MANILA, Philippines -- Fresh from her foreign trip, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo canceled her itinerary for a few days, including a regular Cabinet meeting, as she began her self-quarantine Tuesday as part of the protocol against the Infuenza A(H1N1) virus.

Arroyo arrived from an 11-day swing through Japan, Brazil, Colombia and Hong Kong Monday night. She had not shown signs of the flu as of Tuesday, but decided to check in at the Asian Hospital to "show example," Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said in a briefing.

"That's precisely because of the President going on quarantine,'' he said, confirming that Tuesday morning's Cabinet meeting was canceled.

In the middle of the briefing, Remonde got a call from Arroyo, who confirmed she was on self-quarantine. "It's not mandatory, but since it's advisable...,'' he trailed off.