Vanessa Hudgens is exploring her roots.
The Asian-American actress and star of Disney’s original High School Musical franchise is working on a travel documentary set in the Philippines. Her mother was born in the country.
Her untitled project will shoot in March in both Palawan and Manila. Paul Soriano is attached as director, producer, and executive producer. The documentary will feature her mom’s homeland and will also showcase her journey as a Filipino American actress who made her mark in Hollywood. She said:
“It is really an intimate look at my experience being in the Philippines for the very first time.”
When asked during her Manila press conference for the travel documentary about her Filipino heritage and how she was raised, Vanessa said:
“I feel like I was definitely raised very American, except for all the rice, and the Adobo and Pancit.”
She added that she has learned so much about her filipino side coming to the country for the first time:
“My parents saw at an early age that I had this fit and they wanted to support me and how to flourish and grow and obviously, it really happens, it’s taken me, but it’s really interesting coming here, very beautiful and eye-opening.
All the passion for the mystical I’ve noticed now is very Filipino. All of these things have bee innately stuck within me, I’m realizing coming from my heritage.”
She went on to say that her innate love for family comes from the Filipino in her:
“I feel like just the family aspect of the Philippines is something that is so common. I’ve always been so close to my mom and to my sister and we kind of roll as a pack all the time and that’s something from my heritage.”
As to what it took her so long to go to the country:
“I don’t know, I guess maybe time? It’s always on my list, I guess. But it’s just that it never happens, I don’t know.
I think everything happens when it’s meant to. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Aside from her upcoming travel documentary, she says she is also open to making other projects in the Philippines:
“Of course it would be wonderful. I’m trying to spend as much time as I can here now.
I already can’t wait to come back. I feel like the time I have spent here has been so incredibly and so special, but I need more time. The country has a lot to offer.”
