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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider De la Peña shares having 'senior moment' when using PPE

De la Peña shares having 'senior moment' when using PPE

Published Feb 18, 2021 03:16 pm

Department of Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña, 71, is one of the senior citizens in the Duterte Cabinet.  He said to be one of the hardworking Cabinet members but candidly shared having some senior moments at work.

Department of Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato dela Peña
(TOTO LOZANO / Presidential Photo / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

When he attended a public engagement on Thursday,  Feb. 18, the Cabinet official momentarily got confused about wearing his protective gear against the coronavirus and blamed it on old age. 
“Minsan nalilito na ako kung alin ang susuotin ko, dito sa tatlo, salamin ba,  maskara ba, o face shied? (Sometimes, I got confused which one to wear among the three, eyeglasses, mask or face shield),” he said before delivering his message for the launch of country’s first innovation hub aimed at scaling up researches on food and nutraceutical products.

He even took the opportunity to remind the public to strictly follow the health protocols set by the government. 

“We use the mask and face shield all the time except when we will speak. When we will speak , we are allowed to remove the mask, but we are required to use face shield,” he said. 

De la Peña was seen removing his mask and continued wearing his face shield before delivering his speech. 

In a Viber message to the Manila Bulletin, he said that sometimes, he was having “senior moment” when wearing his face mask and face shield, especially when he has speaking engagement, or when he has to drink and wipe away his sweat.

"Senior moment. Tatlo kasi --eyeglasses , mask and  face shield. Pag-iinom, pag mag-speech, pag magpapahid ng pawis (I have to wear three—eyeglasses, mask and face shield. When drinking, when I am about to deliver a speech, when I have to wipe away my sweat) ”, shared de la Peña, who has four grandchildren. 

De la Peña was appointed by President Duterte to lead the DOST in 2016.

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