Star of the New Generation Jillian Ward recently shared her journey toward independence, reflecting on how this new chapter allows her to explore the complexities of love and relationships. 

Emphasizing the importance of self-discovery, Jillian expressed how stepping away from her family's influence has empowered her to better understand her feelings and desires. 

As she navigates the exciting yet challenging world of romance, the Kapuso actress embraces the opportunity to grow as an individual while opening her heart to the possibilities of falling in love.

"Independent na po ako ngayon. May sarili na akong space. Yun ang gift ko sa sarili ko. After work, doon talaga ako pumupunta. Nandoon na rin ang mga gamit ko. Pero umuuwi pa rin ako sa family house namin kasi hindi ko pa talaga kaya mag-isa. Ang hirap ng nagigising na walang pagkain. (I'm independent now. I have my own space. That's my gift to myself. After work, that's where I go. My things are there too. But I still go home to our family house because I can't really be alone yet. It's hard to wake up without food)," said Jillian during an interview for her latest series "My Ilonggo Girl" held at Luxent Hotel in Quezon City.

"May yaya naman ako pero purposely naka-lock lang talaga ako sa space ko. Pahinga lang talaga ako. Feeling ko talaga independent na ako pero lahat ng kilos ko naka-update sa nanay ko. (I have a nanny but I purposely locked myself in my space. I'm just resting. I feel like I'm independent now but all my actions are updated with my mother.)

"Pinipilit ko talaga na maging adult na ako pero may nakatagong CCTV doon na nilagay ng nanay ko. May freedom na ako ngayon pero hindi ko pa talaga kayang humiwalay sa kanila. Madalas one day lang ako sa unit ko tapos uuwi na ako sa amin. (I'm really trying to be an adult but there's a hidden CCTV there that my mother installed. I have freedom now but I can't really separate myself from them. I usually spend one day in my unit and then I go home to my family.)

"Sa sobrang dami kong gamit, yung family house namin puro gamit ko na lang. Hindi ko matiis si mama. So, I'm semi-independent. (Because I have so many things, our family house is all about my stuff. I miss my mom. So, I'm semi-independent)," Jillian said.

Jillian enjoys being a workaholic. After her three-year stint in "Abot Kamay na Pangarap," the young star said she started shooting for "My Ilonggo Girl." In between, she also finished a movie.

"Akala ko nga after 'Abot Kamay Na Pangarap' makakapagpahinga ako ng three months. Pero iba pala ang plano ni God sa akin.  After 'Abot Kamay,' nakapagshoot pa po ako ng movie. (I thought that after 'Abot Kamay Na Pangarap' I would be able to rest for three months. But God had different plans for me. After 'Abot Kamay,' I was able to shoot a movie).

"Proud po ako sa movie na yun. Hindi ko pa napapanood ng buo yung movie dahil ine-edit pa nila. Pero masaya po ako sa performance ko roon. Sana po panoorin nila. Parang dalawang linggo lang ang pahinga ko. (I'm proud of that movie. I haven't watched the whole movie yet because they're still editing it. But I'm happy with my performance in it. I hope they watch it. It seems like I only had two weeks off.)

"Noong Pasko, kasama ko ang family ko. Kumain at nagluto lang kami. Nag-music sa bahay. (On Christmas, I was with my family. We just ate and cooked. We played music at home)," said Jillian when asked how she celebrated the holidays.

First serious love team

Jillian mentioned that this would be her first experience in a love team for a television series. She is partnered with Michael Dager, who portrays her love interest in the romantic comedy program. Jillian expressed that she still feels awkward during the intimate scenes with Michael, but she said that Michael makes her feel comfortable.

"Michael makes sure na comfortable ako. Kinakausap niya ako at mine-message niya ako. Mahiyain pa rin kasi talaga ako. May side pa rin ako na bigla akong tahimik sa isang sulok. (Michael makes sure I'm comfortable. He talks to me and messages me. I'm still really shy. I still have a side where I suddenly go quiet in a corner.)

"Attentive rin naman siya. Dahil comfortable naman kami sa isa't isa, may chemistry naman kami. She did not plan to be in a love team. But then I realized gusto ko rin ma-explore ang iba't ibang character. (He's also attentive. Because we're comfortable with each other, we have chemistry. I didn't plan to be in a love team. But then I realized I also wanted to explore different characters.)

Falling in love

For the first time, Jillian found the courage to share her feelings about experiencing love. She reflected on the moment her heart began to flutter and how the joyous warmth of that connection transformed her world. 

Jillian unveiled the vulnerability and excitement that accompanied her journey, revealing the depths of her emotions in a way she had never done before.

"Tinanong ko na rin yan sa aking mama. Nakaka-inspire rin naman ang may kilig sa life pero kung darating man, hayaan ko raw na ma-in love ako. Enjoy ko raw yun habang bata pa ako. Kung masaktan man matututo raw ako sa experience sa buhay. Mas open ako this year. (I asked my mom about that too. It's inspiring to have excitement in life, but if it comes, I should let myself fall in love. I should enjoy it while I'm still young. Even if I get hurt, I'll learn from life's experiences. I'm more open this year).

"Binibiro nga ako ng mga kaibigan ko sabi nila puro raw mga pusa ang kasama ko at kinakausap po. Apat silang pusa na lagi kong kinakausap. (My friends used to joke about me, saying that I only have cats with me and talk to them. There are four cats that I always talk to.)

"Nasanay na rin ako na growing up strict ang parents ko at parang baby nila ako. Pero ngayon binibigyan na nila ako ng freedom. So tingnan natin this year. At kapag nagkaroon ako noon, siyempre ipapakilala ko agad sa inyo. (I'm also used to my parents being strict growing up and treating me like their baby. But now they're giving me freedom. So let's see this year. And if I have one, of course I'll introduce you to them right away)," Jillian said.

On Feb 23, Jillian will turn 20 as she celebrates her birthday. "Dito lang ako (sa Pilipinas) pero may taping ako. Masayang masaya ako kapag may work. Feeling ko magkakasakit ako kapag walang work. (I'm just here (in the Philippines) but I'm taping. I'm happy when I have work. I feel like I'll get sick when I don't have work).

"Kapag pumupunta ako ng abroad, work pa rin ang iniisip ko. Baka pwede kahit one week na vacation. Malay niyo, doon ko pala ma-meet siya. (When I go abroad, I still think about work. Maybe even a one-week vacation will do. Who knows, I'll meet him there)," she said.

Jillian stated that it doesn't matter if the guy is from showbiz; what’s important is that he is God-fearing.

"Sa akin kahit ano ang ibibigay sa akin ni God. Gusto ko God-fearing siya. Kapag God-fearing everything else follows. Iba pa rin kapag respectful ang tao. Tapos gagawa siya ng effort para kilalanin niya ang family ko. Na-i-in-love ako kapag super bait sa family ko. (For me, whatever God gives me, I want him to be God-fearing. When he's God-fearing, everything else follows. It's still different when the person is respectful. Then he'll make an effort to get to know my family. I fall in love when he's super kind to my family).

Asked if she has fallen in love, Jillian answered: "Kayo talaga. Syempre, tao lang din. Pero wala pa talagang serious relationship. a totoo lang kapag may mga scenes na super lapit kami ni Michael (Sager), medyo naiilang pa rin ako kasi nasanay ako na walang leading man. Parang bata ang nga role ko roon. Pero now parang Version 2.0. Dalaga roles na ako ngayon. It's time na talaga to grow and explore." (Of course, we're only human. But there's no real serious relationship yet. To be honest, when there are scenes where Michael (Sager) and I are super close, I still feel a little isolated because I'm used to not having a leading man. My role there was like a child. But now it's like Version 2.0. I'm playing young roles now. It's really time to grow and explore).

My Ilonggo Girl

GMA Public Affairs kicks off the new year with an exciting tale of love, identity, and transformation as it proudly presents My Ilonggo Girl, a regional romantic comedy series premiering on Jan. 13, Mondays through Thursdays at 9:35 p.m. on GMA Prime.

Jillian takes on a challenging dual role as Tata, a humble Ilongga from the province, and Venice, a glamorous actress. The story unfolds when Tata is thrust into Venice’s world, leading to a series of encounters that forever changes her life.

This marks Jillian’s much-anticipated return to primetime and her debut project with GMA Public Affairs. The award-winning actress expressed gratitude and excitement for the opportunity to portray two vastly different characters.

 “I feel so blessed and happy kasi 15 years na ako sa industry pero grabe pa rin ‘yung tiwala sa akin ng GMA, and first time kong magkakaroon ng teleserye with GMA Public Affairs. Nae-excite ako kasi ibang-iba siya sa mga nagawa ko na at marami akong natutunan na bago.” (I feel so blessed and happy because I've been in the industry for 15 years but GMA still has a lot of trust in me, and this is my first time doing a teleserye with GMA Public Affairs. I'm excited because it's very different from what I've done before and I've learned a lot.)

Jillian also teased what fans can look forward to in My Ilonggo Girl.

 “First time kong mag-kontrabida talaga tapos dalawa pa ‘yung characters ko. First time ko ring magka-character na galing province kasi mostly ang mga characters ko taga-Maynila. Ibang Jillian ang makikita nila dahil mayroong dalawang Jillian sa show na magkaibang-magkaiba. Ang role ko rin po rito, something fresh and light, pampagaan ng gabi bago matulog ang mga tao. (It's my first time playing a villain, and I have two other characters. It's also my first time playing a character from the provinces because most of my characters are from Manila. They will see a different Jillian because there are two Jillians in the show who are very different. My role here is also something fresh and light, to lighten the night before people go to sleep)," she said.

The series boasts a powerhouse cast composed of both young, and seasoned actors that include Michael Sager, Teresa Loyzaga, Arra San Agustin, Lianne Valentin, and Arlene Muhlach, alongside talented actors Empoy Marquez, Yasser Marta, Richard Quan, Andrea del Rosario, Vince Maristela, Patricia Ismael, Yesh Burce, youngsters Sabreenika Santos, Geo Mhanna, and veteran actress Ms. Carla Martinez.

Produced by GMA Public Affairs, the creative team behind hits like Lolong 1, Black Rider, and Makiling, My Ilonggo Girl promises to bring back kilig to primetime. The series is based on an original concept by Erwin Caezar Bravo and John Mychal Ferraren, with Bravo as head writer. 

Directing the series is Conrado Peru, supported by a creative team that includes Aeious Asin, John Bedia, Dickson Comia, and Lawrence Nicodemus.

Catch Jillian as she breathes life into Tata and Venice in My Ilonggo Girl, beginning Jan. 13, Mondays through Thursdays at 9:35 p.m. on GMA Prime. Global viewers can also tune in via GMA Pinoy TV.