JILLIAN WARD STEPS UP TO THE ROM-COM CHALLENGE

JILLIAN WARD IS FURTHER transitioning into a more grown-up artist with her latest GMA Network project, "My Ilongga Girl." The primetime series, which premieres tonight, represents an exciting new chapter for the soon 20-year-old former child star, allowing her to venture into the world of love teams and romantic-comedies after her hit medical-themed afternoon series "Abot-Kamay na Pangarap."

- By Nathalie Tomada

In the GMA Public Affairs-produced show, which premieres tonight at 9:35 and airs Mondays through Thursdays thereafter, Jillian takes on the dual role of Tata, a humble Ilongga from the province, and Venice, a glamorous actress, according to the synopsis. Things get exciting if not complicated when Tata gets thrust into Venice's world, leading to a series of encounters that forever changes her life.

This project marks Jillian's first time in a serious love team with Michael Sager, and it's an experience she described as challenging. "It's really my first serious love team po na nasa script talaga. In 'Abot-Kamay na Pangarap,' I had (sweet) dialogues, but they weren't planned. Kumbaga bigla nalang po nagustuhan ng tao and biglang nagkaroon ng chemistry (with my co-stars)," she told The STAR.

"So, this is really more challenging for me. Although in 'Abot-Kamay,' there were kilig scenes, dito po talaga merong sobrang lapit na titigan, mga hug. It's really new for me."