Philippine Zac Attack

By: Jan de Luis

With his baby blue eyes, captivating smile and natural charisma, Zac Efron made every Filipino feel 17 again.

Hollywood’s resident golden boy filled the SM Mall of Asia Arena with ear-splitting whoops from his fans spurred by his swoon-worthy lines during Penshoppe’s Fan Conference last September 29.

In the event hosted by Asia’s King of Talk Boy Abunda, Efron expressed his fascination of the local folk and culture breed by his father David’s tales about his trip to the Philippines when Zac was still a young boy.

“You guys (Filipino fans of Efron) make me feel so at home, I want to move here,” Zac said after reminiscing his “unbelievable” vacation in Albaywhere he toured the famous lava font of Mt. Mayon and indulged his long-wondering taste buds on how balut (fertilized duck egg) and adobo tastes like, a few days before he flew to Manila for the fan conference.

Used to playing sweet and boy-next-door roles, Efron, a natural charmer, swept his fans of their feet when asked to describe himself in three words. “I can do it in four,” he said. “I love the Philippines.”

Once dated Filipino-American singer-actress Vanessa Anne Hudgens who played Gabriella Montez alongside his claim to fame as Troy Bolton in the Disney movie trilogy High School Musical, the actor described his type of girl by making his fans’ cheeks burn.

“I think she’s Pinoy, she may be out here somewhere,” said the 24-year old actor who admitted on thinking about tying the knot.

Zac has been in love with his incredible knack for acting and his soothing voice that makes every girl melt took him to different heights that it was high time for him to start something new.

Local clothing brand Penshoppe is Efron’s first clothing endorsement. The singing golden boy is only one bling of the star-studded constellation of world-class actors that Penshoppe brought to the country early this year. They include Gossip Girl stars Leighton Meester and Ed Westwick, Vampire Diaries resident hottie Ian Somerhalder and Thai cutie pie Mario Maurer.

Describing his own fashion sense as “pretty laid back” and “retro” like his role model Elvis Presley who became one of the inspirations of heartthrob singing sensation Link Larkin who Zac gave life into in the movie rendition of Hairspray, Efronextolled Penshoppe for its domestic and individualistic style.

“The best thing about Penshoppe is that it is a Filipino brand. It’s Filipinos for Filipinos,” he said. “I love the Penshoppe clothes; I love the people who wear Penshoppe clothes.”

Predestined to be Hollywood’s next big thing since 2006 when he was casted as the kind jock Troy Bolton in High School Musical, Zac transformed from a sweetheart into a sparkling ball of pure talent when he landed on the big screen playing more mature roles with Hollywood’s resident A-listers like Michelle Pfeiffer in New Year’s Eve, Nicole Kidman, John Cusack and Matthew McConaughey in a 2012 Cannes Film Festival movie entry titled The Paperboy.

Efron continued to break free from being the darling of Hollywood through taking the world’s movie scene by storm when he played the protagonist in the movie Charlie St. Cloud and as the sensitive and heroic Logan Thibault in the romantic drama based on novelist Nicholas Sparks’ The Lucky One.

Despite being the lucky one, Zac never forgot his fountainhead.

“The best thing about High School Musical was the many friends I made, the relationships that I made,and another best part about it was that it allowed me to travel the world and come to places like here and meet all of the fans whom I owe so much. I love you guys," said Efron who confessed that his most treasured possession is his passport.

The confidence and charm that emanates from ZacEfron could be easily endeared and the way he sees precious opportunities in his stardom tops it off.

"There are certain things that fame has taught me. It has taught me to really appreciate my family above all things, love my work, and the most important thing in the world is your fans,” he said. “That's why it's so nice to be able to come here and meet you guys. You're the only good thing about fame, all of you. You put a smile on my face every time I see you.”

When it was called a night, it became really hard for the fans to say goodbye to the heart-stopper Hollywood actor who took out his Iphone and captured a photo of himself with the jam-packed arena in the background.

Zac, kissing the air goodbye, swore to his fans making them feel as if it were a movie.

“Thank you Philippines. I love you guys,” he said. “I’ll come back soon.”