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Filipino personalities diagnosed with COVID-19
By MA. ANGELICA GARCIA,GMA NewsOver the past half a year, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has infected more than 300,000 individuals in the Philippines, a number of them are politicians, government officials, celebrities, athletes, and other personalities.
Here are some of them:
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri
, among the first high-level officials to contract the disease, told reporters that he received a call from Health Secretary Francisco Duque III confirming that he is COVID-19-positive after experiencing slight fever in March.
Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III in a statement he tested positive for the virus after experiencing fever, slight sore throat, body pain and diarrhea.
Senator Sonny Angara confirmed in March that he was hospitalized for COVID-19.
Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. in a statement on August 9 said he was in isolation and under observation after testing positive for COVID-19.
Former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. found out he was positive for COVID-19 after receiving his result from the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine on March 28.
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año also tested positive for the virus on March 31.
Then Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Felimon Santos Jr. has tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana confirmed on March 27.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority General Manager Undersecretary Jojo Garcia on March 28 confirmed he has tested positive for the viral disease.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte in July said she was positive for COVID-19 but was asymptomatic.
Rizal Governor Nini Ynares has been found positive for COVID-19, according to a post on Facebook by her son Jun on March 25.
Bayambang, Pangasinan Mayor Cezar Quiambao and his wife actress Niña Jose got infected with COVID-19 in early April.
Actor Christopher de Leon was the first celebrity in the Philippines to announce he tested positive for COVID-19.
In late March, actress Iza Calzado said she suffered pneumonia and was positive for COVID-19.
Actress Sylvia Sanchez on March 31 announced she and her husband Art have tested positive for COVID-19.
Comedian Michael V. announced in a vlog post on July 20 that he experienced flu-like symptoms and was positive for COVID-19.
On April 7, veteran journalist Howie Severino announced in a personal essay published on GMA News Online that he tested positive for COVID-19.
Theater luminary and Ramon Magsaysay awardee Cecile Guidote-Alvarez has been discharged from the hospital after battling COVID-19 in April, her daughter Atty. Xilca Alvarez-Protacio said.
Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo announced on July 23 that he tested positive for COVID-19 but is asymptomatic.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle has also tested positive for the virus, the news service of the media office of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines reported on September 11.
Deaths
Joey Bautista, the lead singer of rock band Mulatto, died due to COVID-19, his wife Belinda Bagatsing announced on March 21.
Veteran fashion designer Ito Curata has passed away due to complications brought by COVID-19, his friend and fellow fashion designer Joey Galon made the announcement on Facebook on March 28.
Jolet delos Santos, the vice mayor of Jala-Jala, Rizal died a few days after testing positive for COVID-19, his son said on March 31.
Guidote-Alvarez's husband, former Senator Heherson "Sonny" Alvarez, who was reported to have tested positive for COVID-19, died in late April, according to PDP-Laban Executive Director Ron Munsayac.
Cebu City Councilor and former Congressman Antonio Veloso Cuenco succumbed to COVID-19 at 84 years old, his son James announced on June 27.
Yana Bautista, an incoming freshman and newly recruited football player for Ateneo de Manila University, died in late July due to complications of COVID-19. She was 17.
High-profile inmate Jaybee Sebastian, who was the key witness in the Bilibid drug trade, died on July 18 due to COVID-19.
Former senator and Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim passed away on August 9 due to COVID-19, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno announced in a Facebook video. He was 90 years old.
Sorsogon 2nd District Representative Maria Bernardita "Ditas" Ramos has passed away after testing positive for COVID-19, House Deputy Majority Leader Xavier Jesus Romualdo announced on September 8. -MDM, GMA News