McDo Phl owner, gov’t execs take challenge

MANILA, Philippines - The owner of McDonald’s Philippines joined government officials yesterday in taking the ice bucket challenge, which has gone viral on Facebook.

Kenneth Yang, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares took a break from their busy schedules to accept the challenge.

Bureau of Internal Revenue chief Kim Henares also took on the challenge and got drenched.

De Lima and Henares, among the high-profile members of the Cabinet, took on the worldwide campaign to raise funds and awareness for Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

Seated on a monobloc chair, the justice secretary got drenched with two buckets of ice-cold water near the parking lot of the Department of Justice building.

De Lima dared her known rival, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, as well as former senator Panfilo Lacson and Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr. to take the challenge.

“I love challenges, especially for a worthy cause. There are many people who took on this challenge all over the globe. They should take this on because it’s a worthy cause,” she told reporters.

 De Lima said she will be donating $100 to the ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) Association in Washington, which started the ice bucket challenge.

Megaworld chairman Andrew Tan earlier accepted the ice bucket challenge.

Other personalities in the business community who took the splash for a cause were Kenneth Yang, president and CEO of McDonald’s Philippines-Golden Arches Development Corp., and Asian Institute of Management president Steve Dekrey.

Dekrey, in turn, dared Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima to take the challenge, while Yang nominated Guillermo Aponte of Coca-Cola Philippines.

Erap won’t take ice bucket dare

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada is not going to pour a bucket of ice-cold water over his head for charity.

He rejected yesterday the challenge made by former Ilocos Sur governor Luis “Chavit” Singson, saying he helps people in need even without publicity.

“I don’t have to undergo the ice bucket challenge. Nagdo-donate ako to those in need since I became a mayor,” Estrada told reporters.

The former president said he will not take the challenge just for show.

“You can donate to charity without taking the ice bucket challenge. Palabas lang yan (That’s all for show),” Estrada said.

Singson took on the challenge and dared Estrada to do the same.

President Aquino’s sister Kris Aquino, comedian Vice Ganda and other local celebrities took the challenge on television.

Even former US President George Bush took the challenge, with his wife Laura pouring ice water over his head.

Salceda takes a splash

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda took his challenge dressed in a suit and tie.

 In a video posted yesterday on his Facebook page, two kids poured buckets of ice-cold water over Salceda’s head. He has donated $100 to www.als.org.

He said he took the challenge because he believes it “promotes one of the goods of social media, which mobilizes civic spirit to fight the disease.”

Salceda also did it for patients with myelodysplastic syndrome, whose cure remains experimental and expensive. – Michael Punongbayan, Charmie Joy Pagulong