“I am truly blessed to be here in the Philippines”

Vancouver Island man, Kyle Jennermann Filipino’s journey has made him a celebrity in the Southeast Asian nation.

But don’t call him a celebrity, says the 28-year-old from Comox Valley, who has made its mission to promote the Philippines by documenting his encounters.

“I love the Philippines and would be honored to be able to call myself “part Filipino,”, writes Jennermann on Facebook page, which has over 400,000 fans.

“Simply put, I am not Filipino. I don’t have a Filipino passport and it would be almost impossible for me to get one. Truth is I will never be able to say “I am Filipino”. But there are so many simple beautiful things that I have experienced and witnessed that make up Filipino culture… Things that I would be honoured to learn from, and be honoured to share with the world around me.”

Jennermann landed in the Philippines four years ago after travelling the globe.

"You go to a fiesta and people just open up their houses to random strangers and they give, and give and give — lots of food and drinks — sharing a lot of happiness," he told CBC during an interview from Manila.

"In return, they don't want anything."

"I have never had a day in the past two years where I'm not stopped for selfies or maybe people run up to me and give me high-fives," Jennermann, said about his life on the southern island of Mindanao.

He started his blog, #BecomingFilipino in 2014 after becoming "inspired by the simple things" he came across in Filipino culture, like the generosity in traditional fiestas.

A self-professed optimist with a penchant for storytelling, Jennermann says he shared that positivity online and it didn't take long to amass a following.

His blog led to a national television show, with a second season in the works.

None of it was planned, he said.

Before moving to the Phillippines, he travelled to 29 countries from Europe to Asia, but there was something special about the island country in Southeast Asia.

In his blog, #BecomingFilipino, Kyle Jennermann explores areas he says some would consider 'risky' or unsafe but he finds treasures like this blue lagoon in the southern province of Maguindanao.

"The way Filipinos love being happy, love finding excuses to be happy and love sharing that in an over-the-top way and it's not an awkward thing to do."

He said grand gestures of joy like singing in the streets, would be considered "crazy" in some countries  — but not in the Philippines.

His appreciation for that optimism registered even deeper after witnessing the challenges of life in the developing nation.

Poverty aside, he said the competition to succeed in a country with nearly 100 million people might be enough to bring some people down, but instead, he said his friends choose to see the brighter side of life.

He thinks the positive message in his blog is what has resonated so deeply with its citizens.

On Facebook, his fans affectionately refer to him by his Filipino name, Kulas.

"Every time I watch your videos, it bring tears to my eyes," Lily Dissonance wrote from Thailand.

"I really admire your determination and love for my country. I keep on telling my foreign colleagues here that the Philippines is far better than what you can read on the news."

Others call him the "perfect visitor" because of his willingness to immerse himself in their culture, according to a CBC report.

Gamila Tarek comments that she's envious of him, "I've [sic] born in Cotabato City, but no chance in my life to explore my native place .... your avid fan!"

Jennermann says he no longer calls B.C. home and doesn't plan to move back to Canada but that B.C. still has a special place in his heart.

“I am truly blessed to be here in the Philippines and right now… I am on a journey.  It is a journey all about sharing happiness, inspiration, love and adventure here in the Philippines,” stated Jennermann.

 For more on Kyle's journey, go to his website:  www.becomingfilipino.com.

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