By Alexa Basa
Television and film industry workers started getting vaccinated against COVID-19.
These are the celebrity couples who received their vaccines together, shared their experiences, expressed gratitude to their local government units (LGUs) and encouraged others to get vaccinated as well.
Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera
Kapuso stars Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera were “sinovaxed” together in Taguig on June 12. The couple received their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Dantes was initially worried about getting his first vaccine, but “through research and consultation with experts,” he had overcome his apprehensions.
“This is my way of ensuring not only my health and safety, but also of my loved ones and my community,” he wrote.
The couple was part of the A4 priority group who were inoculated by Ingat Angat, a private sector aiming to open the economy safely.
Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez
Singers Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez-Alcasid were fully vaccinated against COVID-19 on June 2.
Alcasid admitted doubts about getting vaccinated because he initially preferred the Pfizer brand, but he said that Sinovac vaccines were “so far, so good.”
“Alam natin na marami pa rin ang nagdadalawang isip magpabakuna. Noong una ay Pfizer ang akala naming mahusay nguni’t sa aming mga nabasa pagkatapos ay kung ano ang ibigay yun ang pinakamabisa,” Alcasid wrote in his Instagram post.
“Naisip ko ang pamilya ko, at ang mga katrabaho ko. Kaya ako nagpabakuna, hindi lang para sa sarili ko, kundi para sa nakararami. Kaya maging protektodo, sa bakunang sigurado,” he added.
Jolina Magdangal and Mark Escueta
Singer Jolina Magdangal and Rivermaya member Mark Escueta were also fully vaccinated after receiving their second dose of the vaccine.
The couple was inoculated at the Batasan Hills High School on May 15.
Magdangal reminded people to be careful even though they were fully vaccinated to avoid contracting the disease.
“Sa lahat ng may vaccine na, ingat parin at stay safe. Sa mga wala pa sana maayos na kayo ay makapagpa vaccine,” she wrote.
Iya Villania and Drew Arellano
Iya Villania and Drew Arellano were among those who were first inoculated against COVID-19 when the government allowed vaccinating individuals in the workforce.
In her Instagram post, Villania said that she “has never been so excited about getting vaccinated before” and it is “very timely” as she will start to work outdoors again.
The host and actress also reminded citizens not to worry about the vaccines.
“All vaccinations being administered here are safe, effective and WHO approved! Let’s not be choosy,” she said, adding that she and husband “were more than happy to get Sinovac.”
Charlene Gonzalez and Aga Muhlach
Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzalez, together with their children Andres and Atasha, received their first jab of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Muntinlupa city government’s Facebook page shared photos on June 1 that the couple followed all required processes before they were vaccinated.
Gonzalez revealed that her family was inoculated with the Astrazeneca vaccine on May 31. She also thanked the LGU and urged people to get vaccinated.
“Thank you MunCoVac & Muntinlupa City for the seamless and easy vaccination process. Encouraging everyone to get vaccinated towards achieving herd immunity. Let’s protect our loved ones by getting vaccinated,” the beauty queen and actress said.
However, the couple and their kids drew some flak on social media, with netizens saying there was special treatment for the family.
The Department of Interior and Local Government investigated the issue and cleared the family because it was indicated in their medical certificates that they have valid comorbidities.
Maris Racal and Rico Blanco
Weeks after the confirmation of their relationship, actress-singer Maris Racal and Original Pilipino Music rocker Rico Blanco got their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine on June 12. The two shared that they got inoculated together.
“Yayy first dose sa araw ng kalayaan. Tara magpabakuna na, mga bestfriend,” Blanco wrote. It was also the former Rivermaya frontman’s first Instagram post with his girlfriend.
Jane Oineza and RK Bagatsing
Jane Oineza and RK Bagatsing got COVID-19 vaccine jabs on June 16. On Instagram, both said that they received their first dose of vaccine and urged others to get vaccinated.
“Pag meron na pagkakataon, please register and #GETVACCINATED. The quicker we get everyone vaccinated, the quicker we can all get back to normal,” Bagatsing wrote.
Ruru Madrid and Bianca Umali
The Kapuso celebrity couple posted their post-vaccination photos on June 16 with the same background and almost the same caption.
Madrid wrote, “protektado ang bakunado” while Umali captioned her photo with “ang bakunado ay protektado.”
