happy and grateful for the continuous projects being received by the network despite the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines and the absence of the network's broadcast franchise.[9][10]

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