"Lorenzo's Time" star Zaijian Jaranilla. File photo

MANILA, Philippines - "Lorenzo's Time" star Zaijian Jaranilla was all smiles after hearing praises from veteran actress Gina Pareño, who said that he could be the next John Lloyd Cruz.

"Siyempre po proud po ako kasi si John Lloyd Cruz sikat. Kaya parang proud ako na na magiging John Lloyd Cruz ako paglaki ko," Jaranilla told ABS-CBNnews.com.

"Opo [idol ko po siya] at saka si Vhong Navarro," he added.

Aside from comparing him to Cruz, Pareño also said of Jaranilla: "Alam mo kakaibang bata ere, child wonder. Yan ang John Lloyd nating bata. Pero eleven pa lang yan kapag nagbinatilyo yan mga 16, John Lloyd Cruz."

Dubbed as the country's all-time Box Office King, Cruz is known not only for his hit films but also for his superior acting skills.

Happy, sad

Jaranilla said he is both happy and sad that his show, "Lorenzo's Time," is nearing its end.

“Siyempre po malungkot pero masayang-masaya pa rin kami kahit matatapos na. At proud kasi nakatrabaho ko si Tita Carmina (Villaroel), si Tita Gina (Pareño) at lahat po ng artista sa [show]. Masayang masaya po kami dito kahit matatapos,” he said.

He said that he will really miss being with his co-stars.

"Yung 'pag nasa set kami lagi kaming masaya at nagkukulitan. Siyempre mami-miss ko si Tita Carmina, si Tita Gina, si Belle Mariano, si Tito Alfred Vargas, si Tito Rommel Padilla at Tita Amy Austria, sila po lahat mami-miss ko sila lahat," he said.

"Lorenzo's Time" airs on weekdays after "Walang Hanggan" as part of ABS-CBN's primetime block.