Screengrab from Senate PH

The Senate has given its seal of approval to a groundbreaking bill that aims to grant Filipino citizenship to Canadian vlogger Kyle Douglas Jennermann, known to many as "Kulas." House Bill No. 7185, which garnered overwhelming support, passed its third and final reading on Monday.

Spearheaded by Senator Francis "Tol" Tolentino, the bill received co-sponsorship from Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, and Senators Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa and Sonny Angara. The collective efforts of these lawmakers signify the recognition of Jennermann's exceptional contributions to the Philippines.

Jennermann, 35, arrived in the Philippines in 2013 and has since become a prominent figure in the country. Through his popular YouTube channel, BecomingFilipino, he has shared captivating content that showcases the natural beauty of the Philippines while promoting its rich culture and identity to a global audience.

In his endorsement of the bill, Senator Zubiri emphasized Jennermann's unwavering dedication to the Filipino people. "Kulas has dedicated his YouTube channel, Becoming Filipino, to feature the Philippines' natural beauty and promote the country's culture and identity to the world," Zubiri stated. He commended Jennermann's extensive travels, during which he documented his experiences and interactions across more than 80 provinces, surpassing the senator's own explorations.

Zubiri further praised Jennermann's love for the Filipino people and his efforts to represent the country positively. "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 Dela Rosa lauded Jennermann's role in redefining nationalism in the digital era. "Jennermann has shown to the entire world what it truly means to become a Filipino, not only on paper or by birth but by choice," he stated. Dela Rosa praised Jennermann's influence, emphasizing the impact of his social media posts and powerful messages that resonate with audiences worldwide.

Senator Tolentino highlighted Jennermann's dedication to serving the Filipino people in times of crisis. He mentioned Jennermann's involvement in various outreach programs and government disaster response operations.

Notably, after Super Typhoon Yolanda devastated the Philippines in 2013, Jennermann quit his job in Hong Kong and flew to Cagayan de Oro to assist in relief efforts. Tolentino also cited Jennermann's contributions to relief operations for areas affected by Typhoons Odette and Paeng.
Tolentino emphasized that being Filipino is not solely determined by birthright or legal citizenship but can also be defined by embodying Filipino culture and values. "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," he remarked.

With the Senate's approval, the bill will proceed to the House of Representatives for further deliberation. If successfully enacted, it will mark a significant milestone in recognizing the extraordinary efforts of Kyle Douglas Jennermann and his remarkable journey in becoming a Filipino citizen.