‘May nagpaparamdam but I don’t wanna encourage them kasi ang concentration ko lang ngayon is my career — Jillian Ward’
JILLIAN Ward is now one of the hottest GMA teen stars with the huge success of her afternoon drama series, “Abot Kamay na Pangarap.”
It started airing in September and after nine long months, it is still rating very high. There are times when its ratings are even higher than Kapuso shows on primetime. No wonder it just keeps on being extended when most GMA dramas now run for only a minimum of three months.
Jillian started as a child actress when she was only five years old in shows like “Trudis Liit” and “Daldalita.” She never experienced taking a vacation while on that awkward tween stage as she continues to have shows all throughout her career, like “Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko” and the two seasons of “Prima Donnas.”
Jillian turned 18 years old last February. She’s lucky GMA-7 gave her a great role in “Abot Kamay na Pangarap” as Analyn Santos, the daughter of Carmina Villaroel who proved to be a child prodigy and became a doctor in her teens who encounters a lot of trials in her personal life and career.
“I’m really so happy and thankful to GMA for giving me this great character na naging malaki ang impact sa viewers,” she says. “It’s also a good transition for me from my former child star image to playing a more mature role. I’d also like to thank Tita Carmina who plays my mom dahil napakalaki ng tulong niya sa akin para magampanan ko effectively ang character ni Analyn.”
After she turned 18, folks want to know if she’s ready to accept suitors. “Wala nga akong time matulog dahil sa trabaho, suitors pa?” she laughs. “May nagpaparamdam but I don’t wanna encourage them kasi ang concentration ko lang ngayon is my career. Darating din ang love life sa tamang panahon, kapag ready na talaga ako.”
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Kim Chiu is the new endorser of Sisters Sanitary Napkins and Pantyliners. Megasoft Hygienic Products VP Aileen Choi-Go says they got Kim as she has admirable qualities.
“She’s a good actress, a great host, a fine businesswoman. May building nga sa Cagayan de Oro na balak ko sanang bilihin, pero naunahan niya ako. And she’s a really generous sister to all her siblings, lalo sa sister niyang nagkasakit at binantayan niya talaga hanggang gumaling. Kaya bagay lang talaga siyang maging endorser ng Sisters Sanitary Napkins and Pantyliner,” says Aileen Choi-Go.
Kim felt so happy when they got her as endorser. “When they offered it to me, yes agad ako kasi I really believe in the product. Isa pa, friend ko na talaga si Atchi Aileen.
Nagkasundo kami agad kasi pareho kaming Chinese at pareho ring Bisaya. Also, I really look forward sa program nila that tours schools all over the country.”
This visit to schools stopped during the pandemic but they’re about to resume it soon. “I want to meet all the young women who are experiencing puberty. Kasi ako, when I first had my monthly period, I was in grade 6 at nasa school ako. My classmates made fun of me as I was not aware na nagkaroon pala ako. After that, two weeks akong hindi pumasok sa school kasi I don’t know how to handle it, how I would react. So I want to explain to these young girls that they have no reason to be afraid as it is all part of being a woman.”
Kim continues to be so busy. She has three new projects this year. And she’s now taping one of them, the drama series “Linlang” with Maricel Soriano, Paulo Avelino and JM De Guzman.
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Lizzie Aguinaldo the great, great granddaughter of first Pres. Emilio Aguinaldo is joining showbiz. She just launched her first single, “Baka Pwede Na,” with lyrics and music by award-winning songwriter Joven Tan, and released by Star Music. How did her family react when she told them she’s joining showbusiness?
“They were shocked, kasi ako pa lang sa family namin ang first na nag-showbiz,” she says.
“But they understand naman na dream ko talaga ito, to be a singer and now, they’re very supportive.”
Lizzie turned 15 on January 21. The third of five kids, she is now in grade 9 at the British International School which put up their own billboard congratulating Lizzie for her debut single.
“Nagulat nga po ako,” she beams. “Kasi ‘yung billboard kasing laki ng bahay namin.
Nakakatuwa.”
She has a fairly easy entry in showbiz. A family friend introduced her to Tan who quickly composed a song for her. Let’s make way for Lizzie Aguinaldo, whose first single “Baka Pwede Na” is now on various radio stations nationwide.
