Former child star Zaijian Jaranilla stepped in to defend 12-year-old actor Kanye Avendaño against remarks made during a media press conference for their upcoming film Guryon on October 17, 2026.
Screengrab: Chantal Showbiz Portal/Instagram
After hearing a reporter ask Kanye if he had plans of joining Vivamax—a dominant platform for adult-oriented, risqué, and softcore Filipino films—when he grew older, Zaijian immediately took the mic to remind members of the press to refrain from asking minors indecent questions.
“Underage pa po si Kanye, kaya ingat po sa mga ganong tanong,” Zaijian stated.
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After getting called out, the reporter apologized and retracted the question, claiming he was just joking. However, netizens on social media did not buy the interviewer’s explanation.
“‘Pag na-call out, sasabihin joke lang, tapos ‘pag ‘di tinanggap, sensitive? Lumang mentalidad na ‘yan, uso ngayon ang accountability at basic respect,” an X user wrote.
“What a weird question to ask a 12-year-old,” another netizen on X chimed in.
zaijian jaranilla: “underage pa po si kanye kaya ingat po sa mga ganong tanong” what a weird ass question to ask sa 12 years old https://t.co/oOV5Y0Uhq6
— church boi santino (@childstarchive) October 20, 2026
Meanwhile, netizens applauded Zaijian’s bravery and maturity in handling the situation, praising him for stepping up as a big brother to Kanye.
“Good job, Zaijian. Recently, I’ve been more and more disappointed at how unsafe showbiz is for actors, especially women and minors. There really is a predatory system in showbiz perpetuated by management, production, co-actors, the press, and media. It’s high time people stop laughing and start making these weirdos feel uncomfortable,” a netizen noted on X.
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“Imagine sexualizing someone in public & worse, a minor! Kudos to Zaijian for calling that out!” another reply read.
“Buti na lang naandito si Zaijian kasi ‘yung ibang adults tumawa lang din, tapos pumalakpak pa,” a TikTok comment pointed out.
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Kanye also took to social media to express his appreciation for Zaijian, sharing the press conference video alongside a heartfelt thank-you message for the May Bukas Pa star.
“Maraming salamat po talaga, Kuya Zaijian Jaranilla,” the young actor wrote on TikTok.
Footage of the interview has since gone viral across social media, with many calling on the young actor’s talent agency and production outfits to take stronger measures—and potential action—against unprofessional members of the press.
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