When It Comes to Food, This Canadian Tourist Might Just Be More Pinoy Than You

(SPOT.ph) YouTuber Kyle Jennermann might be Canadian, but he claims to be a Pinoy at heart. With more than 400,000 subscribers on YouTube, the #BecomingFilipino vlogger acts as an unofficial ambassador of the Philippines by featuring some of the best things the country has to offer in his videos. “The Philippines inspired my life,” says Kyle.

“I believed that if I could introduce people to the country in positive ways, that it could inspire positive things not just in their lives, but the world around us.” In the last few years, Kyle has traveled the archipelago, eating local delicacies that most of us have probably never laid eyes on. Here, he tells us more about his love for the local culture and cuisine.


You’ve picked up a lot Tagalog and Bisaya words during your stay here. How would you describe the local cuisine in these languages?

Bisaya: Lami kaayo! Ganahan ko mag kaon diri… Kaon daghan!

Tagalog: Minsan medyo takot akong tignan ang cuisine. Pero, follow your taste buds! Masarap!

Everyone knows about your love for kinilaw. What are your other favorite Filipino dishes?

There are just so many delicious soups here in the Philippines. It is so comforting eating bulalo, sinigang, tinola, and all the different soups here. I love how Filipinos make soup! I am a massive fan of simple merienda. Ginanggang (grilled banana), puto with cheese, tabirac. The food in the Philippines is so diverse. Your taste buds will never be bored here.

You also have quite an adventurous palate. In Kalibo, you had a chance to try tamilok or woodworms. How would you describe the experience?

Tamilok? Funny, because they are actually pretty good dipped in vinegar, like eating any shellfish. But it is just so weird when you first see them, especially coming out of the wood. They look like freaking aliens!

You’ve also tried eating miracle fruit or calabash, which most people—Pinoys, included—have never heard of. What was that like?

The taste is like an “herbal elixir.” I guess the best way to describe it is [that it’s] like a magic potion. Seriously—the way it is boiled and turns black is like you are a witch making potion. The herbal medicine taste makes you feel this way, too.

What other local delicacies surprised you?

I just find it so fascinating how Filipinos can take things that Canadians like myself might find disgusting (due to our culture) and make them delicious. For example, sisig. I mean, realistically, it is a pig’s face. To Canadians, that is freaking terrifying and probably gross. We don’t ever see pigs’ faces for sale, let alone eat them. But here, sisig is incredibly delicious. If I wasn’t told what it was, I would never know. Filipinos are so good at using everything and making it delicious.

How do you look for your next food adventure?

Talk to the locals. The best way to find out what is unique is to just ask locals on the street or in local restaurants. I was just in Ifugao and the locals told me about a special type of chicken tinola called inlagim. I would have never known!



What are some of the challenges that you face as a foreigner traveling around the Philippines?

When it comes to communication and being able to befriend locals, the Philippines is one of the easiest countries in the world to do so for foreigners. Just like any country in the world, it can be tough at first to figure out all the different systems and how things work here. But realistically, the biggest challenge is deciding where to go. Once you realize how diverse this country is, good luck trying to pick where to go.

With so many islands to choose from and Kyle’s own adventurous spirit egging you on, it’s almost impossible to resist the call of the wild. However, make sure you have all your bases covered first. “When it comes to travel and expenses, I just pick a timeline and give myself a ‘specific overall budget,’ says Kyle. “Some days you spend more, and then other days you spend less to compensate.”



Like Kulas, wherever you plan to go, whether you want to take on the tamilok or go in search of miracle fruit, said budget has to be safe and easily accessible.

Opening a BDO account is easy, just bring two valid IDs and the minimum initial deposit, and head to the BDO branch near you! With BDO branches and ATMs across the country, digital banking, and fuss-free online booking, there’s no adventure you’ll miss out on.

Finding your proudly Pinoy experiences is now within your reach!

Learn more about BDO when you visit their website or follow them on Facebook.