Jillian Ward opens up about parents' separation in 2024: 'Naging sobrang hirap siya for me'

Kapuso actress Jillian Ward opened up about her parents' separation in 2024, and how it made her feel "emotionally exhausted."

"Last year, nag-separate 'yung parents ko. Naging sobrang hirap siya for me, honestly," Ward said in a sit-down interview with Nelson Canlas on GMA's 24 Oras.

The 19-year-old recalled feeling burned out during media interviews, but later on realized that beyond work, she was "emotionally exhausted" with her family's situation.

"May time na naririnig ko 'yung parents ko, nag-uusap sila nang madaling araw bago ako mag-taping," she said. "I have to act like 'di ko naririnig 'yung mga conversations nila."

According to Ward, this personal struggle made her able to cry on set for "14 hours a day."

"Kasi totoo po 'yung emotions, ganun. Doon ko po nilalabas kasi sa house, hindi ko nilalabas 'yung iyak ko, 'yung galit ko," she said.

Ward gave a special mention to her mother as she bared that everything she does is for her. "My mom is my life."

Ward noted that she also cares for her father and siblings, but it's her mom whom she's much closer with. "I super love my mama," she said. "I hope she's proud."

Ward is looking to reach several achievements in honor of her mother, who, she said, wasn't able to achieve much growing up.

"My mom had doubts about having me at first kasi she was very young," she said. "I want to prove sa kaniya na 'di siya nagkamali."

Ward began her career as a child actress in the 2010 teleserye Trudis Liit. She has since earned recognition for leading roles in Primas Donnas and Aboy-Kamay na Pangarap. Ward has so far won a FAMAS Award, a Star Award for Movies, and two Box Office Entertainment Awards.