Canadian vlogger ‘Kulas’ a signature away from becoming a naturalized Filipino

Canadian vlogger Kyle Douglas Jennerman only needs the signature of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to become a naturalized Filipino.

This came after 24 senators voted in favor of House Bill No. 7185, or the bill granting Jennerman Filipino citizenship, during the Senate's Monday session.

Jennerman, more popularly known as “Kulas,” came to live in the Philippines in 2013. He is known for his YouTube channel called “BecomingFilipino” where he highlights the culture and beauty of the country.

HB 7185, was sponsored in the Senate by justice and human rights committee chairman Francis Tolentino and co-sponsored by Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, and Senators Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa and Sonny Angara.

"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 said.

Dela Rosa, for his part, said Jennerman “has shown to the entire world what it truly means to become a Filipino not only in paper nor by birth, but by choice. He said Jennermann is revolutionizing the meaning of nationalism in this day and age; one social media post, one powerful message at a time."

Tolentino also lauded Jennerman for not only promoting the Philippines to the world but also for helping the Filipinos in great times of need, particularly after the onslaught of Supertyphoon Yolanda, Typhoon Odette, and 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. —VAL, GMA Integrated News