The 34-year-old Hollywood actress stars in an upcoming documentary film set to trace her Filipino roots as well as explore the beauty and riches of the Philippines.
Vanessa Hudgens has nothing, but excited for the documentary film she is currently working on in the Philippines. The former High School Musical star arrived in the country on March 24, and has since been touring around the archiphelago as part of the project.
The actress had the chance to project that excitement to the press and fans on March 31 during a media conference held at the Manila House in Taguig.
“It’s a really intimate look at my experience being in the Philippine for the very first time. (It’s about) being really, discovering this beautiful land and the wonderful people,” she said, sharing what to expect about the upcoming project.
“(It’s) just really getting in touch with the piece of myself that has always been there but I’ve never known intimately,” she added.
Part of the project will see the actress going around the country as she discovers truths and beautiful details of her heritage. In relation to that, Malacañang awarded her a Global Tourism Ambassador title–a day before the presser.
“I know, I just got awarded yesterday”, she said, confirming Boy Abunda’s query about her new role, which for Hudgens, is something she really looks forward to.
“It’s a little bit of everything; it’s got paradise, it’s got metropolitan city. It’s got kindness; everybody is so warm and so friendly. The people here are very unique…I feel like I haven’t anyone who seems having a bad day. The hospitality is unmatched. It’s got wonder and it’s really just a magical place,” she noted, as she shared why she can’t contain her excitement to work on the project.
She did not also skip the chance to share about her favorite Filipino folk dance and even dared the event’s host, Boy Abunda, for a showdown the next time she’s back to the country.
“Tinikling, which is my favorite thing ever. I’m really gonna buy bamboo sticks so I can make my friends do it, and so I can practice at home. So, the next time I come, it’s gonna be a Tinikling challenge.”
Talking about her fondness of Filipino cuisine, which will also be one of the topics she will explore in the documentary, Hudgens insisted that she is not the type whom you can easily get into trying anything, especially food.
“No. Nobody made me eat anything,” she said.
A self-confessed huskitarian, or someone who indulge themselves in good feeling foods, Vanessa recalled her early experiences in the country and how she was not able to help herself try authentic Filipino cusine.
“But in Palawan, I was sitting there and there was a plate of Chicken Adobo just staring at me. I’m like, ‘you know this is my first trip to the Philippines. This is as authentic as it’s gonna get. I’m eating Chicken Adobo and I did, and it was worth it,” she shared.
She expressed enthusiasm for new things that the project will have her try, saying, “I mean there’s a time and place for everything.”
Hudgens will be back and forth in the country for the project. She has expressed her openness to do more projects in the country, noting that that would be a perfect excuse to keep coming back.
