How Zaijian learned to love acting

Zaijian Jaranilla is all grown-up. Yet people are used to calling him Santino, his character in the 2009 TV series May Bukas Pa. Zaijian doesn’t mind at all. May Bukas Pa is close to his heart because it was his biggest break. He was initially not inclined towards acting.

“Syempre nakatulong ‘yun sa ‘kin, nakatulong po sa family ko. I admit that at first, hindi ko talaga gusto yung acting. But when my supporters told me that I was doing good and (after hearing) all those positive reviews, I told myself, ‘Ah sige ipagpapatuloy ko na ‘to,” recalled Zaijian.

“I learned to love my job later on. I love what I’m doing now kasi nabigyan ko ng magandang buhay yung family ko. And every time I am given projects, I make sure that I give my best. Ina-apply ko din sa personal na buhay, that is to be professional not only at work but also (in how I deal with) the people I encounter every day.”

For his latest acting assignment, Zaijian portrays a challenging character that struggles with depression in Story Of My Life, his first digital series now streaming on iWant.

The Kapamilya actor said he can’t help feeling the pressure every time he is given a new project and for this one, he has to prepare for the role by watching movies that tackle issues about depression. “It is a totally different role from the ones I did before. Kaya medyo nahirapan din po ako kasi hindi pa ako nakaka-experience ng depression.”

Zaijian added he has been getting positive feedback from people who were able to watch the series after it premiered last Dec. 27.

“Siguro relatable naman po siya. I've been receiving a lot of positive feedback on my IG na sobrang na-inspire sila, na naintindihan nila yung kwento and I’m so happy that they can relate to it,” he told select members of the press after a special screening held last Jan. 10 at ABS-CBN’s Preview Room.

Zaijian plays the troubled and sensitive loner named Rex who is neglected by his mother and lives under the shadow of his brother. His experiences lead him to make drastic decisions that will affect the lives of the people around him.

The iWant original series, which also stars Tart Carlos, Raul Montessa, Vance Larena, Belle Mariano and Alyanna Angeles, aims to shed light on what teens are going through and encourage understanding, compassion and empathy towards the feelings of others.

“I learned na hindi lahat ng tao ay okey pakisamahan. You should know how to deal with other people because you don’t know what they’re going through. So be nice to everybody,” said Zaijian who revealed that there was a time in his life when he experienced being rejected.

It was disappointing, he said, but thankfully he was able to manage it. “Playing video games” was also his outlet.

Zaijian also knows how to handle himself when it comes to expressing his feelings through social media because he prefers to keep his personal life private. In fact, his girlfriend is non-showbiz.

“Hindi po siguro ako kagaya nung ibang teenager that whenever they express what they feel or see around us, pino-post na nila. I don’t do that kaya naman walang masyadong nakikialam sa buhay ko,” said Zaijian who also knows fully well how people would instantly give comments on things or issues they feel are unfavorable to them.

“Parang konting kibot mo lang ma-i-issue ka na. We are only human and it’s normal to commit mistakes and lose our patience. But then sa tinagal-tagal ko naman na dito sa showbiz hindi pa naman ako na-i-issue kaya I’m thankful po.”