Forty-four entertainment personalities led by Angel Locsin donated P6 million cash raised from an initiative that will help the country in the fight against COVID-19.
On Instagram March 25, Locsin said that the P6 million proceeds from Shop and Share online store will be split among five cities and an organization active in the fight against the pandemic.
The chosen beneficiaries are: Baguio City, Taguig City, Quezon City, Manila City, Pasig City and Philippine Red Cross.
This year, 44 entertainment personalities have given their personal items either for auction or selling.
These stars are: Angel Locsin, Anne Curtis, Arnold Reyes, Bea Alonzo, Billy Crawford, Catriona Gray, Chito Miranda, Dimples Romana, Dingdong Dantes, Dir. Ruel S. Bayani, Dr. Aivee Aguilar-Teo, Dr. Vicki Belo, Hayden Kho, Jodi Sta. Maria, Joshua Garcia;
Karla Estrada, Karylle Tatlonghari-Yuzon, Kathryn Bernardo, Kim Chiu, Liza Soberano, Marian Rivera-Dantes, Mariel Rodriguez-Padilla, Maris Racal, Mark Bautista, Maymay Entrata, Nikki Valdez, Ogie Alcasid, Pia Wurtzbach, Raymond Gutierrez;
Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, Rhea Tan, Richard Gutierrez, Rina Navarro, Robert Sena, Sarah Lahbati-Gutierrez, Scarlet Snow Belo, Solenn Heussaff, Sylvia Sanchez, Toni Gonzaga, Tony Labrusca, Vhong Navarro, Vice Ganda, Yael Yuzon, and Zsa-Zsa Padilla.
"In hopes of truly flattening the curve and helping our kababayans who are most in need, in the sectors of the urban poor and working groups, we have decided it is best to donate the rest of the proceeds of Shop and Share to LGUs and an organization that now have solid COVID-19 vaccination initiatives for members of their communities. This is in addition to the funding of COVID-19 tests conducted last year," Locsin said.
Locsin said: "These beneficiaries have reassured us that the funds we are donating will be used for Vaccinations and Testing especially for citizens on the priority list."
She thanked those who supported this year's Shop and Share online program.
"The Shop & Share Initiative goes back to 2009, when we, along with our friends from the Entertainment and Sports industries, started an online campaign to help raise funds for those who were affected by Typhoon Ondoy. With the help of those who donated and those who supported and bought pre-loved items, Shop & Share was able to provide essentials to families devastated by the typhoon via the Philippine Red Cross," Locsin said.
"A decade after, our help is once again needed. During this frightening time of COVID-19, let us all come together to help those who are in need and support the government in extending more COVID-19 tests to underprivileged Filipinos, those who might not get a chance to get tested even when it’s critical. So feel free to look through these special items and buy what you love -- and together we can help save lives.
"Shop&Share is dedicated to help our fellow Filipinos who need to be tested during this COVID-19 pandemic. It is our aim to provide testing kits to the underprivileged who are affected by this global crisis. We pursue this mission with compassion and kindness in hopes of aiding the government in increasing testing for COVID-19. If we all work together, we can get through this," Locsin added.