Jillian Ward on being dubbed ‘Star of New Gen’: I enjoy acting with or without title

Scene from “Captain Kitten”—PHOTOS COURTESY OF GMA ENTERTAINMENT

While Jillian Ward is grateful to her home network, GMA 7, for dubbing her as the “Star of the New Gen,” the teen actress makes sure that titles don’t make her lose sight of why she does what she does in the first place.

“I’m grateful and shocked. But for me, whatever title is given to me, I try not to take it to heart. I’m flattered that there are people who see me that way. What’s important is that I enjoy my work and the things I do, with or without a title,” she told the Inquirer in a recent virtual conference.

“Sometimes, when I go out, I actually forget that I’m an actress,” the 18-year-old Kapuso star said.

Regardless of her feelings toward her new title, Jillian’s success on television and presence on social media can’t be ignored.

She has starred in various top-rated soap operas, including “Prima Donnas” and the ongoing “Abot-Kamay na Pangarap,” which is still going strong in the afternoon slot after more than a year on air. She also has millions of followers across different social media platforms.

Jillian is, indeed, one of the busiest actresses of her generation She has been busy working since rising to fame in 2009 as the star of the remake of “Trudis Liit ‘’ at the tender age of 4. And now there are times, she admitted, when she feels a little burned out.

Small things

“I do get tired and feel burned out. But when the work is fun, I forget all about it. What recharges me is going to church after taping and seeing my family. It’s the small things that count. I don’t really need to go on a long vacation … Spending some quiet time with my family is enough,” she said.

Having a following as big as Jillian’s comes with a responsibility—especially since she portrays a doctor onscreen.

“I see that a lot of children look up to my character as a role model. They see her as a superhero of sorts, because she’s inspiring them to become a doctor and to work and study harder,” she said, adding that one of her goals as an actress is to influence young people to go for their goals.

“I know that my intentions are pure when it comes to work and my personal life. I’m not afraid or feel pressured—I’m doing my thing. And my goal is to continue improving myself and inspire people,” she said.

Jillian is the star of “Captain Kitten,” the latest monthlong installment of the weekly GMA 7 fantasy anthology series “Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko.” She plays Kat, a high school student with a heart for stray animals. She rescues and brings them to a pet cafe, where she meets a veterinarian named Dr. Tom.

Unbeknown to her, the veterinarian’s nearby clinic is but a front for a secret laboratory where animals are caged, hurt and used for shady experiments. As she looks for her missing cat, Mingming, she ends up at the laboratory. The cat scratches her, imbuing her with cat-like senses and instincts.

Jillian Ward as Captain Kitten

As an animal lover, Jillian found it easy to relate to her character. “I have four dogs. Going home from taping and seeing them as I open the door makes my stress go away. They’re always there to welcome me with kisses,” Jillian said. “And my character’s goal is to save animals.

‘Break from heavy drama’

For Jillian, this project is a breather from the heavy dramatic scenes she’s required to do as Dr. Annalyn in “Abot-Kamay.” “This is a break from all the heavy drama stuff I do for ‘Abot-Kamay.’ Here, there’s comedy, fantasy and action. I can ad-lib or just do some fun and silly things. Fans will be reminded of what I was like when I was a kid,” she said. While action is still a foreign genre to her, she quickly warmed up to it and now appreciates all the challenges and excitement that come with it.

“I did action projects when I was a kid. But this is my first time as a grownup. It was a challenge. I realized that doing action scenes is exhausting. I had to wear a bodysuit too,” she related. “I did most of my stunts and fight scenes, but of course, I still had a double for safety.”

“I’m used to doing serious or dramatic scenes. But I really tried my best in the fight scenes. I can punch, I can kick. But I can’t do cartwheels,” she said, laughing. “But it’s something new to me, and it’s all worth it.” INQ