NOT OFFENDED. One of the memes of Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque that he shared on his Facebook account after he visited the famous Boracay Islands on Oct. 5. Roque on Wednesday (Oct. 7, 2020) said he was not at all offended by the memes of himself that went viral on social media. (Shared by OPS)
MANILA – Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque is relishing his moment as honorary member of the Avengers -- at least in one of the many memes made by netizens after his visit to Boracay Island.
On Wednesday, he shared on his personal Facebook account a set of his favorite memes after photos of him encouraging the public to visit the beach island went viral on social media.
Roque said he was not at all offended by the memes, adding that he was happy to be a source of everyone’s entertainment amid coronavirus-related lockdowns.
“Sa panahon ng pandemiya eh natutuwa ako na kahit papano meron tayong kontribusyon para maaliw ang ating mga kababayan (During the pandemic, I am glad that somehow we have a contribution to entertain our countrymen),” he said in an interview over PTV-4.
Asked if he had a favorite meme, he said: “Mas maganda yung kasama ko ang mga Avengers. Kamukha din ako ng mga Avengers (I liked the one where I was with the Avengers. I also looked like one of the Avengers).”
Other memes showed Roque playing basketball with members of the Shōhoku High School basketball team from the hit anime Slam Dunk, playing patintero with kids, parting the Red Sea to name a few.
“Kailangan po talaga natin na magkaroon ng konting aliw dahil alam niyo naman ang mensahe ng Presidente, bagamat nandiyan ang Covid-19 kaya po natin mabuhay inspite and despite, pag-ingatan lang ang ating buhay para tayo ay makapaghanapbuhay (We really need to have a little entertainment because the President’s message is that even if Covid-19 exists, we can continue to live in spite and despite of it as long as we take care of our lives so we can earn a living),” he said.
Roque held his Monday press briefing in the newly-reopened Boracay to entice travelers to visit and help boost domestic tourism.
“Panahon na po para tayo naman po ay magbakasyon matapos ang napakatagal na lockdown lalung-lalo na sa Metro Manila. Naghihintay na po ang pinakamagandang beach sa buong mundo -- Boracay -- open for business (It’s time to go on a vacation after a long lockdown especially in Metro Manila. The most beautiful beach in the world is waiting, it’s open for business),” he said.
Over the weekend, he shared a photo of himself sitting by the shore and watching the waves in the top tourist destination.
The photo was captioned: “Ang aking masayang lugar mula noon, hanggang ngayon (My happy place from then until now).”
Currently, travelers visiting Boracay will be subject to the test-before-travel regulation that requires a negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) result 48 to 72 hours prior to departure. (PNA)
