Jillian Ward embraces love, life and a new chapter at 21

At 21, Jillian Ward is embracing a new chapter in her life — one filled with romance, personal discoveries, creative ambitions and a growing desire to experience life beyond the spotlight.

The Kapuso actress opened up about her journey from child star to young woman during a candid interview on GMA Network’s Fast Talk with Boy Abunda, where she spoke about falling in love, protecting her privacy and enjoying the freedom that comes with adulthood.

One of the biggest revelations came when television host Boy Abunda directly asked whether she was in love.

“Yes, Boy,” Jillian answered with a smile.

Although she confirmed that someone has captured her heart, the actress remained careful about revealing too much about her romantic relationship.

“I’m very private when it comes to matters of the heart, my family and my friends. I prefer to keep my relationships low-key. When I love someone, I love wholeheartedly, but when it comes to the public, I want to keep my personal life private,” she explained.

Her approach to romance has also inspired her to explore songwriting.

Jillian revealed that she has always wanted to write music, particularly songs that would preserve the emotions and experiences of her younger years.

“I’ve always wanted to write songs. Then I realized it would be such a waste if I didn’t write them because I really want to capture my experiences in my twenties through music,” she shared.

She hopes that when she reaches her thirties, listening to those compositions will bring back memories of being 21, including the stories of her love life.

“I want to be able to look back when I’m in my thirties, listen to the songs I’ve written, and remember the experiences and memories I had as a 21-year-old.”

Family comes first

Asked to describe the man who has won her affection, Jillian highlighted his thoughtfulness and willingness to express his feelings openly.

“He’s very caring, and he’s not afraid to express his appreciation for me, whether he’s with his friends, his family or the different people he meets,” she said.

Beyond his affectionate personality, another important quality has earned her admiration: his relationship with her family.

“Actually, my family likes him,” she revealed.

For Jillian, her family’s approval is essential before she considers pursuing a romantic relationship.

“Personally, if my mother, father or siblings don’t give me their approval, I won’t entertain a guy because it’s extremely important to me that he wins over my family first before pursuing me.”

Despite her busy career, Jillian is also determined to make the most of her twenties.

She admitted that her perspective on life has changed as she has grown older, realizing that happiness should not revolve entirely around professional achievements.

“I feel more inspired now. I’ve also learned that life isn’t just about work,” she reflected.

She added that she wants to devote more time to family, friendships and matters of the heart while enjoying her years as a young woman.

“In my twenties, I want to find a balance between my family life, my friendships and my love life. I really want to enjoy being single and make the most of this stage of my life.”

Interestingly, Jillian has found creative ways to experience ordinary activities without attracting too much public attention.

The actress revealed that she sometimes goes out in disguise, including when visiting shopping malls or booking rides through Grab.

“Sometimes, I even book a Grab ride while wearing a disguise because I really want to experience everything. I want to go out and visit malls, so I disguise myself,” she admitted.

However, her attempts to remain anonymous do not always work as planned.

“But people still recognize me. In the end, I actually make a lot of new friends whenever I go out. I just really want to enjoy my life.”

Growing beyond a child-star image

Growing up in the entertainment industry has also presented challenges, particularly when it comes to changing the public’s perception of her.

Having started her career as a child actress, Jillian acknowledged that some viewers still struggle to accept that the little girl they watched on television is now an adult.

“Yes, people are still surprised,” she said when asked whether she continues to experience difficulties moving beyond her child-star image.

She recalled receiving reactions from people surprised by her fashion choices, with some mistakenly believing she is still a minor.

“Sometimes, when I post something, people are surprised. They say, ‘She’s only a minor. Why is she wearing something like that?’ But I’m already 21 years old! In their eyes and in their minds, I’m still a baby.”

Rather than becoming frustrated, Jillian chooses to appreciate the affection behind those reactions.

“But I really appreciate it because it shows that people have loved me ever since I was a baby. They are simply looking out for me.”

The actress also shared a lighter side of her personality when Abunda asked whether she had ever gotten drunk.

Jillian admitted that she occasionally enjoys sangria with her girlfriends, usually limiting herself to one or two glasses.

“Yes, Boy. I’ve had sangria with my girlfriends. Just one or two glasses of sangria, nothing more,” she said.

She laughingly described herself as becoming more talkative and emotional after drinking.

“When I’ve had a little too much to drink, I become really funny. I just keep talking nonstop. The shy little girl in me comes out again. I laugh and laugh, and then I end up crying because I’m so happy,” she recalled.

Preparing for the big stage

Meanwhile, Jillian is preparing for another major milestone in her entertainment career — her concert on 8 December 2026 at the New Frontier Theater.

Originally scheduled for July, the concert was moved to December, a change she now considers beneficial because it allowed her additional preparation time and the opportunity to finalize her guest performers.

“Actually, I’m glad it was moved because this time, I already have a definite list of guests. Their schedules are now available, and I’ve also had more time to prepare,” she explained.

She also revealed that she has been undergoing intensive training to deliver a performance that goes beyond the usual singing and dancing numbers.

“My training has been extremely rigorous because I don’t want to simply sing and dance. I really want to offer something new to the audience.”

Her ultimate goal is to give audiences an unforgettable concert experience.

“I want people to go home remembering the concert,” she added.

Abunda also pointed out the significance of the concert date, which falls on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, expressing his hope that the occasion would bring blessings to her performance.

As Jillian continues to navigate adulthood, she appears determined to find a balance between her demanding career and the personal experiences she once had limited opportunities to enjoy.

From discovering romance and writing songs to exploring life outside show business, the former child star is gradually introducing audiences to a more mature side of herself.

And while many Filipinos may always remember her as the adorable little girl who grew up before their eyes, Jillian is now writing a different story — one about independence, love, self-discovery and learning to enjoy life at her own pace.