Cebuano singer-songwriter Jerika Teodorico is back with BERNA, a new single out now on all major streaming platforms. Released September 26, it’s her first release since her 2022 debut album, LAYAT!, and marks her comeback after a self-imposed hiatus.
BERNA plays on the Filipino tradition of Christmas starting the moment the -ber months hit. September, October, November, December: that shared countdown becomes a cheeky, danceable ode to the season.
The Vispop track leans into Jerika’s “bugalbugalon” side, channeling old-school chachacha with nods to Vulfpeck, The Beatles, Vengaboys, Sexbomb Girls, Vhong Navarro, and Lito Camo. There’s also the unmistakable sound of Christmas music blasting over Metro Gaisano loudspeakers.
“It’s a love letter to the -Ber months, fruit salad (no macaroni and more nata de coco pls), 90s kids getting forced to dance in front of relatives, and my dearly departed Tita Berna, who always made sure I had pancit basta naa’y hikay sa ilaha,” Jerika says of the track.
Why Jerika Teodorico waited eight years to release BERNA
The song was written in 2018 and repeatedly shelved as timing and circumstance got in the way, even through the pandemic. This year, Jerika and longtime collaborator Anjelo Calinawan, who has co-produced with her since 2017, finally found the “time, energy, and attention span” to finish what they started.
Calinawan says the challenge was part of the fun: “Lisod kaayo ang gipangayo ni Jerika kay unsaon man pag combine sa low-volume funk ug sa Sexbomb? We’ll let the audience be the judge og nakuha ba LOL.”
BERNA is out now on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube, with a karaoke version for anyone who wants to sing along. Follow Jerika on Instagram at @master.biboy.
Behind the Song
BERNA was written by Jerika Teodorico, with all instruments, programming, recording, mixing, and mastering by Anjelo Calinawan at OC House. Artwork by Carlos Miguel Canga and Les Paul Pineda. Executive producer: WK Records.
