The coronavirus pandemic has spread to at least 219 countries and territories, with the worldwide death toll reaching more than 2.78 million.
It has become clear that COVID-19 may hit anyone, whether you're famous or not.
Since early March 2020, many of the biggest names in Philippine showbiz, sports, and politics have contracted the coronavirus.
From Iza Calzado, who contracted the virus as early as March 25, 2020; to Senator Miguel Zubiri, who tested positive for the virus three times; we list down the famous personalities who have tested positive for the disease. Find out in this gallery:
Ex-President and former Manila mayor Joseph "Erap" Estrada tested positive for COVID-19, according to his sons former Senator Jinggoy Estrada and Jake Ejercito.
Former Senator Jinggoy Estrada said on social media that former mayor Joseph Estrada initially tested negative on March 25, 2021 but was tested again after experiencing coughing, difficulty breathing, and weakness. He tested positive on March 29, 2021. On April 5, he was moved to the ICU and on April 6 he was put on mechanical ventilator as his pneumonia worsened.
Actress Iza Calzado revealed in an Instagram post on March 25, 2020 that she is confined in the hospital because of pneumonia pending her COVID-19 test results.
Three days after Iza's Instagram post, her manager Noel Ferrer confirmed that the actress tested positive for COVID-19. After a few days in the hospital, Noel confirmed that Iza tested negative on her COVID-19 re-test and was discharged on March 31, 2020 after completing her IV antibiotics. She recently celebrated one year of being COVID-free.
Actress Cherry Pie Picache revealed on March 25, 2021 that she went through the “scariest 3-week battle” during her bout with COVID-19. She is now one of the celebrity COVID-19 survivors.
Former Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle tested positive for COVID-19 on his arrival in the Philippines on Thursday, September 10.
In a press release by the Holy See, Cardinal Tagle, the Prefect of the Vatican Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, “does not have any symptoms and will remain in mandatory self-quarantine” in the country.
Veteran actor Christopher de Leon became the first Filipino actor to be tested positive for COVID-19. The actor himself confirmed that he is positive in an Instagram post.
After weeks of being confined in the hospital, Christopher de Leon's condition got better prompting his doctors to give him the go signal to go home. Christopher will undergo self-quarantine in their home until he recovers.
Senator Koko Pimentel confirmed that he tested positive for COVID-19 . The admission of the senator became a trending topic after reports claimed that he was at the Makati Medical Center when he found out that he's positive. The senator was in the hospital because his wife, Kathryna Yu-Pimentel, was supposed to give birth.
Kathryna Yu-Pimentel defended her husband, and said that Sen. Koko never reached the delivery room of Makati Medical Center.
Senator Miguel Zubiri was the first senator to be tested positive for COVID-19. An unnamed COVID-19 patient went to a Senate hearing as a resource person before testing positive for the virus.
Senator Sonny Angara became the third senator to be tested positive for COVID-19, following Senator Zubiri and Senator Pimentel.
In a text message released by GMA News, Senator Angara said that he has had “fever, cough, headaches, and general weakness.”
The singer of '90s band Mullato Joey Bautista died last March 19. At the time of his death, the result of his COVID-19 test was yet to be released.
After a few days, Joey's wife, Belinda Bagatsing confirmed that her husband died of COVID-19.
Fashion designer Ito Curata passed away on March 26 due to COVID-19 related complications. The renowned designer was said to have suffered from pneumonia after contracting the coronavirus.
In a report by Lifestyle Asia, Ito was confined at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center for a week before his death.
The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Felimon Santos tested positive for COVID-19, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana confirmed.
General Felimon Santos will be home quarantined until April 10 at his residence in Camp Aguinaldo.
MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia also tested positive for COVID-19.
MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia said he is doing well and only has mild symptoms.
Rizal Governor Rebecca Ynares was tested positive for COVID-19, her son, former Antipolo Mayor Casimiro “Junjun” Ynares III, said.
Junjun said that his mother, commonly known as Nini, is on quarantine and in stable condition.
Veteran actress Sylvia Sanchez confirmed that she is positive for COVID-19. Sylvia showed the result of her test in a post on Instagram.
Sylvia's husband, Art Atayde, also tested positive for COVID-19. Sylvia shared that she and Art experienced “chills and shortness of breath” on March 24.
Former senator Heherson Alvarez was admitted to Manila Doctors Hospital after testing positive for COVID-19. Heherson served as a senator from 1987 to 1998.
Department of Interior and Local Government secretary Eduardo Año has tested positive for COVID-19.
Año, the former Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said he had been in contact with current AFP Chief of Staff Felimon Santos and MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia.
Philippine Educational Theater Association founder and Senator Alvarez's wife Cecile Guidote is also in 'critical condition' at the Manila Doctors Hospital. She was also tested positive for COVID-19.
Former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos III has tested positive for COVID-19, his spokesperson Vic Rodriguez confirmed.
Bongbong's sister, Senator Imee Marcos, said that his brother felt "unwell" after arriving from Spain.
Former actress Niña Jose is also confirmed to have been infected by coronavirus.
Niña, and husband, Bayambang, Pangasinan mayor Cesar Quiambao made full recovery. In a statement, Mayor Cesar thanked everyone for their new life.
Kapuso actor Jon Lucas opened up about his COVID-19 experience on Facebook last Thursday, June 25. Jon narrated how he tested positive for a rapid test and how he experienced coughing and a fever prior to his positive test result.
Jon wrote in a Facebook post, “Ang lumabas don sa result ko '29 days onwards recovery' parang papagaling na yung infection sa katawan ko. Meaning parang dumaan lang siya.” Currently, Jon has already tested negative from the coronavirus.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte made a statement through the Quezon City Government Facebook account that confirms she has COVID-19. Part of it read, "Sa ngayon, maayos po ang aking kalagayan at wala po akong nararamdamang anumang sintomas."
Mayor Joy Belmonte clarified that despite practicing safety precautions, she caught the virus and needed to be isolate while recovering.
Her office in the Quezon City Hall as well as some common areas have been closed for disinfecting.
The award-winning broadcast journalist revealed in April that he tested positive for COVID-19.
In a GMA News and Public Affairs documentary, Howie made a tell-all of his battle with COVID-19 as Patient 2828.
Howie has already tested negative twice and made a full recovery. The reporter also donated his plasma to patients of COVID-19 with severe symptoms.
Bitoy's co-star in 'Pepito Manaloto' Maureen Larrazabal confirmed that she tested positive last August before they resumed taping for 'Pepito Manaloto.'
Although she tested positive for COVID-19, Maureen still does her usual routine of working out for two to three hours.
In an Instagram post, Diva Montelaba revealed that she is a COVID-19 survivor.
In her vlog, Diva shared that she didn't “have any symptoms, sipon lang talaga. Walang akong ubo, wala akong fever.”
Multi-awarded comedian and content-creator Michael V. revealed that he tested positive with the COVID-19 on his latest vlog on YouTube.
According to Bitoy, he experienced loss of his sense of smell and taste.
Actress Divine Lee tested positive for COVID-19 even though she didn't go out of their house since March 14, a day before the community quarantine was declared in Metro Manila.
Divine and her husband, Blake Go, have already been cleared from COVID-19.
'Wowowin' host Donita Nose confirmed she has tested positive for COVID-19 on July 27 through an interview in '24 Oras.'
The TV host went to a hospital after feeling symptoms of COVID-19 such as shortness of breath, fever, and diarrhea. She later on tested positive for COVID-19 and remains optimistic in fighting the disease.
Donita revealed in her '24 Oras' interview that dealing with COVID-19 is no joke especially since she is now in isolation. “Mag-isa akong lumalaban dito ngayon, as in wala akong kasama, magsi-CR ako, ako lang,” she said.
Former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim tested positive for the coronavirus on Friday, August 7. The news was confirmed by incumbent mayor Isko Moreno the same night.
The following day, the ex-Mayor passed away due to complications brought about by the virus. Many politicians, including former Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, sent their message of condolences to the grieving family.
Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. announced on Sunday, August 9, that he has contracted the coronavirus disease. The senator said that he and his family tested after a member of his staff and household tested positive for the same virus.
In addition to his statement, Bong Revilla announced that his wife Lani Mercado and their children are negative from COVID-19. Since testing positive he will continue his quarantine and will be under observation as per the advice of his doctor.
Vlogger Baninay Bautista and her boyfriend, vlogger Bont Bryan Oropel tested positive for COVID-19.
In a subsequent test last August 2, Baninay tested negative before she went back to work.
Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa confirms on November 21, 2020, that he has tested positive for COVID-19.
Aside from Senator dela Rosa, his eldest daughter, driver, and household helper have also contracted the virus.
Maureen Wroblewitz confirmed in November 2020 that she has contracted the coronavirus.
Maureen said she's lucky to have only mild symptoms.
The former 'Eat Bulaga!' host and model is spending her recovery at home in isolation.
In August 2020, Lovely Abella tested positive for COVID-19.
Despite not showing any symptoms, Lovely tested positive and had to undergo a 2-week self-quarantine.
In March 2021, a year after the pandemic officially began, actress Bianca Lapus admitted she has tested positive for COVID-19.
She also mentioned that she developed pneumonia on both lungs following her COVID-19 diagnosis.
In October 2020, actress and vlogger Alex Gonzaga confessed she contracted COVID-19 and isolated at home for weeks while recovering. Her parents, certain household helpers, and her husband, Lipa City councilor Mikee Morada, also tested positive.
After their recovery and delay of their wedding, Alex and Mikee finally tied the knot in January 2021 and began their happily ever after.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque announced on March 15, 2021 that he has become infected with the coronavirus.
He sad it came as a shock that he contracted the virus. The presidential spokesperson told the press he did not develop any symptom of the coronavirus.
In a vlog posted by Angeline Quinto posted on YouTube last Thursday, April 1, the singer/actress said she took an RT-PCR test after being exposed to someone who tested positive for the virus.
Veteran news anchor Ted Failon announced in a statement released on March 30, 2021, that he is positive for the novel coronavirus. "I am praying that I do not develop any symptom and if at all possible, I can continue working from home, via any communication means that is achievable, given the current state I am in."
In a video on Facebook, the journalist/host thanked everyone who has been praying for her and giving her support ever since she disclosed that she's COVID-19 positive. "Maraming maraming Salamat po sa inyong mga mensahe! I'm overwhelmed!Dasal ko na malagpasan naming lahat na Covid-19 positive ang laban na ito. Pls continue to pray for us lalo na po sa mga seryoso ang kalagayan. Mag-ingat at protektahan n'yo ang inyong sarili."
Comedian Dennis Padilla also caught the COVID-19 virus. In an article published by Manila Bulletin, Dennis said he contracted the disease after attending a small dinner with six friends. He experienced difficulty breathing and had pneumonia, but is fortunately COVID-free now.
Catholic lay preacher and minister Bo Sanchez revealed on April 1. 2021 that he tested positive for COVID-19. He said he has slight fever and cough and almost everyone in his family tested positive too.
Vlogger and actress Riva Quenery documented her 2-week battle with COVID-19, after she and her whole family contracted the virus. She revealed experiencing dry cough and loss of her sense of smell. Thankfully, she is now COVID-free.
Two members of vlogging trio Beks Battalion, Chad Kinis and MC Calaquian, tested positive for COVID-19. Chad revealed in a vlog on his personal YouTube channel that it was their friend, Tonton Soriano, who first caught the virus.
Actress Beauty Gonzalez recounted the COVID-19 battle that her husband, Norman Crisologo, went through. She said he had pneumonia and had a hard time breathing. Fortunately, he is now home and COVID-free.
Veteran singer Claire Dela Fuente passed away on March 30, 2021 due to cardiac arrest. Prior to her death, she has spent days in the hospital after testing positive for COVID-19. She is said to have comorbidities such as diabetes, anxiety, and hypertension.
On March 20, 2021, Angeli Valenciano, wife of Gary V., revealed that she tested positive for COVID-19. Fortunately, Gary V. announced that Angeli is finally COVID-free on April 3 after going through quarantine.
Rhian Ramos revealed through an Instagram post that she tested positive for COVID-19.
Rhian and her road manager Rach Librado were on quarantine together during their recovery period. Rhian said their symptoms started with a fever. There were days they felt better and other days they felt worse.
Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez confirmed to GMA News Online that he tested positive for COVID-19. The actor-turned-politician believes he got the virus from being exposed to "multiple people."