SANTINO of May Bukas Pa

No amount of work load could stop these three stars from going back to school this year.

Amid their busy schedules, Zaijan Jaranilla, a.k.a. Santino, Erich Gonzales and Coco Martin were among the millions of youngsters who would troop to their respective schools Monday.

“Miracle boy” Jaranilla,7, said he is excited to go back to school. The “May Bukas Pa” lead star said he is intent on finishing his studies because, like any other child his age, he wants to become a doctor someday.

"Para po makatulong sa mga batang may sakit," said Jaranilla.

Last school year, the child actor and commercial model was one of the top 10 students in his class.

The next Korina Sanchez

Meantime, 17-year-old Gonzales would become busy not just with show business but with school works as well starting this month.

The lead star of "Katorse," an ABS-CBN’s upcoming television series, said she is a regular student at Trinity University of Asia in Quezon City.

"I'm second year college na taking up mass communication," Gonzales said.

She said she decided to take up mass communication because ever since she was young she dreamed of becoming a broadcast journalist like idols Korina Sanchez and Karen Davila.

"And perfect na din for my work kasi connected, hindi ba?" she said.

The teen actress admitted that it is not easy being an actress and a student at the same time. She said what is important is that she knows how to manage her time.

For Gonzales, finishing her education will be her most important achievement in life.

"Ako naman po nakakayanan ko naman. School muna bago taping…. if there's a will, there's a way. Kung gusto mo talaga ang isang bagay, gagawa ka ng paraan," she said.

Passion

Aside from acting, cooking is another passion of award winning actor Martin.

"Plano kong mag-culinary if ever na magkaroon ng chance kasi mahilig talaga akong magluto at ang lola ko cook talaga. So kung bibigyan ako ng pagkakataon, [why not?]" Martin said.

Martin also explained that it is important for him to finish his studies because he wants to have another career aside from being an actor. He said having a diploma is important especially if he is no longer active in showbiz.

The actor said he is also planning to enroll in a personality development program to further boost his confidence.

Dubbed as the "Prince of Indie," Martin first movie was “Masahista,” which won him the Young Critics Circle Best Actor Award in 2006. He also starred in “Kaleldo,” “Daybreak,” “Serbis,” Tambolista” and “Jay.” His first big television break was "Ligaw na Bulaklak."

Currently, Martin is busy taping for ABS-CBN's hit series "Tayong Dalawa."

as of 06/01/2009 3:37 PM