More surprises from Zaijian in 2013

MANILA, Philippines - Even if he came straight from a taping in Tanay, Rizal, 11-year-old Zaijian Jaranilla showed no signs of grouchiness when he appeared and flashed a big smile at the presscon for Wansapanataym last Monday night. A positive proof that he loves acting so much that he, perhaps, regards it as a form of play.

 â€œI am inviting all of you to watch Wansapanataym,” began Zaijian, who was as dapper as his idol John Lloyd Cruz in his pair of brown shoes, beige pants and a checkered polo topped with a black coat.

Zaijian will portray different roles in stories that appeal to televiewers not only for light, entertaining fare but also the moral lessons they impart per episode. Truth is, Wansapanataym has received a number of awards from different award-giving bodies including the PMPC Star Awards for TV, Catholic Mass Media Awards and the Germany-based Prix Jeunesse International Festival. The Kapamilya fantasy-drama anthology kicks off 2013 with Zaijian as the featured artist for one season.

Having starred in past ABS-CBN shows like May Bukas Pa, Noah, Ikaw ay Pag-Ibig and Lorenzo’s Time, Wansapanataym head writer Cris Lim is confident that the child actor can easily give life to the characters he is about to portray.

“We have lots of surprises (for the viewers) because first of all, we can give Zaijian any type of role knowing that he can effectively do it,” said Cris. “So it was not really that hard to think of new stories na dati mag-aalangan ka kasi baka di kayanin ng batang artista. This time, we’re certain that Zaijian can easily handle anything.”

What’s more challenging, Cris added, is to make sure the character would not look like a carbon copy of what Zaijian had done before. Interestingly, Cris has incorporated some of his childhood experiences in the story. “That’s another thing that made the task easier. Since Zaijian is a young boy, I put in the story some form of a boy’s play like ‘yung gagamba nauso yun dati pa.” It was displayed in the episode Gagambuboy that was aired last Saturday.

Of course, each story will not be complete without the televiewers learning a lesson or two. The show illustrates good values for the kiddie viewers to apply in their day-to-day lives.

Asked how he prepares for his roles, Zaijian answered, “Our director will explain what the story is all about. Tapos po nun pag sa taping na inaalalayan naman po at tsaka ako na lang po ang nag-iisip kung paano.”

Zaijian revealed that he never fails to include in his prayers his acting career. ”’Pag tuwing nagsisimba ako lagi kong sinasabi kay Lord na sana sumikat pa ko; sana di agad ako malaos. Dagdagan N’yo pa po ang talento ko.”

But it doesn’t mean Zaijian solely exerts his efforts in acting. He, too, devotes some time for studies and takes a break playing with his siblings and friends. He is now in Grade V at Angelicum with Makabayan as his favorite subject.

“I play bente uno with my friends, ‘yun pong magbibilang ka hanggang 21 ’pag huminto sayo matataya at magigng kakampi mo yung iba,” he patiently explained to the delight of everyone.

In Wansapanataym, televiewers will see how Zaijian deals with children his age in the coming episodes. Tomorrow, Jan. 12, Zaijian tackles sportsmanship in the episode titled No. 1 Father and Son. Epi Quizon will play as his father. Also in the cast are Christopher Roxas, Melai Cantiveros, Keanna Reeves and Jason Francisco. Among the upcoming episodes are Nicolas Layas and Kapitan Liit.

(Wansapanataym airs Saturday nights after Kapamilya: Deal or No Deal.)