Zaijian Jaranilla

Zaijian Jaranilla (born August 23, 2001), commonly known as "Santino" due to his role in the top-rating teleserye, May Bukas Paas well as "Enzo" in his teleserye Lorenzo's Time, is a Filipino child actor and television personality. He auditioned for Philippine entertainment network ABS-CBN, and was cast in the network's outfit, Komiks Presents: Tiny Tony, as the young Tony. Zaijian was also a part of the network's children's gag show, Goin' Bulilit. He is currently under contract with ABS-CBN. --- Within the Jaranilla family, Zaijian is the eldest of three. His first few years were spent in poverty, and his parents separated when he was just 5 years of age. Currently, he lives with his father, Zenon, his grandmother, and his two younger siblings, Zildjan and Zymec. Zaijan and his family flew to their home province of Marinduque, and in Metro Manila he resides in Tandang Sora, Quezon City. Jaranilla is a student at Angelicum College. Jaranilla's name is taken from the pinyin romanisation of Chinese Mandarin "再見", and means "See You Again." The word, when pronounced properly, is supposed to sound like "Dzai Jyen," and it literally comes from the two words: "再" (Again), and "見" (To see). In Mandarin, "再見" literally means "See you again." Jaranilla is best-known for portraying Santino in May Bukas Pa, a teleserye inspired by the 1955 Spanish film, Marcelino pan y vino. Jaranilla's character vastly affects the lives of the residents of Bagong Pag-asa, as he becomes a powerful intercessor and healer known as the "Miracle Boy." Santino often directly communicated with Jesus, whom he had a casual, child-like friendship with and affectionately referred to as "Bro." His faith in "Bro," and in the overall goodness of humanity, is what endeared him to those he encountered and helped resolve the many dark secrets and issues of the townspeople. As an actor, Jaranilla is noted for his ability to spontaneously switch between emotions such as laughter to tears. He was first discovered by a talent manager called Bryan Ancheta of RDB Talents & Events Management Inc, and by age of 5, Jaranilla began as a commercial model for McDonald’s, Lactum, Tide and Bench/. He is currently a member of Star Magic, ABS-CBN's talent management division. Jaranilla also guested in a few ABS-CBN shows such as ASAP'09, Matanglawin, Ruffa & Ai, Wowowee, Entertainment Live, Rated K, Sharon, The Buzz, and SNN: Showbiz News Ngayon. --- Publicly, he expresses his admiration for Aria Clemente, but it was revealed he has feelings for Xyriel Manabat, his co-star in many of his projects. He sees Xyriel as his future wife, and has declared that he is willing to do a romantic film with her. Zaijian himself said he also would like for him and Xyriel Manabat to become a love team form a love triangle with another child actor/ actress.