From saint boy to gay Boyette: Zaijian Jaranilla on love life, growing up

MANILA, Philippines — Kapamilya actor Zaijian Jaranilla admitted that he is now in a relationship. 

During a recent episode of "Magandang Buhay," the "May Bukas Pa" star said he and his girlfriend are already one year and one month together. 

"One year and one month na po kami," he said. 

"Sobra po (siyang inspirasyon). Nakakatulong po siya sa akin. Parang mas inspired ako sa pang-araw-araw... kapag gumigising ako tapos alam ko na may nagmamahal sa akin, tapos may naghihintay sa akin."

Zaijian, who stars in the upcoming Star Cinema movie "Boyette," said his gay role in the movie is challenging for him. 

"Ngayon po, binigyan ako ng sarili kong movie. Sa una hindi madali kasi lalaki po ako, tapos gaganap akong bading. So, medyo ang lalim po nang pinaghugutan ko. Pero tinutulungan ako ng mga direktor ko. At 'yung set po namin halos puro gays po. So, sinasabi nila na, 'Uy medyo lalaki ka sa ganitong galaw, gawin mo ito.' Parang binibigyan nila ako ng tips," he said. 

"Mas gusto ko po 'yung parang nacha-challenge po ako."

“Boyette” also stars Maris Racal and Inigo Pascual. Powered by Cinexpress, the movie will be released on KTX.ph, iWantTFC, SkyCable and Cignal soon.

Jaranilla, who was just launched in his first titular role in Star Cinema’s upcoming movie “Boyette,” will be Ces Drilon’s guest in “Bawal Ma-Stress Drilon” this Monday (October 19), 9:30 p.m. on the FYE Channel on the live-streaming app Kumu.

Zaijian is best remembered as Santino, an orphan boy who talks to Jesus and calls him "Bro" in the 2009 teleserye “May Bukas Pa." He is 19 years old now and would like to showcase his versatility as an actor, this time in a coming-of-age movie, “Boyette,” with the intriguing blurb “not a girl, yet.”

“Sobrang laki po ng pinagkaiba ni Santino kay Boyette. Iba ‘yung image ko noong si Santino ako noon, kumpara mo kay Boyette na teenager na,” he said.

Prior to Zaijan’s guesting on “Bawal Ma-Stress Drilon,” Kumuzens compete for the chance to co-host with Ces and meet the young actor.

The streamers who collect the most Stress Drilon virtual gifts will join the show “Bawal Ma Stress Drilon” and win exciting prizes. The five streamers that collect the Stress Drilon Virtual Gift diamonds will receive Ces.Style x Peculiar eyewear, the leading eyewear brand online, and Holo Teeth Whitening Kit, which gives one a whiter and brighter smile at home in just a week. The top three streamers will be given the opportunity to hang out with Ces and Zaijian.

To join, start your public livestreams and ask your viewers and fans to gift you the "Stress Drilon" Virtual Gift. A leaderboard is updated hourly to show the running tally. Currently leading is beauty queen Ali Forbes, a "Pinoy Big Brother" alumna, followed by Jason De Guzman, a singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles. The campaign ends 9 p.m. on Sunday (October 18).

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