MANILA, Philippines — Jillian Ward revealed she and Ken Chan did not expect people would feel “kilig” with their pairing in the hit afternoon family medical drama “Abot Kamay na Pangarap.”

Jillian plays Dr. Analyn Santos, the youngest neurosurgeon in the hospital she and Ken, who plays Dr. Lyndon, works in.

Ken was not an original cast member and was introduced earlier this year in the afternoon show that premiered in September last year.

“Alam n’yo po nu’ng una, nabigla po kami na ang dami pong natutuwa sa amin, ang dami pong kinikilig,” Jillian said to select press at the sidelines of the 15th anniversary of Filipino company Lifestrong held last September 16 in Luxent Hotel, Quezon City.

She was among the present endorsers of the brands under the company. Kim Chiu and Megan Young were also in attendance. Jillian serenaded the guests with Whitney Houston’s hit ballad “Saving All My Love For You.”

“Pero sa totoo lang po ngayon, ‘pag may ginagawa kaming eksena, kinikilig kami habang ginagawa namin ‘yung eksena. Minsan pinagsasabihan kami kasi hindi namin ma-control ‘yung tawa namin ‘pag nagte-take,” the young actress revealed.

There is a 12-year gap between Jillian, 18, and Ken, 30. Apart from this, they also starred as siblings in the 2018 drama “My Special Tatay.” Ken played her kuya or older brother in the show.

Their initial shock was not a surprise, but the possibility of their pairing finally sunk in.

Has anything changed between them?

“We’re super close… Lagi ko po siyang kausap. Lagi ko siyang tinatanungan ng advice. Lagi kaming nagtutulungan sa eksena, even outside ng eksena. Sa personal and sa on screen,” she said.

Jillian shyly answered if she thinks Ken is a boyfriend material when she was prodded by the press.

“Hala. May gano’n pong tanong? Well, of course, Ken Chan, super bait po na tao. Sobrang sipag and matalino po siya. Hindi lang siya artista, businessman din siya. Super faithful din po siya e,” she said.

Jillian said she was “touched” when she saw how Ken is practicing his faith when they held a mass to celebrate their show’s first year anniversary earlier this month.

The teen actress said that even if there were those who are “kilig” with their pairing, she is not yet open to the idea of dating.

“Well, kasi, hindi pa po ako nagpapaligaw talaga kahit kanino. Basta masaya po ako na… Kumbaga nagkaroon po ako ng isa pang totoong tao sa buhay ko,” she replied when asked if Ken will have a chance with her if he courts her.