Aquino on ice bucket challenge: I have a cold

President Benigno Aquino III. AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Pass. That was President Benigno Aquino III’s response when asked about the ice bucket challenge that has been trending on the Internet.

“Huwag na muna nating pag-usapan dahil una kong ivo-volunteer

(icha-challenge) si (Media Relations Undersecretary) Rey Marfil,”

Aquino said in jest during an interview with Bombo Radyo on Thursday.

(Let’s not talk about that because I would volunteer Usec. Rey Marfil.)

The President added that he was also feeling a bit under the weather.

“Lalo ngayon may sipon ako medyo… (Especially now I have a cold),” he said.

His answer was no different from Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda’s response on Wednesday to a radio reporter.

“May lagnat ako ngayon at may ubo (I have fever and cough),” he said laughing during a Palace press briefing.

Lacierda, who kept coughing during the interview, said he would just donate money to the cause.

The ice bucket challenge first became popular in the United States to help promote awareness of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Participants are filmed while having a bucket of ice water poured on them. They would then have to nominate others to do the same challenge. Those nominated should do the challenge within 24 hours or donate to the ALS Association.

According to the ALS Association, ALS is a “progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.” The degeneration of motor neurons causes a patient to lose muscle movement control, resulting in paralyzation and even death.

The ice bucket challenge has also become popular in the Philippines, with prominent personalities taking on the challenge. Some had even made it into the front page of newspapers, including that of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.

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