Davide accepts ice bucket dare

CEBU, Philippines - After being dared to perform the international fad of dousing ice cold water and donating an amount for ALS research, Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III said he is willing to take the Ice Bucket Challenge next week.

Capitol Jail Consultant Marco Toral and some inmates Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) underwent the challenge Tuesday and nominated the governor.

Toral and the inmates donated P7,000 ($160) to the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Association, a non-profit organization fighting ALS or the Lou Gehrig’s disease.

“Why not? Kaya nato na oi. I think it’s for a good cause man pod,” Davide told a press conference yesterday.

The Ice Bucket Challenge involves dumping a bucket of ice water on someone’s head. This charity craze is part of a worldwide effort to promote awareness on the ALS disease and to encourage donations for the research on the discovery of its treatments and cure.

Meanwhile, news anchor Leo Lastimosa of ABS-CBN Cebu likewise accepted the challenge of Monster Radio BT 105.9 disc jockey June Rabin of Monster Radio BT 105.9 and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)-7 Director Ahmed Cuizon, who took the challenge last Wednesday.

In time with the anniversary of news program TV Patrol Central Visayas yesterday, Lastimosa took the dare that was recorded in a video uploaded on his Facebook account.

He also posted a photo showing his $100 donation to the ALS Association.

He said he was prompted to accept the challenge after seeing that if people starts refusing to join, donations for the cause would cease.

“Di gyod unta ko maghilas-hilas pagtubag sa Ice Bucket Challenge apan akong na-realize… nga kung ang unang mitubag ning maong hagit pareha sab og panghunahuna — mipasulabi pa ang ilang reservation sama nako — wa untay kapaingnan ning kalibutanong pagpangita og tambal ning makamatay nga sakit nga ALS,” he said in the video before he was doused with ice-cold water.

He then nominated Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas Cebu Chapter chairman Jun P. Tagalog and ABS-CBN’s June Perez, Tata Sy, and Mary Ann Uy to follow suit.

ALS, also known as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease,” is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.  Symptoms of ALS often include increasing muscle weakness, especially involving the arms and legs, speech, swallowing, or breathing.

Most people would only live two to five years after being diagnosed with the disease, which has no treatment yet. The ALS Association said there is one drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that “modestly extends” survival. (FREEMAN)