'SpongeBob SquarePants' creator dies at age 57

LOS ANGELES - "SpongeBob SquarePants" creator Stephen Hillenburg, who brought the zany cartoon marine underworld of Bikini Bottom to television, the movies and the stage, has died at the age of 57, the Nickelodeon television network said on Tuesday.

Hillenburg had said last year that he was suffering from the neurodegenerative disease ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. He died on Monday.

"We are incredibly saddened by the news that Steve Hillenburg has passed away following a battle with ALS," the network said in a statement. "He was a beloved friend and long-time creative partner to everyone at Nickelodeon, and our hearts go out to his entire family."

Hillenburg was a marine biology teacher in Southern California when he started creating sea creatures as teaching tools.

The first episode of "SpongeBob SquarePants," featuring the cheerful yellow sea sponge, who lived in an underwater pineapple, and his friends Mr. Krabs, Larry the Lobster, Patrick, and their Krusty Krab restaurant hangout, aired on US television in May 1999.

The series went on to win multiple awards, produced a series of spin-off books, 2 Hollywood movies, and a Broadway musical. The television series has aired in more than 200 nations and has been translated into more than 60 languages.

"Steve imbued SpongeBob SquarePants with a unique sense of humor and innocence that has brought joy to generations of kids and families everywhere," the Nickelodeon statement said.

"His utterly original characters and the world of Bikini Bottom will long stand as a reminder of the value of optimism, friendship and the limitless power of imagination."

Nickelodeon is a unit of Viacom.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

WATCH: Donaire raises $5K in Ice Bucket Challenge

Donaire calls out Pacquiao to follow suit

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino boxing champion Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire took the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge to the next level and has so far raised $5,000 in his "Las Vegas" style event after being called out by former wrestler Dave Bautista.

Bautista last Monday challenged Donaire to the Ice Bucket Challenge that has swept the United States recently, which aims to raise awareness about Lou Gehrig's Disease as well as funds for the ALS Foundation.

Several celebrities and athletes have already participated in the Ice Bucket Challenge, wherein a bucket of ice water is dumped over them, followed by a callout to other personalities of their choice.

Donaire however changed up the challenge a bit, and in the process has raised $5,000 and counting.





"We heard people were complaining of two things: no money donated and water wasted," Donaire said on his Facebook account on Wednesday. "So we Vegas styled it up."

Instead of just dumping ice water over himself, Donaire instead sat on top of a tank and challenged his friends to hit a target, with certain amounts of money being donated for each hit.

"Every ball thrown had a price to throw on it so all that goes to #ALS and we still got dunked for charity," said Donaire, who posted a video of himself getting dunked into the ice cold water.

"We all got in the same ice water and recycled it in the pool and my landscape," he added.

Donaire then proceeded to challenge Manny Pacquiao, Frank Gore, Top Rank's Todd DuBoef and Draymond John.

He is the second athlete to call out the "Pacman," after American boxer Chris Algieri did the same Tuesday.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com