Zac Efron talks about PHL experience, explains balut to Zendaya

Fans went gaga when actor Zac Efron visited the Philippines in 2012 for a Penshoppe Fan Conference. The feeling wasn't one-sided, as Efron was grateful for the love and he also found himself charmed by the country.

In an interview with Kapuso reporter Lyn Ching, Efron recollected the best memories from his trip.

"Aw, man, it's so beautiful. It's such a stunning place. I love the beaches out there," he said.

Efron shared that he and his father went to the top of Mayon Volcano and rode an all terrain vehicle (ATV) together in Albay. "We rode ATVs down the side, through different villages. We were there for, like, a whole day excursion. We really got to see what it's like out there."

Asked if he remembers a few Filipino words, he went with "balut."

"It's like an egg that's been fertilized. It's like a little bit grown chicken, but you still eat it and it's still delicious," he explained to co-actor Zendaya.

Hearing all of this, Zendaya said she "definitely wants to go" to the Philippines.

Weird and special like balut

Efron in the interview also praised Zendaya for taking the responsibility of being a role model to the youth with sincerity and seriousness.

"I think, for me, you can either look at it as a pressure or something positive and I think it's a positive thing," Zendaya said. "I have little nieces and nephews [who] are huge inspirations to me and are a huge reason why I do what I do because I know they're watching."

As a woman of color in the film industry, Zendaya said that she feels the pervasiveness of discrimination and she continues to be motivated to fight it through her craft.

Zendaya has been a vocal advocate against bullying, which is something that their new film "The Greatest Showman" focuses on.

Efron and Zendaya shared that they were attracted to the hopeful tone the film offers to misfits and added that they are eager to share it with the audience.

"Go find out what makes you weird, because it's probably what's going to make you brilliant," Efron said.

"The Greatest Showman" premieres in the Philippines on January 31. —Aya Tantiangco/KG, GMA News