Jillian Ward details thorough preparations for 'Abot Kamay na Pangarap,' including live brain surgery immersion

Did you know that Jillian Ward and her fellow "Abot Kamay na Pangarap" actor Richard Yap had to watch a live brain surgery in preparation for the series?

In the latest episode of "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho," Jillian Ward had a one-on-one interview with Jessica Soho as she looked back on the thorough preparations they had to go through before they started shooting for the show.

While touring Jessica Soho on the set of "Abot Kamay na Pangarap," the Sparkle star shared that she memorized numerous medical terms that they use in the program, including, "GCS 12, E4, V3, M5, GCS12. Pa-hook ako, 5lpm 02 via FM. Tapos pa-standby tayo for intubation."

Jillian added that they had an immersion before filming the hospital scenes.

"Nanood po ako ng live brain surgery," she told Jessica Soho. "As in sa harap ko po. Kami po ni Sir Richard nanood po kami."

["We watched an actual brain surgery."]

She recalled, "Hindi naman po ako nandiri. Pero sa totoo lang po 'yung amoy talaga ibang-iba. So iniisip ko nga po paano 'to nagagawa ng mga totoong mga surgeons. Parang ang hirap po talaga niya."

["I wasn't disgusted at all. I kept thinking to myself how hard it must be for actual surgeons."]

On top of the immersion, a medical consultant also joins and observes them on set. The consultants had the "freedom to cut" whenever they noticed that the actors were doing something inaccurate.

Jillian admitted that there was pressure because the head nurses and doctors would observe their scenes.

Aside from making sure that the scenes are medically accurate, Director LA Madridejos also shared that the series also touches on real problems existing in the country's public health system.

Jillian, who plays the lead role of Dr. Analyn Santos, said that her character is very determined.

"Tapos sobrang mahal niya po si Nanay Lynette. So gagawin niya po talaga lahat para maabot po 'yung pangarap po nilang mag-ina," she said.

["She loves her mother so much that she'd do anything so their dreams would come true."]

While on set, Jessica and Jillian bonded over a fun moment as they did a TikTok dance together and reenacted a confrontation scene from "Abot Kamay na Pangarap," with Jessica taking on the role of Doc Zoey.

Personal struggles

While Jillian continues to do her best in taping, she also has to balance it with her personal life.

During the interview, she admitted that she had a hard time during the height of the pandemic after she lost her grandmother.

"Sa totoo lang po nung pandemic, nahirapan din po ako nang sobra kasi namatay po 'yung grandmother ko nun," Jillian said. "Ayan! Naiiyak na 'ko. And 'yung grandfather ko din po. Sa akin po talaga, parang magulang ko po 'yung lolo't lola ko. Meron nga po talagang pinagdaraanan din, sinasarili ko lang."

["It was very difficult for me at that time, because my grandmother died. I was very close to her. There are these kinds of hardships, but I try to keep it to myself."]

Despite this, she works hard to play the role of Dr. Analyn Santos.

And in addition to all of that, Jillian still finds time to pursue her education.

Just recently, she graduated from senior high school with the highest honor!

"Dedication po talaga. Since nag-start po akong mag-artista, talagang nasanay na po ako na pinagsasabay po siya. 'Pag may break time po talaga or 'pag rest day po, talagang basa po," Jillian said.

["I entered show business at a young age, so I was kind of used to having to balance my studies with work. When I'm on break or I'm on my rest day, I'd catch up on my school work."]

The young star also shared that there are times when she considers pursuing a medical field.

"Ngayon po, naiisip ko na po siya kasi sabi po sa amin ng consultant po namin na doktor, puwede daw po akong mag-aral ng med kasi daw po yung memorization ko daw po bagay daw po sa field nila," she said.

["It didn't cross my mind until recently. Our consultant was saying that I could study medicine if I wanted to, since I was memorizing medical terms already."]

"Pero ako po kasi gusto ko po talagang i-pursue law kapag may time na po," she added. "Pero ngayon ang course na kukunin ko is business."

["But I really want to pursue law once I have the time. Right now, I'm planning to take up business."]

13 years in the industry

Jillian first captivated Kapuso fans' hearts when she was cast in "Sine Novela: Trudis Liit" at the age of five. She even had a one-on-one interview with Jessica Soho back then.

At a young age, Jillian proved that she is a great actress, especially in heavily emotional scenes.

"Iyak po. Dapat isipin ninyo po 'yung mga family ninyo na malulungkot kayo para tuluy-tuloy po 'yung iyak," she said, talking about her strategy to cry easily. "Kasi kailangan kong mag-cry kunwari dun sa eksena po."

["I think of my family being upset. And from there, the tears just flow."]

Aside from being amazing at her craft, Jillian also tickled fans' hearts with her energy.

"Natatawa po ako sa sarili ko kasi para po siyang ibang tao. Like 'sino po yan, sobrang kulit!" she said while watching her interview with Jessica Soho in 2010.

["It's like a different person! She has so much energy."]

And now, at the age of 18, Jillian has already bought herself a sports car, and the construction of her dream house is currently in progress.

"Thirteen years po sa industry, parang 'yun po 'yung parang naging regalo ko sa sarili ko," she said. "Basta mahilig po talaga ako sa cars. Pero ngayon po mas napapaisip na po ako about the future. Mas nag-i-invest po ako sa mga lupa."

["I've been in the industry for 13 years. The car is like a gift to myself. But now, I keep thinking about the future, so I want to invest more on land."]

Show's impact

On Sunday's episode of KMJS, Jillian had the chance to meet Dra. Analyn's biggest fan: the four-year-old Alexandra from Cavite, who also dreams of becoming a doctor someday.

"Gagamutin ko 'yung kapatid ko," Alexandra said. "'Pag may lagnat."

["I want to be able to treat my sibling."]

Despite having difficulties seeing, Alexandra makes sure to always tune in to her favorite series.

The little girl has a rare genetic disorder called Ablepharon Macrostomia Congenital Anomaly Syndrome that prevents her from closing her eyelids when she sleeps.

Alexandra's mother said that when they didn't have a TV yet, her daughter would watch at their neighbor's house.

"Tatawagin niya 'yung nanay niya sasabihin niya 'Nay, Abot Kamay na, Analyn na!'" she said.

["She'd tell her Mom, 'Abot Kamay ng Pangarap' is on! Analyn's here."]

According to geneticist Dr. Ebner Bon Maceda, people afflicted with Ablepharon Macrostomia Congenital Anomaly Syndrome have underdeveloped eyelids.

"'Yung apektadong tao ay merong ablepharon or 'yung absence or underdevelopment ng talukap ng mata. At macrostomia, 'yun 'yung malaki 'yung bibig. Meron ding ibang mga abnormalities sa ibang mga sistema or mga organ sa katawan tulad ng sa mata, sa balat, sa buhok, ngipin at minsan affected din ang development," said Maceda.

["People who have Ablepharon Macrostomia Congenital Anomaly Syndrome have underdeveloped eyelids. There may be other abnormalities in their body or organs, like their eyes, skin, hair."]

KMJS brought Alexandra to an ophthalmologist to check on her condition. Pediatric Ophthalmologist Doctor Alvina Santiago said that they will try to see if there was a way for them to cover her eyes via reconstruction.

"It will never be normal. Kailangan natin lang matingnan kung kaya natin siyang bigyan ng lids para maprotektahan 'yung cornea niya."

["Her condition won't go back to normal. We have to check if we can give her eyelids so her cornea could be protected.]

To Alexandra's surprise, the entire cast of "Abot-Kamay Na Pangarap" were waiting to greet her, including her favorite actress, Jillian.

Alexandra also took the opportunity to have a TikTok collab with Jillian.

"Sobrang na-ta-touch ako kasi nanonood talaga siya ng Abot," Jillian said. "Mas na-inspire pa ako gawin 'yung mga ginagawa ko."

To those who are interested in helping Alexandra, you may send them to

BDO CAVITE-DASMARIÑAS AGUINALDO HIGHWAY BRANCH
ACCOUNT NAME: MARY JANE P. GUADAYO
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 004300567304

—JCB, GMA Integrated News