For being a better promoter of Philippine culture and tourism sites, Canadian vlogger Kyle Douglas “Kulas” Jennermann is now officially a Filipino.
Kyle Douglas “Kulas” Jennermann, a Canadian vlogger behind the popular YouTube Channel "BecomingFilipino" at the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights hearing. (Senate PRIB Photo)
This, after the Senate of the Philippines approved on third and final reading, House Bill No. 7185 or the bill granting him Filipino citizenship.
Jennerman, 35, popular for his YouTube channel, BecomingFilipino, has been known to inspire both foreigners and locals to travel and experience the Philippine’s stunning natural wonders and various cultures. He has 1.07 million subscribers as of this posting.
Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri lauded Jennerman for promoting and featuring the country’s natural beauty, culture and identity to the world, travelling around the Philippines “by scooter to a total of 80 provinces.”
“(He has been) actually (to) more provinces than I have visited myself, and I have been a senator for many years, documenting his experiences and interactions and sharing them through his vlogs,” Zubiri said.
The Senate leader noted how Kyle “loves the Filipinos, respects Philippine culture, and promotes the country’s natural beauty every chance he gets.”
“He is a better promoter of the Philippines than many of the people I know who do that for a living. Kulas was born and raised in Vancouver Island, Canada, but in almost 10 years that he has spent in the Philippines, he has truly become Filipino,” Zubiri added.
Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa also expressed amazement at the Canadian’s ability to show “the entire world what it truly means to become a Filipino not only in paper nor by birth, but by choice.”
“Jennermann is revolutionizing the meaning of nationalism in this day and age; one social media post, one powerful message at a time,” dela Rosa pointed out.
For his part, Senator Francis Tolentino commended Kyle for doing his humanitarian work in the Philippines, particularly when he assisted in establishing the “One Tacloban,” which raised donations to provide relief to the people of the city after super typhoon Yolanda hit in 2013.
Kyle had also led relief operations for Dinagat Island to help out Filipinos who were badly affected by Typhoon Odette, and more recently, he visited Upi in Maguindanao, an area badly affected by Typhoon Paeng.
“This just shows that being a Filipino does not always mean that you are born a citizen of the Philippines. Sometimes, embodying Filipino culture and values is enough to make you a Filipino,” Tolentino said.