The need to help more. This is what prompted actresses Angel Locsin and Anne Curtis to create the website www.shopandshare.ph. After witnessing the devastation brought about by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng, the two plunged into whatever help they could give the victims. They donated money, clothes and food. They visited evacuation centers to assist in the distribution of relief goods.

But Angel wanted to go the extra mile by helping rebuild the lives of typhoon survivors. From the website she and Anne created, they forged a partnership with the Philippine National Red Cross and eBay, and launched the project "Shop & Share" last November 14, held at Sining Kamalig Art Gallery, Gateway Mall, in Cubao, Quezon City.

"Hindi lang po siya basta relief, e," Angel said. "Ang habol natin dito, siyempre, ang nangyari sa mga Pilipino ngayon, hindi makatao talaga, kaya ang gusto po natin ibalik 'yon. Yung rehabilitation para mas maipagpatuloy natin yung buhay nila. Yun ang goal namin. Makaipon tayo ng sapat na halaga, maayos na halaga, para mas marami pa tayong matulungan. Kaya nandito tayo ngayon, in partnership with eBay.

"Natutuwa kami, kasi napansin tayo ng eBay. Ini-waive off nila yung portion nila. Meron silang percentage, pero willing silang tanggalin 'yon para lang mas makatulong pa tayo," explained Angel during the launch.

What inspired her to pursue her cause?

"Kung napansin niyo, nung Ondoy pa lang, nasa labas na ako. Parang... ano pa? Ano pa ba yung kaya kong gawin? Ano pa yung puwede kong ma-offer? Nandiyan yung may tulong na pinansiyal, may tulong na manpower. Ano pa ba? So, iniisip ko dahil wala naman akong ginagawa ngayon, inisip ko, ano pa ba ang gagawin ko sa mga gamit ko? Ang mamahal ng mga bili ko pero hindi ko naman alam ang gagawin ko? Parang iniisip ko, bakit hindi tayo gumawa ng auction?

"Tayong mga nasa industriya, meron tayong mga gamit na sobra sa atin, medyo may kamahalan, pero hindi naman natin puwedeng gamitin nang sabay-sabay, di ba? So, ayun, ibinabahagi namin yung mga gamit namin sa ibang tao na mai-enjoy nila yung mga gamit namin, at the same time, makakatulong din sila."

MEETING MARIAN RIVERA. Since its launch barely one month ago, Shop & Share has sold over US$15,000. The project has been largely sustained through campaigns via social media, notably Facebook and Twitter. Among the celebrities who have contributed to this endeavor are Kris Aquino, Piolo Pascual, John Lloyd Cruz, Marian Rivera, Dingdong Dantes, Pokwang, Kim Chiu, Maxene Magalona, Ruffa Gutierrez, and Gerald Anderson.

Meeting Marian Rivera somehow settled the professional competition between them. Angel narrated how she met the prized talent of the Kapuso network.

"Tineks ko si Popoy [Carivativo, Marian's manager] kung puwedeng mag-donate si Marian at si Dennis [Trillo]. Pumayag naman siya, and I'm very happy na si Marian sobrang game. Ako pa yung kumuha ng picture niya hawak-hawak niya yung mga item na dinonate niya. Tinanong niya pa ako kung meron pa siyang maitutulong, lumapit lang daw ako," said Angel.

During the launch, Angel and Anne announced that Manny Pacquiao and more celebrities are donating their personal items to Shop & Share.

NO POLITICAL COLOR. How does she divide her time, especially now that she is about to start several projects with ABS-CBN?

Angel said she was already scheduled to begin her new TV series with the network. "Ayusin lang po namin muna itong Shop & Share."

She continued, "Nakakagulat nga, tawa kami nang tawa ni Anne, kasi minsan nag-a-upload kami, tapos hindi na kami nakakapag-usap, kasi iba talaga yung focus namin. Mahirap din, pero siyempre, iba naman yung kaligayahang natatanggap namin, di ba?"

There is a buzz that one of the reasons Angel was very visible with charitable works was that she is preparing to enter politics. Is this true?