MANILA, Philippines -- Disaster response and preparedness expert Dr. Ted Esguerra, a co-host on DZMM's "Red Alert," has tested positive for COVID-19.

In a Facebook post, Esguerra said he is "okay and in a positive mood" while staying quarantined.

Speaking to DZMM on Monday morning, Esguerra said he got tested last Wednesday after experiencing severe body pains.

"Sumakit 'yung katawan ko, pero kakaiba siya," he recalled. "Ang hirap matulog. 'Pag pumihit ka, ang sakit. So Wednesday, nagpa-check ako, doon ako sa St. Luke's."

Esguerra only experienced mild fever but immediately isolated himself at home. On Sunday, he received the positive result from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).

"At least, naunahan ko, nag-quarantine na ako," he said. "Sabi ko nga, nakakatawa, kung kailan lumabas 'yung result, saka naman ako ayos na ayos."

Esguerra's family also got tested and are awaiting results. In the meantime, they are strictly enforcing physical distancing even within their house.

"Ginawa namin sa bahay, hiwa-hiwalay lahat," he said.

Esguerra, who was the doctor of the First Philippine Mount Everest
Expedition Team, is unsure of how he got the disease. He said they strictly followed the protocol installed by the government and medical experts, and took extra measures to disinfect their house.

However, Esguerra also stayed on the field, giving rides to health care workers, including his own wife, who is also a doctor.

"Kahit sinong health worker na makita ko, hinahatid ko. It's my way of helping also, other than giving PPEs sa mga frontliners, and giving advice," he said.

While in self-isolation, Esguerra advised Filipinos to boost their immune systems with plenty of rest.

"Ang message ko sa ating mga Kapamilya, ang makakapag-away talaga sa virus is your attitude in fighting against it," he said. "Ang katawan natin, may mga natural soldiers 'yan na nagre-release ng antibodies para kalabanin ang kung anong organismo na papasok sa katawan."

"Kailangan, makaporma lang ang katawan, at isa sa pinakamaganda doon is 'yung tulog," he added. "Ako, ang ginagawa ko, adequate sleep na ako."

As of Sunday, there are 1,418 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Philippines, with 71 fatalities.