No ‘petiks-petiks lang’ at work for 14-year-old Jillian

Jillian Ward

Jillian Ward may only be 14 years old, but she already has 10 years’ worth of acting experiences under her belt. But she knows that, if she were to stay in show biz for longer than that, she would have to continue honing her craft.

That’s why the young talent is grateful to have seasoned actresses like Chanda Romero and Aiko Melendez as costars, and an experienced actor-director like Gina Alajar guiding her in “Prima Donnas.”

“One of the most important advice they’ve given me is that I should do my job for the love of it—not for fame or money,” she told reporters in a recent visit to the set of the said afternoon drama series on GMA 7.

“I have been here for a decade now, and I want to stay. They tell me that passion for work is the strongest foundation of an actor’s career; that it’s one of the keys to longevity,” she added. “If you love your work, it will love you back. Then, you’ll be blessed with more projects.”

Discipline, Jillian said, was just as indispensable.

“You have to be responsible. You should have already memorized your lines when you come to the set. Otherwise, you will cause delays. You will only inconvenience your coactors and the production staff if you come unprepared,” she pointed out. “It will also affect your own performance, because it’s difficult to draw the right emotions when you’re fumbling your lines.”

And with a meticulous director like Gina at the helm, “petiks-petiks lang” just won’t cut it. “You have to be disciplined. You should know where you have to go. You should be well-acquainted with the camera positions … all those things,” she said. In “Prima Donnas,” whose story revolves around three sibling heiresses who get caught up in their elders’ struggle over the family’s fortune, Jillian portrays the meek and kindhearted sister, Donna Marie.

“What I love about my character is that she loves her family and siblings so much. She’s persevering and committed to her job. However, I don’t like that she doesn’t fight back when she’s being taken advantage of,” she said.

Jillian has noticed some marked improvements in her acting skills because she finds herself relying less and less on her own experiences for inspiration. “This time, I feel like things comes more naturally for me. I don’t have to try so hard to connect to my character. I don’t have to recall personal problems just so I could get emotional and cry. I can cry simply because I … have managed to embody my character,” she said.

“Acting isn’t just about pulling off facial expressions, changing the tone of your voice or shouting,” she added. “You have to feel and let your body follow suit. The emotions will naturally come out.”

Because of its good ratings, the soap, which is also top billed by young actresses Sofia Pablo, Althea Ablan and Elijah Alejo, has been extended and will now be aired from Monday to Saturday.

“It’s overwhelming and surprising that it turned out that way. A lot of people have been requesting for an extension,” she said of the show, which premiered last August. “There’s pressure on us because we have an extra episode to shoot. But it’s something I look forward to because it’s fun working with the girls. We learn from each other’s ideas and mistakes. There’s harmony on the set. It’s a group effort. No one’s left out.”