Fourteen years later and at now at 23 year-old, Zaijan Jaranilla is taking on bigger roles in his still young acting career. This time, it is somewhat sexy, a departure from how Filipinos fell in love with him via his hit TV series ‘May Bukas Pa’, where he played a wide-eyed boy Santino who has a direct line with “Bro” Jesus Christ.
At the trailer reveal of ‘Si Sol at si Luna’ at the World Trade Center in Pasay, the aggressive kissing scene between Jaranilla and his leading lady Jane Oineza surprised the crowd. At the press conference, Jaranilla shared his inhibitions: “Kinabahan talaga ako sa pag release ng trailer. Di ko talaga akalain na gagawin ko ‘yun. Honestly, ‘yung gagawin na namin ‘yung ekesena, di talaga ako mapakali.”
In ‘Si Sol at si Luna’, Zaijan portrays Sol, a film student seeking creative spark and falls for the older and emotionally-scarred Luna, which is portrayed by Jane Oineza. Beyond the sensuality, the digital series also confronts the hard truths of age, loss and love.
But it is the intimate scene which is causing buzz. Zaijan shared that he got the go signal of his talent management, Star Magic. “Sobrang saya ko kasi naka receive din ako ng ibang comments na hindi ako takot mag explore ng ibang role. Thankful ako kung paano n’yo ako nakilala pero gusto ko rin ma-experience ‘yung iba’t-ibang roles. Iba ‘yung pakiramdam kung makakaganap ka ng ibang karakter. Sobrang self-satisfying niya,” he explained.
When teased if he has done something similar to the kissing scene in real life at a young age of 23, the former child actor gave in. “Ang masasabi ko lang po, marunong din po ako humalik,” he remarked which drew applause from the other cast.
With Zaijan and Jane in the digital series are Joao Constancia, Uzziel Delamide, Vaugh Piczon, Lyle Vijay, Jem Manicad, Marnie Lapus and Atasha Franco. The series is directed by Dolly Dulu.
‘Si Sol ay Si Luna’ elevates Puregold Channel as a powerhouse content studio as it aims to blend commercial value and creativity. Its very first episode will be streamed on Puregold Channel on YouTube on May 31, with a new episode set to be released every Saturday after the premiere.