MANILA, Philippines - Like Niño Muhlach and Aiza Seguerra of the yesteryear, Kapuso star Jillian Ward is fast carving an image of child wonder. Her charisma and acting talent have provided the local showbiz a yardstick for what a child star should be these days.
Proof of how admired the six-year-old GMA Artist Center talent is can be traced to the high ratings of her TV series Daldalita. It is garnering in comparison to its head-to-head competitor. In a survey conducted by Nielsen TV last October, Jillian’s starrer posted a whopping 36.5 pecent share from Luzon households which dwarfed the 26 percent showing of its rival series from the other big network. The lead is even wider in Mega Manila, with a difference of 13 percent.
Directed by Don Michael Perez, Daldalita stars Jillian as Lolita who initially is beset with the peculiar condition that mirrors a mute. But then through the help of some farm animals, she begins uttering animal sounds which led to her being named Daldalita.
The primetime soap also stars Ogie Alcasid, Manilyn Reynes, Rufa Mae Quinto, Elmo Magalona and Julie Anne San Jose.
At a very young age, Jillian already values the price of professionalism and competence. During an interview last year, she quipped that her Christmas wish is to win the Best Child Actress in the Metro Manila Film Festival.
“Iyon po ang Christmas wish ko kasi pupunta kami sa America kapag nanalo ako ng Best Child Actress,” she said.
Jillian, whose mother has both American and Mexican blood, is visible due to her in-demand status. This year, she appeared in the Cesar Montano-Iza Calzado sitcom Andres De Saya and the Richard Gutierrez superhero series Captain Barbell where she played the memorable character Super Tiny. On the big screen, she has delighted the audience with her showcase in Valentine Girls and Aswang topbilled by Lovi Poe,
Prior to Daldalita, Jillian played the title role in the TV remake of Trudis Liit. She also had a significant role in the MMFF box office movie Si Agimat at Si Enteng Kabisote. Her teleserye run began with her appearing as Daldakina in The Last Prince.
Last year she starred in the Kapuso Christmas special Namamasko Po where she acted as Jillian the Doll whose desire is to be a real girl. This year, she’s part of the main cast in GMA’s Christmas short film.
For everyone watching mainstream TV, Jillian is not just a real girl, but a real star.