The Canadian-born vlogger affectionately known to many as “Kulas” officially became a Filipino citizen last Wednesday, a milestone reached through deep affection and an unwavering commitment to the Filipino community.
Dressed in a 100% Filipino-made Bamboo Textile Barong created by Francis Libiran and developed by DOST-PTRI, Kyle Douglas Jennerman stood with pride as he took the Oath of Allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines, administered by Congresswoman Len Alonte.
Reflecting on this pivotal moment on his Facebook page, Kulas recounted a touching story about a Filipina living in America who was inspired to reconnect with her Filipino roots after following his journey through his YouTube channel, “BecomingFilipino.”
Sharing the woman’s joy upon rediscovering her home, he voiced the pivotal role of continuous learning and personal growth, stating, “It is messages and conversations like that over the years, they have deeply touched me… and reminded me… how important it is to always have that mentality of ‘becoming’.”
Addressing the much-anticipated question concerning a potential change to his social media account name following his citizenship, Kulas emphatically said, “The answer is no.”
He elucidated that the name “BecomingFilipino” stands not as an endpoint but a perpetual journey of sharing the “beautiful things I was experiencing here,” and fostering understanding and appreciation for the Filipino culture globally.
Drawing a parallel to personal and professional growth, Kulas highlighted the essence of remaining in a state of “becoming” to encourage continual learning and connection.
“Maybe you are becoming a doctor, a teacher, an engineer? When you do “make it”… when you actually “become it”… doesn’t mean you shouldn’t actively be learning more and more about what it means to be it,” he explained, emphasizing the vitality of growth and the personal understanding engrained in the journey of “becoming.”
As Kulas opened this new chapter, he acknowledged the importance of retaining a connection to his Canadian heritage, fostering a deep connection to both nations and valuing the cultures engrained in him.
“Just because I have become a Filipino, doesn’t mean I completely disconnect from who I am as a Canadian. There is so much value in staying connected to both who we are, and where we came from,” he noted.
Encouraging others to embrace the evolving journey of self and community discovery, Kulas echoed a spirit of optimism and openness to learning, affirming, “I will always be ‘Becoming’ as much as I am beyond grateful, inspired, and blessed to now be a Filipino.”
Kulas’ journey, beautifully chronicled through his YouTube channel since moving to the Philippines in 2013, has indeed been a source of inspiration, bridging gaps and fostering unity and understanding through a celebration of Filipino culture.
His vlog goes beyond mere exploration, reflecting his active participation in community rebuilding efforts, particularly during the devastating Supertyphoons Yolanda and Odette, and Typhoon Paeng.