Vispop Darling Jerika Teodorico returns with new single “BERNA”

Cebuano singer-songwriter Jerika Teodorico releases her new single “BERNA,” today, September 26. The track marks Jerika’s comeback after a self-imposed hiatus, and her first release since her 2022 debut album, LAYAT!

“BERNA” plays on the Filipino tradition of the Christmas season beginning the moment the “-ber” months hit: September, October, November, December—turning that shared cultural countdown into a cheeky, danceable ode to the season.

The song leans into Jerika’s more “bugalbugalon” side, channeling old-school chachacha with nods to Vulfpeck, The Beatles, Vengaboys, Sexbomb Girls, Vhong Navarro, and Lito Camo, plus 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 said of the track.

The track is eight years in the making. Written in 2018, it was repeatedly shelved as timing and circumstance got in the way, even through the pandemic. This year, Jerika and longtime collaborator Anjelo Calinawan finally found the “time, energy, and attention span” to finish what they started.

Calinawan, who has co-produced with Jerika since 2017, echoed the challenge and payoff of bringing the song to life: “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, YouTube, and all major streaming platforms. A karaoke version is also up for those who want to sing along.