Hudgens, who got engaged to professional baseball player Cole Tucker in February this year, realised she wanted to delve deeper into her roots before she got married and started a new stage of her life. In March this year, Hudgens finally visited her literal motherland for the first time. Together with her mother and sister, she explored the island paradise of Palawan–consistently dubbed one of the best islands in the world–and had a quick stop in Manila, where she sat down with to talk to Tatler about her experience. Her mission had been to film and promote an upcoming travel documentary shot in the Philippines. The documentary is produced by Ten17P Films, helmed by one of Tatler Asia’s Most Influential 2022 honourees and presidential adviser for creative communications, Paul Soriano. “It’s an intimate look at my experience in the Philippines for the first time,” Hudgens explains. “Discovering these beautiful lands and the wonderful people … getting in touch with the piece of myself that has always been there but I’ve never known intimately.” 

Soriano says the project, which is still untitled and which is due out before the end of the year, will both offer an exciting introduction to the Philippines for those who have not visited, and show the country in a new light to locals and frequent visitors. He adds, “If there is something that this documentary has taught me … it is that we have the best people and the best country in the world. Working with Vanessa Hudgens was the best. She is the ultimate professional, and she’s super cool, chill, laidback and low-key.” 

The Hudgens family stayed for a few nights at the Pangulasian Island resort in El Nido, where they marvelled at the spellbinding white-sand beaches, towering limestone karsts and cerulean lagoons of the Last Frontier. Away from the crowd and close to nature, Hudgens could finally immerse herself in a truly Filipino experience. Describing the country, she says, “It’s got a bit of everything. It’s got a metropolitan city. It’s got paradise. It’s beautiful and eye-opening.” From early morning hikes to sunset cocktails and karaoke, and catamaran rides, the women enjoyed a wide variety of experiences in the idyllic island destination. “It’s got kindness,” Hudgens continues. “Everybody is so warm and friendly. The people here are unique: I haven’t met anyone who seems to be having a bad day. The hospitality is unmatched; it’s a magical place.” 

In Manila, Hudgens paid a courtesy visit to the Malacañang Palace, where she was named Tourism Global Ambassador, a title conferred by President Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Marcos Jr. “We chose Vanessa because we thought she was the best choice,” says Soriano. “We thought that with her credibility and all that she’s done in her field—she’s a successful artist, actress and singer—and her Filipina roots, her Filipina heritage has much to do with her success. Making her the Tourism Global Ambassador would also create awareness of the Philippines, how beautiful our country is, and how it is the best for everyone worldwide. We felt that bringing her to the Philippines for the first time would be one of the best ways to share the Philippines with people who don’t know much about our country yet.” 

Hudgens donned a cream Filipiniana dress designed by Patty Ang for her visit to the palace, where she was taught tinikling, the traditional Philippine folk dance—something she dubbed one of her favourite parts of the trip. “I’m going to buy bamboo sticks so I can make my friends do it and I can practise at home, so, the next time I come [back to the Philippines], it will be a tinikling challenge,” she says. 

Hudgens’s big break came in her late teens when she was cast as Gabriella Montez in the Disney phenomena High School Musical; she went on to release two solo albums and work in movies and television alongside actors including Nicolas Cage, Selena Gomez, Jennifer Lopez and Andrew Garfield, as well as appearing on Broadway.  But she is quick to stress that her career choice is based purely on the art. “The most important thing with the entertainment industry—and what I value the most—is telling good stories; it doesn’t necessarily matter on what scale. I think I am where I am [now] because it’s always been about the craft; it’s not about fame. It’s about telling stories that I am passionate about … stories that move people.” 

Her most recent project is Dead Hot: Season of the Witch, a documentary featuring Hudgens and her friend, Australian DJ and singer GG McGree as they journey to the US town of Salem, Massachusetts, to learn about witchcraft and the supernatural realm. “My passion for the mystical, I’ve realised now, is also very Filipino,” Hudgens says. “All these things that have been just innately stuck within me, I’ve realised came from my heritage.”

When asked about the possibility of her filming in the Philippines, Hudgens optimistically says: “It would be a wonderful excuse to be here. I would be excited—I’m trying to spend as much time as possible here now.” It seems her first trip has had an indelible impact on her, and she is eager to continue celebrating her heritage at its source. “I feel like my time here has been incredible and special, but I need more time. The country is so big, and it has so much to offer. I’m a big nature girl, a big beach girl … There’s just so much to do,” she says. “I can’t wait to come back.” 

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