Zaijian Jaranilla, Jane Oineza to star in digital series about May-September affair

From playing the good boy Santino in the ABS-CBN drama series “May Bukas Pa” (2009), Zaijian Jaranilla will show, for the first time, his “most mature performance” in Puregold Channel’s digital series “Si Sol at Si Luna,” opposite Jane Oineza.

The Kapamilya actor was ecstatic to be taking on the bold role, but at the same time, he felt apprehensive as to how the audience would react to his character.

In the series, directed by Dolly Dulu, Zaijian and Jane shed their child-star images for roles steeped in emotional complexity and adult vulnerability. According to the media release, the series’ real power lies beyond the sensual as it explores grief, longing and the uncomfortable space between connection and timing.

As Sol (Zaijian), a film student seeking creative spark, falls for the older, emotionally scarred Luna (Jane), their relationship forces a confrontation with the hard truths of age, loss and love that doesn’t fit the mold.

The trailer of the series was unveiled during a recent press conference at the World Trade Center, Pasay City where it revealed Zaijian’s Sol having an intimate scene with Jane’s Luna.

“Na-warning-an niyo po ba yung mga batang kasama to watch the trailer?” Zaijian, 23, asked the attendees. “Mixed emotions — I’m happy and at the same time nervous. I’m happy because this is the first time that I’ve shown the people that I could also do that. It’s a huge step for me. I did it not only because of that scene but also because the series has a good material and a story that is worth doing.”

“Yung kaba naman, I don’t know kung anong reception ng tao once they watched it,” added he. “But mas nanaig yung feeling proud because I know that I gave my best in this series with my castmates.”

Jane, on the other hand, was grateful to be part of the show because it is one of the projects that she manifested. “I felt that the timing of the universe aligned — the sun and the moon — for this project to be filmed. I am glad that I’m part of this and thrilled for you guys to watch it.”

“Si Sol at Si Luna” tells the May-September love affair of the two actors, according to direk Dolly, who wrote the script back in 2017. It was based on direk Dolly’s personal experience. “That was the time that I wanted to process how a 30-year-old person fell in love with someone who’s younger, 18 years old. It’s not like a May-December love affair but more like a May-September (romance).”

The cast of the digital series, with producer Chris Cahilig and director Dolly Dulu, at the presscon and poster reveal at the World Trade Center, Pasay City.

On how the two pulled off their kissing scene, teamwork was the key, stated Jane. “It takes two to tango because it’s needed for the scene. Even though I did it before, it’s our first time to do this kind of scene (with Zaijian). It’s always, of course, you have to know your co-actor and what helps them.”

“We enjoyed doing the series. Nandun yung alalay because it’s Zaijian’s first time. Direk Dolly and I were there as professionals (to assist him).”

Zaijian stressed that “connection and communication” was vital for the scene.

“Honestly, when we did the scene, di talaga ako mapakali. Direk Dolly felt it — yung bigat na it was very difficult for me. I was thinking like, ‘Can I pull this off?’ But because of the help of direk Dolly and Ate Jane, it became easy.”

Queried if he also experienced doing the same scene in real life, he simply answered, “What I can say is I know how to kiss. Sorry, but is my answer correct? I can’t really tell if I did it or not in real life.”

But Zaijian admitted that at his age, he already experienced love and he was able to apply such experience to his character as Sol.

As for Jane, she shared that her boyfriend RK Bagatsing had seen the trailer already. “Ni-like niya,” Jane said with a laugh. “He said it’s beautiful. And he’s proud that I’m part of the series kasi ang ganda ng trailer, story and the characters.”

Joining Zaijian and Jane in the series are Joao Constancia, Uzziel Delamide, Vaughn Piczon, Lyle Viray, Jem Manicad, Marnie Lapus and the breakout star, Atasha Franco.

“Si Sol at Si Luna” will drop its very first episode on the Puregold Channel on YouTube on May 31, with a new episode set to be released every Saturday thereafter.

Meanwhile, Bea Alonzo, the rumored girlfriend of Puregold Price Club Inc. president Ferdinand Vincent Co., was also spotted at the event. She came as a guest, along with other celebrities, for the brand’s Sari-Sari Store Convention 2025.