Zaijian Jaranilla marks 21st 'MMK' episode with season finale

MANILA, July 27 ------ Fondly called “suki” by host Charo Santos, Zaijian Jaranilla marks his 21st  “Maalaala Mo Kaya” appearance with the finale of the show’s digital comeback season titled “Youth in Chains.”

In the episode, Jaranilla portrays a troubled youth who loses his way and ends up behind bars.

“Pang-onse siya sa 13 na magkakapatid. Mahigpit kasi pamilya, gusto ng tatay sila lang magtrabaho. Hanggang umabot sa point na sinusuway ‘yung magulang. Nag-rebelde, tinakwil ang magulang. Pinatunayan kaya niya mabuhay mag-isa. Hanggang sa nakapatay, nakulong. Pero at the end of the day andoon pa din family niya,” the young actor said in an interview held in Quezon City, Thursday.

While an “MMK” veteran, Jaranilla still faced challenges on set, particularly due to the mental toll of the role. “Mabigat ‘yung role and malalim ‘yung kwento. Kailangan aralin script, collab sa director, at mind condition sarili mo. Bago sa taping kailangan eto na mindset mo,” he explained. “Nag-ja-jump din mga shoot namin. First day sa set was nasa facility after niya makapatay. Kailangan andoon ka na sa point na ‘yun emotionally,” he added.

Though honored to lead the finale, he admitted feeling the pressure of closing out “MMK’s” latest run. “Hala season finale, kailangan ko pa galingan. Ganon. Dagdag pressure. Nakatulong siya sa akin,” he said “Sobrang thankful, nakonsider pa rin nila ako. Alam ng ’MMK’ mahal na mahal ko sila. Sa dami nagampanan ko hindi nila ako nakalimutan.

Like an acting workshop

Jaranilla believes “MMK” was an instrumental part of his growth as an actor. “May times nabakante ako, wala teleserye, pero ang dami ko ‘MMK.’ Parang workshop siya, iba-iba role nagagampanan ko. Sobrang laking tulong kasi na-e-explore ko roles, iba-iba atake. Ang laki tulong sa career,” he reasoned. “Versailtiliy as an actor makikita dito. Need mo talaga aralin script kasi totoong tao yun. Kailangan mo pag-igihin,” he added.

For the “May Bukas Pa” star, apart from pushing his craft, “MMK” also offered a different kind of fulfillment. “Malapit sa ‘kin. Totoo kasi kwento. Mahirap siya gawin. Pero at the end of the day ang sarap ng feeling pag natapos ng maganda and maayos… Mga ginampanan ko babaunin ko hanggang sa tumanda ako,” he enthused.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com