Andrew Tan takes ice bucket challenge

MANILA, Philippines - Billionaire industrialist Andrew Tan became the first Filipino tycoon to take the ice bucket challenge yesterday, pouring a pail of ice cold water over his head at his home and promising to donate an unspecified amount in the fight against Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

The Megaworld chairman, in a video, also dared three other businessman to take the challenge: McDonald’s Philippines – Golden Arches Development Corp. president Kenneth Yang, Asian Institute of Management president Steven DeKrey and Accenture Philippines country head Manolito Tayag.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said she would take the challenge in her office this afternoon because “it’s for a worthy cause.” Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares promised to do the same at an unspecified date and said she would also donate.

This developed even as a Philippine Heart Association fellow warned that the global charity craze could lead to heart attack and high blood pressure.

Cardiologist Willie Ong told The STAR that in some cases the blood pressure may drop suddenly, causing the individual to collapse. This could be particularly harmful to the elderly, pregnant women and the ailing.

The ice bucket challenge was introduced by Washington-based ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) Association this year to raise awareness of the disease and encourage donations for research.

Challenged individuals will have to comply within 24 hours or forfeit by giving financial donation. According to its website, the ALS Association already collected $70.2 million in donations as of Aug. 24.

Ong noted that while the ice bucket challenge is being done for charity, which is good, the activity poses “slight risks” to people such as the elderly, pregnant women and those with health problems.

Ong also cited cases abroad where the buckets fell on the heads of those doing the challenge, causing injuries. He said it is better to do it while seated. – With Edu Punay