From starring in Hollywood movies to belting out Broadway tunes, Vanessa Hudgens shows us that the best role she could ever play is simply being herself
The Philippines is known for its rich culture, delicious cuisine, and warm hospitality—all these were experienced firsthand by Vanessa Hudgens during her visit to the country. She described the journey as beautiful and eye-opening, realizing that all the practices and interests that were innate in her made sense because they are rooted in Filipino culture.
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For many of us who grew up watching her as Gabriela Montez or Queen Margaret, Stacy, and Fiona, seeing Vanessa in the Philippines was nostalgic and surreal. However, the Fil-Am actress found it to be a moment in perfect timing, saying she wouldn’t have it any other way. This visit allowed her to connect with her Filipino roots as she uncovered the richness of our country’s culture, making sense of her innate Filipino traits and influences that she’s slowly been discovering along the way.
Her love for chicken adobo and more
Despite being raised in America, Vanessa Hudgens was introduced to Philippine culture and cuisine because of her mom. She grew up eating chicken adobo, lots of rice, and pansit—some of the iconic dishes found on Filipino dinner tables.
From the absolute care of her parents leading to where she is now, Vanessa sees her upbringing as a huge factor of her success. “I think my parents saw [at] an early age that I had this gift, and they wanted to support me and allow me to flourish and grow and obviously, it really helped where it has taken me,” she shares.
According to her mother, Gina Guangco, she never laid a hand on her children to discipline them, but instilled in them the Filipino trait of kindness. Moreover, the Fil-Am actress’ mother made sure to teach Vanessa and her sister to embrace their Filipino roots and be true to themselves so they will become good examples to other people. Vanessa’s journey of self-discovery in the Philippines allowed her to connect with her heritage and appreciate the importance of your family’s roots and staying true to oneself.
“I am who I am because of her. We are all products of our parents, especially our mother. They are the ones who bring us to this world.”
Vanessa Hudgens honors her mother for who she is today
Meanwhile, this trip to the Philippines has allowed the High School Musical alum to discover the origins of some of her interests that she has always had, but could not explain. During the recent press conference, she mentioned her fascination with using natural elements like rattan and mother of pearl, which are very Filipino. “It’s all just so beautiful to me, and something that I’ve always loved.”
Her strongest asset
Filipinos are known to have strong family ties, which are deeply ingrained in culture and traditions. Family is the foundation of Filipino society, and it is common to see multiple generations living under one roof. Gatherings, such as reunions and fiestas, are also a common occurrence in Filipino culture. These events provide an opportunity for family members to come together, bond, and create lasting memories.
When asked about her mom’s stories about the Philippines, Vanessa revealed that it was always about the strong bonds within families. “You know very much about the closeness of your family, how, when someone gets married, they move into a family home. You don’t leave the house, you know, everybody sticks together,” Vanessa explained.
Witnessing Vanessa Hudgens’ strong connection with her mother and sister was a sight worth noting. In a heartwarming moment—Vanessa and her mom were even captured singing the Bisaya version of “Itsy Bitsy Spider” during a one-on-one interview with the MEGA Entertainment’s Editor, MJ Marfori. This bond was a beautiful display of the close-knit relationships that are highly valued in Filipino culture.
In line with this trait, Vanessa shares that one of her motivations for this trip is for her future family. The actress shared, “I’m in my 30s now and I’m thinking about raising a family. I want to be able to know my heritage so that my kids can know their background.”
Her passionate pursuit
Filipinos are renowned for their passion for their craft, evident in the global success of artists in different fields such as Lea Salonga, KZ Tandingan, Billy Crawford, and Dolly De Leon. While Vanessa Hudgens opened up that she still struggles to find her place as a Filipino-American actor in Hollywood, she continues to work towards finding the right place for her in the industry. Now, she is taking it a step further through a documentary where she will showcase her Filipino roots, sharing an important part of herself with the world.
“I feel like the most important thing with the entertainment industry and the thing that I personally value the most is telling stories. It doesn’t necessarily matter on what scale [because for] me, the reason, I think, why I am where am is because it’s always been about the stories that I’m passionate about,” she said.
Photos from PUBLICITY ASIA
