From starting out her career as a child star at five years old in the 2010 remake of Trudis Liit, actress Jillian Ward has blossomed into a young woman who looks forward to doing more challenging roles this year. Starting this year, Jillian revealed she has moved out of their family home and has gotten her own place in the city. 

“So far, I’m learning a lot. Talagang daming nag-ta-transform sa buhay ko. I feel like I’m maturing. This year actually, sina-start ko na yung pagiging independent. I’m staying sa sarili kong unit, ganyan. And meron din akong bagong project, yung My Ilonggo Girl. So lahat bago and ang dami ko talagang natututunan so far kahit January pa lang,” she told ABS-CBN in an exclusive interview after being launched as a Premier Drip’s S-Acetyl Glutathione endorser last January 29. 

With her standout roles as a child star, Jillian admitted it was a bit hard for her fans to get used to seeing her in more mature roles and that she actually went through an awkward phase, which is normal for most child stars.

“Actually, nung una naging mahirap talaga siya kasi nagkakaroon ako ng awkward stage nung mga 10 to actually 17 years old awkward stage ko yun. Pero nung ginawa ko yung Abot Kamay Na Pangarap, yun talaga yung project na naging sobrang supportive yung mga tao. And slowly, natatanggap na po nila na nagdadalaga na ako and 20 na ako next month,” she shared. 

Despite all this, the talented actress said she still appreciates the support and concern from her fans and just always tries to remind them about her current age. 

“I went through an awkward stage talaga. Sa projects medyo nahirapan sila kasi hindi nila alam kung ano yung bagay na roles, kung pambata ba or dalaga na, ganyan. Nung mga time na yun, sabi ko talaga sa sarili ko, alagaan ko lang yung sarili ko. Minsan may mga comments pa rin na naiisip nila na mga 13 years old pa rin ako, ganun. Parang hindi sila sanay sa mga roles ko or minsan sa mga sinusuot ko. Hindi sila sana y pagka naka ganito (gown) ako na pananamit. So rini-remind ko sila na hala, guys, mag-te-20 na ako next month (laughs)!” she added. 

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As the kapamilya network continues its collaborations with GMA, the Sparkle artist also revealed which stars she would love to get the chance to work with in projects in the near future.

“Gusto ko maka-work si meme Vice (Ganda), sobra! Kapag nagkikita kami talagang napaka-sweet niya sa akin kaya sobrang mahal na mahal ko siya, si Coco Martin, pati sila sir John Lloyd Cruz, gusto ko talaga maka-work lahat lalo na po ngayon na mas open na talaga ang GMA at ABS-CBN sa isa’t isa,” she admitted.  

JIllian Ward was born in 2005 to a Filipiino father Elson Penzon and a Filipino-American mother Jennifer Ward-Penzon. She first made her onscreen debut in a powdered milk commercial before getting the title role in the 2010 comedy Trudis Liit followed by several leading roles in kapuso network daytime dramas.