“Zaijian “Santino” Jaranilla’s Happiest Birthday”

            Happy birthday! The greeting is a prayer to a friend or a loved one for happiness on the special day – the anniversary of the day that he is born. Of course, the simple fact that God has given you another year is worth to be thankful for!   But, as ordinary human beings, the equation for happiness on one’s natal day is usually attributed to material things being prayed for to God and becoming a reality on this special day.

             One taping day before his 8^th birthday, Zaijian talked to me in his casual self and told me, “Lolo egay, malapit na po ang birthday ko, hay, makapunta na rin ako sa Hong Kong!”. Those patented expressive innocent eyes of Zaijian could not deny the fact that he was looking forward to celebrating his happiest birthday courtesy of ABS-CBN: a Hong Kong vacation!

             I asked him when will he be going to Hong Kong and he related to me that he would leave for Hong Kong on August 21 a friday and would be back late on August 23, his birthday. I made a follow  query on who would be joining him and the little boy who I regard as my apo on the set, confided to me that the entire family – his father, mother and two younger brothers Bombay and Micmic will. All expenses paid for by ABS-CBN. Of course, a Hong Kong Disneyland visit was suppose to highlight the little boy’s Hong Kong vacation!

             Two weeks before his birthday, the ABS-CBN had launched a promo where children would have the chance to join Zaijian in celebrating his birthday at the Manila Ocean Park on August 29. The children had to send a text message and then lucky winners would be drawn from among those who texted.

             Cast of May Bukas Pa were given invitations to join the Manila Ocean Park birthday celebration of Zaijian. However, at the last minute, we got a text message asking if we were also available to appear in Wowowee that Saturday, August 29 to greet Zaijian happy birthday.

             It was 11:30 a.m.when I arrived at the ELJ Building for a 12:00 noon calltime at Wowowee. Ever reliable Ellese Fernandez – one of the Production Assistants of May Bukas Pa, assisted me to the Wowowee Studio. On our way to the studio, Lito Pimentel texted that he was already in the parking area, so Ellese went back to fetch him. When Ellese returned, Lito Pimentel and Ruben Gonzaga were with her already. When we reached the Wowowee studio, Bentong had a little chat with us. I was waiting for my chance to greet my friend Pokwang when the Production Assistant of Wowowee ushered us to our Dressing Room. Funny, but we had to hide along to way when he saw Zaijian! You see, our presence in Wowowee was suppose to be a surprise for Zaijian.

             At the Dressing Room, Dominic Ochoa and Ron Morales joined us. We stayed only for about 5 minutes at the  Dressing Room when the Production Assistant called us to be on the stage already. Mariel Rodriguez was interviewing Zaijian about his Hong Kong trip. Then, she told him that there are people close to him who would greet him Happy Birthday! On cue, we Dominic Ochoa, Lito Pimentel, Ruben Gonzaga, Gio Marcelo, Ron Morales and myself joined Mariel and Zaijian on the stage and we greeted Zaijian. 

            After the segment, we had to rush to Manila Ocean Park. Lito, Ruben and Gio decided to join me in my car instead of bringing their cars. At the Ocean Park, there was a bee line of the children who were the lucky winners who would be joining Zaijian in his birthday celebration at the registration table. The children were chaperoned by parents and relatives. There were overflowing food and drinks for the guests. A few minutes before 3:00 p.m.,  the guests were ushered from the dining area to the adjacent hall which was the venue for Zaijian’s birthday program.

             The program was hosted by Laila Chikadora. Bianca Gonzales was also around to host the live feed of the birthday celebration to the show – Entertainment Live!

             In the course of the program, Laila Chikadora asked Zaijian, “ano pa ba ang wish mo para maging happy ka sa 8^th  birthday mo?”. Zaijian answered back in all honesty, “wala na po!” 

            Indeed,  for Zaijian “Santino” Jarinilla his 8^th birthday is his happiest! I am sure, with God’s graces it will be surpassed with more happy birthdays in  the years to come!