Is Zaijan overworked?
by: Edgar O. Cruz | STIR Editor (Chief Agitator)
8 May 2009 | 09:55 AM

Seven-year-old Zaijan Jaranilla says during a “May Bukas Pa” shoot, “Tulog na tayo. Antay na lang natin ang cutoff time tapos uwian na tayo.” It was 1:30am.

Being a minor, is Zaijan Jaranilla working beyond 10pm? This can’t be as ABS-CBN strictly observes the 10pm cutoff for minor talents. Can he be overworked then?

This writer noticed this in Zaijan’s photo with STIR Contributor Justin John Mata taken at the Miracle Boy’s solo press conference for “May Bukas Pa” last Wednesday afternoon Having the photo taken with stars is a freebie receive by invitees get to some ABS-CBN Corporate Communications media huddle. Zaijan looks like a ventriloquist’s puppet on Justin’s lap. And Justin’s not overweight.

“May Bukas Pa” PR Manager Lorie Piravalasamy comments about Zaijian's loss of weight as observed by this writer, “Di naman. Ganun din siya noong una ko siyang makita. Hindi naman talaga tabain ang bata. Kung makikita mo ang tatay niya, ganoon din structure ng katawan.”

Lorie adds, “At saka ang likut-likot daw sabi ng tatay. Typical na bata. Di nga alam meaning ng sikat.”

Zenon Jaranilla, Zaijan’s father, is about 5’ in height, a thin man. Zenon is separated from Zaijan’s mother and takes care of their brood of four with his own mother (Zaijan’s grandmother). Zaijan who is the family bread winner, is the eldest.

When asked about it, Justin explains Zaijan shoots only three times a week and is already asleep by 10:30pm according to his dad who he met during Zaijan’s solo presscon.