By Azer Parrocha | Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has attributed his mild symptoms and quick recovery from COVID-19 to receiving his booster shot.
In the President’s latest vlog titled “BBM VLOG 219: Booster”, Marcos gave updates on his health after his second bout with COVID-19 and thanked those who wished for his quick recovery.
“Tapos na ang aking isolation period. Sa awa ng Diyos ay wala na akong sintomas at mabuti-buti na ang aking pakiramdam. Unang-una, ay gusto kong magapsalamat sa lahat ng nagparating ng kanilang pagbati at pangangamusta,” he said.
Despite testing positive for COVID-19, Marcos said he continued to work in isolation and used teleconferencing programs like Zoom to communicate with his Cabinet members and other officials.
“Nagpatuloy rin ang ating mga meeting at iba pang mga briefing nitong linggo kahit naka-isolate ako sa pamamagitan ng mga teleconferencing, yung mga Zoom. Mabuti na lang may mga ganyang teknolohiya na ngayon. Isa ito sa mga innovation na pinahusay pa ng pandemiya pero bahagi na rin talaga ng ating new normal,” he added.
He encouraged Filipinos to get their COVID-19 booster shots, stressing that his COVID-19 symptoms could have been worse if he did not receive his booster shot.
“Kukunin ko na rin ang pagkakataong ito para ihayag muli ang importansya ng pagbabakuna at lalo na ang mga booster shot. Ito nga ang pangalawang Covid ko na pero ang tingin ko kung hindi dahil sa vaccine at booster shot ay siguradong mas malubha ang naging tama ko,” he said.
Because he had already received his booster, Marcos said he only experienced a slight fever and sore throat. He also said the virus did not damage his lungs.
Booster shots crucial to F2F classes
Meanwhile, Marcos said the government, particularly the Departments of Health, the Interior and Local Government and Education, continue to spearhead information campaigns to convince the public to get their booster shots.
He also noted that getting booster shots is crucial to the resumption of full face-to-face classes and revitalizing the economy.
“Hindi naman talaga kailangan isabatas ito dahil malaya pa rin tayong mamili para sa ating sariling kalusugan. Pero habang tumatagal ay mas lumilinaw ang sinasabi ng siyensa, ang mga datos, at ang mga pag-aaral na ang pagbabakuna ay malaki ang naitutulong para sa ating kaligtasan mula sa COVID-19,” he said.
On July 8, Malacañang announced that Marcos had tested positive for COVID-19.
Marcos was declared free from all symptoms on July 13, the fifth day since he tested positive in an antigen COVID-19 test.
Two days after being free from COVID-19 symptoms, Marcos led the oath-taking of Ambassador Manuel Antonio Teehankee as the Philippine Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization.
His latest public engagement officially ended his mandatory seven-day isolation after acquiring COVID-19. — gb
