Vanessa Hudgens on her unforgettable trip to the Philippines

It's Vanessa Hudgens' first time in the Philippines—she tells us about her upcoming documentary, the long-lasting impact of 'High School Musical', and her short yet magical time in Palawan

Thirty four-year-old singer, actress, and entrepreneur Vanessa Hudgens is fondly remembered for stepping into the shoes of the High School Musical series' Gabriella Montez. But her recent roles in Tick Tick..Boom! and The Princess Switch prove that her charm is timeless.

Just recently, Hudgens also received the Philippines' global tourism ambassador title. For her first project, the celebrity stopped by the mesmerising island of Palawan to embrace her Filipino roots and film her travel documentary, The Awakening.

In case you missed it: Palawan, Crowned as One of the World's "Most Desirable Islands"

"[The Philippines] is a little bit of everything. It is a lot of a bit of everything. It has metropolitan cities. The people show kindness. Everybody is just so warm and friendly; the people here are unique," Hudgens says. "I feel, I have not met anyone who had a bad day. The hospitality is unmatched. It has wonder. It is a magical place!"

Above Vanessa Hudgens as Gabriella Montez in High School Musical

Embracing her Filipino roots

Hudgens will work with Ten17P Films, headed by Tatler Asia's Most Influential 2022 honouree Paul Soriano. The actress bares that her short travelogue, The Awakening, will be an intimate look at her first visit to the Philippines.

"[It is really] just discovering this beautiful land and wonderful people and just really getting in touch with the piece of myself that has always been there but I've never known intimately," she tells the press.

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Among her activities in the country, Hudgens seemed to enjoy eating the most. In the same interview, she revealed that she follows a pescatarian diet but made an exception for chicken adobo.

"Nobody made me eat anything. I am a pescatarian, but in Palawan, I was just sitting there, and there was this plate of chicken adobo just staring at me," she says. "I was like, 'you know, this is my first trip to the Philippines. This is as authentic as it is going to get, so I am eating chicken adobo.' It was so worth it."

The long-lasting impact of 'High School Musical'

Hudgens says, she never gets tired of being asked about her most memorable role—Gabriella Montez. High School Musical, which first came out in 2006, remains to be the film series she is widely remembered for.

See more: WTTC Global Summit Opens With the Theme 'Rediscovering Travel'

"It happened so long ago, but new generations are born, and you know, the older brothers and sisters want to share it with their younger brothers and sisters, and it just continues to live on," Hudgens shares.

"And now the kids who were watching it now have kids. It's just a crazy cycle; it just doesn't stop. It just continues to live on and on," she adds.

She wants more

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Hudgens only stayed in the Philippines for a week and vowed to return soon. "I can't already wait to come back! I feel like the time I've spent here has been incredible and special, but I need more time. The country is so big! It has so much to offer," the actress reveals.

The new Philippine global tourism ambassador also says that she wants to explore Cebu and Mindanao next after being inspired by the natural furniture and lighting elements in the areas. "The rattan, the wicker, the mother of pearl, it's all just so beautiful to me that I always loved and then I go, 'Oh yeah, makes sense because it's Filipino!'"

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