Marcos fetes Fil-Am actress Hudgens as global tourism envoy

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos feted Filipino-American actress and digital influencer Vanessa Anne Hudgens with the Global Tourism Ambassador Award yesterday as part of the campaign to promote the Philippines as a travel destination.

Hudgens, who gained popularity after starring in the film series “High School Musical,” was conferred the award during her courtesy call on Marcos in Malacañang.

“The initiative is a branding campaign and marketing strategy aimed at attracting international tourists as the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Creative Arts (OPACC) and the DOT (Department of Tourism) set their sights on creating opportunities to aggressively push for the resurgence of the Philippines as a travel destination,” the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a statement.

The OPACC and the DOT chose Hudgens to become the country’s global tourism ambassador because of her huge following on Instagram (49 million followers), Twitter (6.5 million), Facebook (17 million) and YouTube (239,000 subscribers), the PCO added.

They are planning to undertake projects that would focus on Philippine branding to raise the country’s global status. Hudgens may be invited to launch the tourism initiative as one of its pioneering partners.

The OPACC and DOT are also eyeing a documentary showing Hudgens’ homecoming to the Philippines to reconnect her to her roots and boost the tourism industry. The actress’ mother Gina hails from Ozamiz City.

The historical landmarks in Intramuros, National Museum and El Nido in Palawan are the proposed destinations for the documentary.

“As a digital influencer, Hudgens is seen to take part in a range of future initiatives to promote the nation’s unique culture and assist the country in reaching a wider global audience, creating awareness and conveying the Philippine brand as a tourist destination,” the PCO said.

Among those who were present during the courtesy call were Presidential Adviser on Creative Communications Paul Soriano, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, Hudgens’ mother Gina, her sister Stella, PJ Lhuillier Group of Companies president and chief executive officer Jean Henri Lhuillier and Vista Land and Lifescapes president and chief executive officer Manuel Paolo Villar III.

After the awarding, Marcos talked to Hudgens about the historic significance of Malacañang. According to him, the Palace has held in its walls “a lot of history for the Philippines.”

“Beyond that, it has a lot of history for me. I lived here 20 years and now I’ve come back to live here again,” the President said.

Hudgens made her film debut in the movie “Thirteen” in 2003 and played the role of Gabriella Montez in “High School Musical” from 2006 to 2008. She also signed a recording deal with Hollywood Records and co-produced a number of films, including “The Knight Before Christmas” and the three installments of “The Princess Switch.”