Philippine president gets Ice Bucket Challenge

By Jerwel Hipolito, Staff Reporter MANILA - Philippine President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III is the latest politician called on to take the Ice Bucket Challenge to raise awareness for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)—also known as Lou Gehrig's disease—a neurodegenerative disorder which affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.

In a video uploaded on YouTube, expat Travis Kraft, wearing a basketball jersey with Pilipinas emblazoned on it, nominated Aquino to take on the challenge. Kraft also challenged comedian Vice Ganda, singer Mikey Bustos and model Alodia Goseingfiao. They have not yet responded to the challenge.

The campaign has gotten massive popularity around the world, with celebrities and top athletes among the many people who have accepted the ice bucket challenge. Anyone who takes on the challenge pours a bucket of ice, cold water on their head and then nominate three people, who then have 24 hours to decide whether they will accept the challenge or donate money to alsa.org. Many have chosen to do both, helping the ALS Association raise $31.5 million in donations as of Thursday.

The unprecedented challenge has gone presidential, with US President Barack Obama and former US presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton getting challenged. Obama reportedly turned down the challenge, which came from pop star Justin Bieber.

George W. Bush said he was challenged by several people, including his daughter Jenna Bush Hager and golf star Rory McIlroy. In a video filmed at his residence in Texas, Bush said, "To you all who challenged me, I do not think it is presidential for me to be splashed with iced water, so I'm simply going to write you a cheque." Then his wife, Laura Bush, appears with a surprise. Watch this.

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