It’s a brand-new Zaijian Jaranilla and a strikingly different Jane Oineza that fans will see in Puregold Channel’s much-anticipated digital series, “Si Sol at si Luna.”
Zaijian, who once captured hearts as the cherubic Santino in the heartwarming series “May Bukas Pa,” now bares heart, soul — and a little skin — as Sol, a young man who falls for Luna (played by Jane), a grief-stricken woman older than him.
The series, directed by Dolly Dulu, gave Zaijian the chance to show his range. “Thankful ako kung paano n’yo ako nakilala,” he shared, “pero gusto ko ring ma-try at ma-experience ‘yung iba’t ibang roles talaga, dahil iba ‘yung pakiramdam kapag gumaganap ka ng ibang karakter, sobrang satisfying po niya.”
On filming kissing scenes with Jane, Zaijian admitted to feeling some jitters. “Hindi ko talaga akalain na gagawin ko ‘yun,” he said. “Honestly, noong gagawin na namin ‘yung eksena, hindi talaga ako mapakali, ramdam ni Direk Dolly ‘yung bigat na… sobrang hirap po talaga para sa akin ng eksena. Parang ‘mapu-pull-off ko ba ‘to?’” He added, “Pero ‘yun, dahil sa tulong din ni Direk Dolly, ni Ate Jane, sobra akong nadalian sa eksena.”
When teased about his kissing prowess, the 23-year-old actor replied, “Ang masasabi ko lang is marunong po akong humalik.”
Jane, who also began as a child actress, gave props to her co-star and director. “Teamwork ‘yon. It takes two to tango,” she said. “Kailangan sa eksena. Kahit naman may nagawa akong ganoon before, first time rin namin ‘yung gagawin na kami ang nasa eksena, so it’s always something new. You have to get to know your co-actor and what helps. “Of course, naroon ‘yung alalay kasi first time ni Zaijian. And andoon naman kami ni Direk Dolly as professionals. So, nabantayan naman ‘yung eksena at saka everything was professional.”
The series was officially introduced last Friday at the World Trade Center in Pasay. Originally conceptualized as an entry for Puregold’s CinePanalo film festival, “Si Sol at si Luna” did not make the official lineup. But its journey didn’t end there. As festival director Chris Cahilig explained, the story found new life in series form. “It’s about finding the right place for a material,” he said. “Naghahanap kami ng tamang material for a series. Meron kaming FOMO (fear of missing out) sa script na ‘yun. Part ng ‘CinePanalo,’ one of the strongest scripts… Hindi mawala sa utak namin. Gusto namin siyang makita. When we were reading the script, it was so beautiful. Nagkataon na willing ipahiram ni Direk Dolly ang kanyang script… it was re-written. Same concept, same everything, but for a 13-episode series.”
Cahilig also emphasized Puregold’s growing commitment to the entertainment arts, with its innovative Puregold Channel and the CinePanalo film festival giving space to both industry veterans, students and budding talents. “Bakit si Puregold nandito sa gantong industriya? Puregold is a pioneer of retail-tainment. Ang retail-tainment ay pag-provide ng isang avenue for retail and entertainment para sa ating mga ka-Puregold online. Syempre, online ang raming content, Gusto naming i-level up ‘yung content. [With ‘Si Sol at si Luna,’ we present something] Very cinematic kahit isang season lang siya, 13 episodes, at may 25-30 minute na script.”
The real strength of “Si Sol at si Luna” lies in its emotional depth as it explores grief, longing and the often-messy space between connection and timing. As Zaijian’s Sol, a film student searching for creative inspiration, becomes entangled with Jane’s Luna, an emotionally scarred woman still healing from loss, their unlikely bond forces them to confront the limits of age, pain, and love that refuses to fit the mold.
For Ivy Hayagan-Piedad, Puregold’s senior marketing manager, the show stands out for its emotional authenticity. “At its core, the series is about love — but not the kind that comes easy,” she said. “It asks: Where do we find love? What do we do with it when it comes at the most unexpected time? Luna’s story is about loving through grief. Sol’s is about loving through transformation. Whether love can survive both—that’s the question the audience will ponder on.”
The series also stars Joao Constancia, Uzziel Delamide, Vaughn Piczon, Lyle Viray, Jem Manicad, Marnie Lapus, and Atasha Franco.
“Si Sol at si Luna” premieres May 31 and is free to stream on the Puregold Channel on YouTube. New episodes drop every Saturday at 7 p.m.
