Filipino celebs, officials get COVID-19 jabs

By NG Seruela and Alec Go

As the Philippines continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic that shows no sign of abating after a year, many prominent Filipino personalities have shown their support for the national government’s vaccine program and its aim to stop the spread of COVID-19 nationwide.

Health experts believe that the vaccine, along with practicing the minimum health standards, is the only protection against the viral disease. However, due to the limited supply, vaccine prioritization is being implemented in the country until herd immunity is achieved.

The national government is expecting the arrival of more vaccines in the country as vaccine manufacturers ramp up their production to supply the world, especially countries that need it most.

To encourage the public to get inoculated, here are various Filipino personalities who’ve had their first COVID-19 jabs: 

1. Willie Revillame

“Wowowin” host Willie Revillame announced on his show on April 13 that he has been vaccinated against the disease at the age of 60. He encouraged the public to get vaccinated and said he did not feel anything untoward after his inoculation. 

2. Jaime and Bea Zobel de Ayala 

Ayala Corporation Chairman Emeritus Jaime and his wife Bea Zobel de Ayala were seen waiting in line to get their COVID-19 vaccination in North Forbes, Makati City on April 14. According to a witness, they were offered the chance to go to the front of the line, but they respectfully declined. 

3. Ogie Diaz

Filipino comedian Ogie Diaz wrote on his Facebook page that he received his first dose of the vaccine on April 7. 

4. Angel Locsin’s parents

Angel Locsin posted a photo of her parents getting their shots on her Instagram account. She even wrote that her parents did a “Good “jab.””

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Angel Locsin (@therealangellocsin)

5. Bam Aquino 

Former senator Bam Aquino received his shot against the viral disease on April 12. He shared his experience on his Facebook account, from booking a vaccination day to getting the actual shot. He encouraged the public to get inoculated after seeing the sacrifice and dedication of the frontliners at the vaccination area.

6. San Juan Mayor Francisco Zamora 

San Juan Mayor Francisco Zamora posted a photo of himself receiving the vaccine on April 16. He urged all residents of San Juan to get their jabs in order to “protect themselves, their families, and their communities.”

7. Tim Yap

TV and radio host Tim Yap shared his COVID-19 vaccination experience on his Instagram account. He said that because he fell under the A3 category, he registered for the vaccination program in their community and encouraged others to also get vaccinated. 

 

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A post shared by Tim Yap (@officialtimyap)

8. Daphne Oseña Paez

Celebrity Daphne Oseña Paez posted a selfie on her Facebook account after getting her first shot. She said she feels “great” and that she is “very grateful and hopeful” after not feeling side effects except for a “little lethargy.”

9. Gretchen Barretto

In a report and video shared three days ago by Bilyonaryo, a news website focusing on family business and elite individuals, the 51-year-old actress was seen receiving her first shot of the vaccine.

10. Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso

The mayor of Manila City received his first jab on April 4 after the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) allowed the inoculation of local chief executives in COVID-19 hot zones.

The vaccine was administered by Manila Vice Mayor and physician Honey Lacuna.

BREAKING: Manila City Vice Mayor @HoneyLacuna inoculates Mayor @IskoMoreno with Sinovac’s COVID-19 vaccine #AlertoManileno #COVID19PH pic.twitter.com/nt5y2vUGrD

— Manila Public Information Office (@ManilaPIO) April 4, 2021

11. Vaccine Czar Carlito Galvez Jr.

Galvez received his first shot when Philippine government began the inoculation of healthcare workers on March 1 at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) using the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines donated by China. 

The National Task Force Against COVID-19 chief implementer  was among the few officials tapped by President Duterte to be vaccinated immediately to help boost vaccine confidence in the country.

12. Benhur Abalos

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairperson Benhur Abalos received CoronaVac at the PGH on March 1 along with Galvez and PGH Director Dr. Gap Legaspi.

“Ako po ay talagang nagboluntaryo ngayon dahil sa nangyari sa pamilya ko noong nakaraang buwan. Sana hindi na maranasan ng iba ang naranasan namin [I volunteered because of what happened to my family the previous month. I hope others will not have to go through our experience],” Abalos said, citing a family member’s death from COVID-19.

Many individuals who have been inoculated are urging the public to trust science and take advantage of the protection given by the vaccine.

Read more: COVID-19 vax recipients share why they took the shot and why you should, too

Many known personalities and celebrities abroad also received their COVID-19 vaccines as countries implement massive vaccination drives to put an end to the deadly disease.

Read more: International celebs who’ve received the COVID-19 vaccine

In his latest public address on April 15, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte told vaccine-hesitant individuals that their reluctance could put more people at risk.

“May mga iba diyan na ayaw talaga magbakuna. Eh ‘di okay na lang ‘yan sa akin. Ang problema kung makahawa ka [There are other who do not want to get vaccinated. That is fine with me. The problem is you can infect others],” he said. – jlo