Vanessa Hudgens (Still) a Disney Star
Filipino-American Vanessa Anne Hudgens has found popularity as the star of Disney’s made-for-television hit High School Musical (2006). Along with Zac Efron, who plays Troy Bolton in the show, Vanessa has given the Disney Channel its most successful TV movie ever. Vanessa plays Gabriella Montez, a transfer student who wins the lead part in the school’s musical. High School Musical 2 debuted on Disney Channel last month. A third movie, slated for theatrical release, is currently in the works.
Vanessa, whose mother Gina Guangco is Filipino, was interviewed by Ruben Nepales for the Philipine Daily Inquirer last month. She talked about her career, her upbringing, and her priorities, among other things. Here’s an excerpt which shows just how much of a Filipina she is:
Can you share your thoughts about your Filipino heritage?
I am so proud of my heritage. I love being a Filipina. There aren’t very many Filipino girls in the industry. So being able to stand up and be that girl makes me proud. My mother is so proud. She grew up in Manila. I don’t even think she knows it’s doing that well over there. I’d love to make it over there sometime. Unfortunately, I have not had a chance to visit.
Do you speak Tagalog?
Oh, not really. My mom tried to teach me when I was younger. I am not that great at languages. I really want to learn, though.
When do you think you will visit the Philippines?
I think whenever I have a good second to do nothing and just go where I want. I have been talking about it forever and it never materializes. Hopefully, soon. I can’t wait to see the Philippines.
What did your mom tell you about the Philippines? And in what ways are you Filipino?
She told me several stories about where she used to live. She has 11 brothers and sisters so she had a big family. I love Filipino food. I love halo-halo, pancit and adobo. I am such a Filipino—I eat rice every day (laughter).
Pinoy food is hard to resist, and Vanessa’s favorites are shared by countless Filipinos the world over!
Recently, Vanessa was involved in a scandal involving some racy photos of her which circulated around the internet. She has since apologized for it, and Disney has also announced that she will continue to be a part of High School Musical.
Fame and youth make a dangerous combination, and I hope that Vanessa will have learned a lesson from what happened. I also hope that her upbringing and her family’s support will keep her from going down the slippery slope that other famous teens have been on.
source: Inquirer.net; Images: Star Pulse
Tags: Vanessa Anne Hudgens, Vanessa Hudgens, High School Musical, Filipino-American actress, famous Filipinos
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Manila/Aquino, PHILIPPINES
September 14th, 2007 at 11:36 pm
I gotta admit … she is a cutey …
September 15th, 2007 at 6:38 pm
[...] Dancing with the Stars will premiere on September 24, 2007. The promotional video features Vanessa Hudgen’s song, “Let’s Dance” from her debut album “V” . Watch it here, via [...]
September 16th, 2007 at 11:59 am
Have seen the High School Musical only once in my life and it made me wonder why my daughter really likes it. She even said that all her female class mates would all gather the next day in the campus just to discuss the film when they all saw it.
Nah! What’s with teenagers today, anyway?
September 16th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
thank got vanessa i would have missed u dont ever scare me like that again please
September 18th, 2007 at 12:22 am
[...] unknown wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptFilipino-American Vanessa Anne Hudgens has found popularity as the star of Disney’s made-for-television hit High School Musical (2006). Along with Zac Efron, who plays Troy Bolton in the show, Vanessa has given the Disney Channel its … [...]
September 25th, 2007 at 2:53 am
hi guys thx for the e-mail i’m vanessa anne hudgens……if u want to know more about high school come look for me ok……muaxz…..bye
October 2nd, 2007 at 1:40 pm
vanessa is so wrong todo that. don’t you think so …but she has a hot co star zack .
October 6th, 2007 at 2:17 am
I am our no. 1 and biggest fan
November 2nd, 2007 at 2:35 pm
hi vanessa im a pilipino too just like you and i am just like you eating rice everyday and iam your number 1 fan.
December 18th, 2007 at 4:23 pm
I loooooooooooooooooooooovvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee yoooooooooooooooooooouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu alot
January 2nd, 2008 at 3:41 pm
hey vanessa!!,, i love you so much!!!,, im a filipino!!,, and also all i want is to be a part of high school musical!!,, hahahah!!,,
mabuhay ka!!,, hope you can visit the philippines
January 2nd, 2008 at 8:20 pm
hey vanessa i am also a pilipino just like you!I am your #1 fan!oh my gosh i cant believe you did such a bad thing like that!well its great that you apoligized.if i had did something like that right away i would apoligize.anyways,im gonna speak filipino right now okay,(takes deep breath,and clears throat)kamusta ka vanessa!(laughter)see i can also speak pilipino.(laughter)you are so pretty!i want to be pretty just like you!and i saved the best for last.I think you are the greatest actor in the whole world,and galaxy!well hope you do good in hsm 3!good wishes to you,and the whole hsm cast!hope you have fun!
January 2nd, 2008 at 8:27 pm
oh i spelled apoligized wrong its supposed to be apologized.and i called you actor oops!it should have been actress!annd by the way you have a fine boyfriend!i like him too
January 25th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
i love highe school musical
January 28th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
I missed pilipino too!It’s supposed to be filipino.Oh!And i’m only in third grade i made it to a honor roll 2 times!
January 30th, 2008 at 11:32 am
I’m filipino as well and I love her hands down!
I wonder where in the Philippines her mom grew up…
February 10th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
shes pretty, and exotic
February 16th, 2008 at 6:35 am
hey vanessa i love you and you are so beautiful werry beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 16th, 2008 at 6:40 am
i love you so much and i`m 18 yeas old and i love you <3<3<3<3
:)
February 16th, 2008 at 6:42 am
hey vanessa i love you so much and i´m 18 years old and you are so beautiful!!!!!!!!!! i love you <3<3<3<3<3<3
March 2nd, 2008 at 1:16 am
i love you vannessa im soo happy when i found your a filipina and im glad your proud i dont care of all that scandal going and if i found the person who did it i’ll show him im your biggest fan i love youre album ilove you bein filipina and im so proud too i wish in real life i can hang out too you or see you. dont forget
March 2nd, 2008 at 1:20 am
hi vannessa sorry ha about the part of ill show him im soo sory i thought is not you im such a no brainer im so sorry i didnt mean too sorry sooooooooooooory please forgive meeeeeeeee
March 2nd, 2008 at 1:26 am
hi vannessa im a filipina too but im only 9 going 10 and you and youre boyfriend are perfect maybe youre destine too meet and be a couple and its nice to you to APOLOGIZED my b-day is april 7 my b-day wish is so impossible ok (clears throat) i wish i can see you in real life see its realy impossible and im here in dagupan not in manila anymore youre my idol
March 5th, 2008 at 12:52 am
hey i (# u so0000 m uch ur r da best mwaazzzzzz i have every were i bough everything i love u u r mi dream is 2 meet u mwazzzzzzz love u tc i love zac efron by da way u have da hottest taste in guys lool mwa tc if u have an email add me on rayanne_619@hotnail.com mwaa baii tc
March 20th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Heya…I’m a filipino too^_^(hehe)…Hope you and zac are doing well…Oh gosh,,I miss Philippines!(I’m writing in England)which is very very cold and double tripple boring!!!