Trudis Liit is now a tween fairy

MANILA, Philippines - Jillian Ward is one reliable Kapuso child star, who is in her tween years, an awkward period where kiddie talents pass through and struggle with what roles to play. Given that showbiz truth, Jillian still manages to snag projects that fit her age. Trudis Liit, the character that initially showcased Jillian’s charm and cuteness, plays a young fairy (batang diwata) on GMA 7’s fantasy series Daig Kayo Ng Lola Ko. It will premiere on April 30 on Sunday Grande Sa Gabi. Sa Piling ni Nanay, which had a good run from July of last year to January of this year, was Jillian’s last TV show.

“It is full of lessons. There are new things to learn in every episode and there’s always something new to look forward to,” said Jillian in the vernacular of what the kid-friendly, family-oriented show promises its very young audiences. “They will learn (to) love their grandparents (even more), how to use superpowers (special abilities) and how to deal with their problems.”

Yes, Virginia, you’ve heard it right. Daig Kayo Ng Lola Ko features kids with special gifts. Jillian’s Alice is no ordinary child on the block. 

“I play Alice, who is a kind sister to her sibling Elvis and a good granddaughter to Lola Goreng,” shared Jillian. “She is a fairy who takes care of flowers and plants. She protects them. Her special power is very environmental. Ako po yung pa-sweet na ate.”

In the main narrative, David Remo — another homegrown Kapuso child talent — is Elvis, the other young fairy. Gloria Romero, on the other hand, takes on the role of Lola Goreng, the fairy with a chameleon personality.

“There’s no sibling rivalry (between the two young fairies). He (Elvis) has his own (special) power and uses it to protect the animals,” said Jillian. “Yun po yung matututunan ng mga bata, yung pag-aalaga sa environment.” This is just one of the nuggets of wisdom a kiddie mind will get from the show. The trailer shows the Lola Basyang (reading-aloud) storytelling style, the visual mix of live action and 2D animation and Filipino values that the young must learn early in life and the adult must be reminded of.

On an ordinary day, Jillian is busy with her studies, delivered through the home-study mode. She’s an incoming Grade 6 pupil of Westfields International School in Pampanga.

“My school is there (in Pampanga) but I study here (in Quezon City),” Jillian shared with this writer her flexible, alternative schooling arrangement. “Education is important. So I have to finish my studies, my mom reminds me.” Acting is not the only artistic field where Jillian can excel. She sings well and is the voice behind Daig Kayo Ng Lola Ko theme song. 

“I sing Whitney Houston and Alicia Keys songs,” she said. “I like the songs of Lea Salonga. I also watch YouTube videos of musicals, their (signature) songs, (plus the) lyrics.”

So when Wicked went to Manila for a limited run, Jillian made it a point to catch it. Defying Gravity and Popular are her favorite tunes from the musical that features the friendship of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch and Glinda the Good Witch. 

Asked which witch she sees herself most likely to play on stage, Jillian replied, “The (Wicked) Witch but she is not that bad. She has her own story, hindi rin ako mahilig sa kikay, kikay.” 

Although she is tech-savvy like tweens her age, Jillian appreciates listening to adults, who tell and read stories straight from books. “Gusto ko rin yung nakikinig sa mga kwento ng mga lola,” she said. “When I read a story from my cellphone, I can’t imagine it sometimes. (With an adult reading it aloud to me), I can understand the story better and I can ask the storyteller questions, too.” But she never discounts the advantages of using technologies. “Gadgets help children in their studies but parents should check on how their children use their gadgets and what they are reading,” Jillian said. “They are of great help, particularly for those who are home-schooled like me.”

(Daig Kayo Ng Lola Ko also stars Chlaui Malayao and Julius Miguel and is directed by Rico Gutierrez.)