Purisima, Roxas take ice bucket challenge

MANILA, Philippines - Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas and Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima yesterday joined the growing roster of government officials taking on the ice bucket challenge.

Nominated by ABS-CBN anchor Doris Bigornia, Roxas was dared to get wet by dumping a bucket full of ice and water on his head part of efforts to raise funds for awareness and research on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a degenerative nerve ailment also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Roxas, in turn, nominated Purisima, Education Secretary Armin Luistro and Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson.

Purisima, wearing a De La Salle University jersey and black shorts, posted yesterday a video via Telly of himself taking the challenge. 

Sen. Bam Aquino also accepted the ice bucket challenge yesterday with the assistance of some members of his staff, pouring ice water on himself at the garden area of his Senate office at the fifth floor of the Senate building.

The senator pledged an entertainment system to the neurology ward of the Philippine General Hospital where there are ALS patients confined.

Aquino then nominated Education Secretary Armin Luistro, Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman, the members of the Eraserheads band and actors Richard Gomez, John Estrada and Joey Marquez to also take the challenge.

Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara is doing his ice bucket challenge today, a staff member said.

Purisima drenched himself with two buckets of freezing water, to meet the challenge of Roxas and Asian Institute of Management president Steve DeKrey.

After dumping ice cold water over his head, Purisima nominated six people to do the same – Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas governor Amando Tetangco, Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras, Customs Commissioner John Sevilla, Jollibee founder Tony Tan Caktiong, Banco de Oro chairman Tessie Sy-Coson, and former Red Ribbon owner Romy Mercado.

The ALS Association has raised $88.5 million to date.  Donations in the last week alone have brought in over $65 million, a staggering figure when compared with the $2.6 million raised in the whole of 2013.

Justice Secretary Leila De Lima and Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares also took the challenge on Tuesday, as did Albay Gov. Joey Salceda.

In the corporate world, real estate magnate Andrew Tan was the first Filipino tycoon to participate in this worthy cause.  

Kenneth Yang, president and CEO of Golden Arches Development Corp. that owns the McDonald?s franchise in the Philippines, also took the challenge the other day.

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte turned down yesterday the ice bucket challenge made by De Lima.

?I have pneumonia and I just came from the ICU (intensive care unit). It is impossible for me to accept the challenge. But let me see first what it is and how much I can donate,? said Duterte. However, his son Paolo, Davao City vice mayor, took the challenge.

Aside from Duterte, De Lima also urged former senator Panfilo Lacson and Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas to take on the ice bucket challenge.

Rep. Tupas, who chairs the House committee on justice, accepted the challenge of De Lima and announced that he will have himself doused at 11 a.m. today at the parking lot of the south wing annex of the Batasan Pambansa building in Quezon City.

He said he will also donate $100 to the ALS Foundation.

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada has declined, saying he didn?t have to accept the dare hurled at him by former Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson.

“Why? I don?t need to wash myself. Maybe it?s him (Singson) who needs it. He has many sins,” Estrada said.

Vice President Jejomar Binay said even if he wanted to he could not stand the ice bucket challenge. – With Jose Rodel Clapano, Jess Diaz, Edith Regalado