Jillian Ward charms Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - “Mama, ano nga yun ulit sa Cebuano  ang ‘Magandang hapon sa inyong lahat?’” the ever-hyper child actress Jillian Ward bugs her mother with the question for at least the third time while waiting her turn to mount the stage in a recent Kapuso mall show at the SM City Cebu Event Centre.

Jillian was together with elder network colleagues Luis Alandy, Nadine Samonte and Kevin Santos (newly heartbroken Jennylyn Mercado, plugged as part of the line-up of celeb guests was a no-show) in another one of GMA 7’s promotional visits to the Queen City of the South that we notice is getting to be much more frequent this year.

“Maayong hapon sa inyong tanan…,”  replies Jennifer Ward to her precocious little bundle, who then prances about backstage while practicing the line again and again.

What a pro, right? At six years old, Jillian already knows what it takes to charm an out-of-town crowd by speaking in their dialect, diligently rehearsing her Bisaya greeting without being told to do so. And charm the audience she did, throwing kisses and waving to fans while singing her signature songs “Tomorrow” and “Isang Lahi.” She also called forward a fan her age that she singled out because the girl sported bangs similar to hers.

Without missing a beat, she delivers her prepared promotional spiel “Sana po suportahan niyo po yung Captain Barbell kasi maganda po siya at ma-i-in love po kayo ni teacher Althea dahil sa akin!” The teacher Althea she’s referring to is a character portrayed by Lovi Poe in “Captain Barbell: Ang Pagbabalik”, one of Richard Guiterrez’s love interests among a bunch of beautiful actresses. Jillian here plays Lelay, sidekick and adoptive sister of the returning superhero.

Charming, witty, and a certified livewire, Jillian — who was discovered in a toddler milk commercial as that kid belting out “Mama said ‘Don’t eat your words.’ She said, “I have a beautiful voice!’” — is certainly one of today’s most popular child stars, starring in one TV series and movie after another.

After spotting the tot in that ad, GMA 7 wasted no time in casting her as Trudis in the TV remake of the movie “Trudis Liit,” where she gained strong recall and endeared herself to viewers with that character’s famous dialogue “And’yan na po…” As the series became an afternoon hit, she was right after assigned another lead as a magical doll in the Christmas special “Jillian: Namamasko Po!” with Claudine Barretto and Michael V. Jillian has also just starred in the movies “Si Agimat at Si Enteng Kabisote” and “My Valentine Girls.”

And before she grows out of her cute phase and into that awkward stage of pubescence, there will surely be more projects lined up for this child wonder. Because aside from her talent, we hear Jillian is a director’s delight what with her boundless energy and ability to memorize lines quickly. While her elder co-actors are already exhausted on set, Jillian is still up and about like an energizer bunny perking up the people in her company.

While trying to ask what her favorite subjects are (she is home-schooled) and how her newborn sister is (“Ok lang po siya. Mataba at sobrang cute po at love na love ko po! Bawal ko pa po siya kargahin pero niyayakap ko siya.”), she took a fancy at this writer’s pen and notebook, wiggled it out of our hands and began drawing on its pages. “Huwag kang gumalaw,” she tells a playmate backstage, attempting to create a portrait of her instant friend.

We didn’t wish to intrude on the young female bonding going on, so we turned our attention on her Fil-Am Mama Jennifer to learn more about Jillian. She recalls that as early as two years old, Jillian already manifested signs of wanting to be a performer. When the tot would see a commercial, she would point at the TV set and tell her, “Mama, gusto ko nang ganyan.” She would also catch her second daughter looking at herself in the mirror while singing and pretending to be someone else. When outside, Jillian would also wave and say hello to everyone, like she was already a star.

How does she ensure Jillian doesn’t miss out on her precious childhood with all her obligations as a contract artist? “If there’s a child in our neighborhood who wants to play with her, I let her play. And if there are toys that she really wants, we buy it for her kasi kailangan din niya yon eh. She also plays with her siblings,” says the proud mom. “But we don’t spoil her. I also say no kapag hindi talaga tama. Kung hindi naman talaga dapat bilhin, I say no talaga.”

While Jillian is well aware of her stardom and quite admittedly enjoys being surrounded by admirers, Mama Jennifer sees to it that her feet remain planted firmly on the ground by teaching her good values. She tries her very best to drum into her head that even if she was popular or will become even more popular in the future, “dapat maging humble siya palagi.”

It’s also extra effort on her part to prevent feelings of sibling jealousy on the part of her nine-year-old daughter Janelle Anika especially that most of her time is spent accompanying Jillian to tapings, provincial shows and other time-consuming commitments.

“I told her sister, you have to be happy that Jillian is blessed, because at the same time, you’re also blessed. Jillian’s achievements are also your achievements because you’re sisters. Naiintindihan niya naman.”

She makes it up to her eldest by treating her out on dates that include just the two of them, so they could also spend quality time together.

Janelle shows zero interest in being an actress and their youngest is still a baby, so Jillian is undoubtedly the star in the family. But, she equally sees all her kids as treasures in her life. “I feel super happy and blessed. Even my eldest daughter is accelerated in school, so I’m really very blessed with my kids. I’m very thankful, and there’s nothing else I can wish for, aside from good health for me and my family.”

With a supportive family and a happy home front, no wonder Jillian is the confident charmer that she is!