She’s 19. He is 21. In terms of launching a new “love team”, Jillian Ward and Michael Sager are at their prime. But whether or not their team-up will survive after its debut in the new regional rom-com series ‘My Ilonggo Girl’, Michael will enjoy it, will savor it and will always keep it real.
At the media conference of their new show, which is set to premiere on Monday, January 13 at 9:35 PM on GMA 7, Michael is about not forcing anything on his first leading lady. “I just have to enjoy it. It would be nice if we can do another project after this (My Ilonggo Girl), but who knows. I just have to maintain a happy set, a happy working environment, and a good time with Jillian,” he said.
‘My Ilonggo Girl’ is Michael’s first leading man project after being a series of support and ensemble appearances. He has just wrapped up the filming of the afternoon series ‘Shining Inheritance’ where he shares lead billing with Kate Valdez, Kylie Alcantara, Paul Salas, Coney Reyes and Wendell Ramos. The series is still airing as of this writing.
Jillian Ward, meanwhile, just completed a 2-year successful run of the afternoon ratings top-notcher ‘Abot Kamay Na Pangarap’. She is set to appear in the third season of the action-comedy weekly series ‘Walang Matigas Na Pulis Sa Matinik Na Misis’ with Bong Revilla and Beauty Gonzales. But it is in ‘My Ilonggo Girl’ where she will be seen first in a romantic material.
Michael for his part is enjoying his work with Jillian. “Jill is very positive, very bright. ‘Yung relationship namin, ayoko pilitin eh. Kung hindi pa siya comfy sa akin, I let her be. I let her take her time. And chini-chika ko lang ng chini-chika, until ayun nagka-connection naman kami.” When asked on how he finds Jillian as a person, the new leading man said, “She’s a very admirable person. She’s lovable. She’s great. Iba ang isang Jillian Ward when you get to know her.”
Produced by GMA Public Affairs, ‘My Ilonggo Girl’ is a continuation of the regional shows like ‘Inday Will Always Love You’ which was shot in Cebu and ‘I Heart Davao’ which was shot in Mindanao. The series is based on the original concept of Erwin Caezar Bravo and John Michal Ferraren and being directed by Conrado Peru.
Aside from Ward and Sager, the new series also stars Teresa Loyzaga, Ara San Agustin, Luanne Valentin, Arlene Muhlach, Empoy Marquez, Yasser Marta, Richard Quan, Andrea del Rosario, Vince Maristela, Patricia Ismael, Yesh Burce, Sabreenika Santos and Geo Mhanna. ‘My Ilonggo Girl’ will air starting January 13 from Monday to Thursday at 9:30 PM.