Locsin has long used her platform and reach to raise awareness about gender inequality. She has lent her voice to organisations seeking to end violence against women and children and joined a number of community counselling groups. 

She told Tatler Philippines that she was a big admirer of both Gina Lopez and Mother Teresa. “To me, [those] who encourage other people, who use their voice for the voiceless and promote volunteerism… these are [the people] I find the most influential,” she said.

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In 2009, the devastating Typhoon Ketsana spurred Locsin to use her platform to help victims through fundraising and relief efforts. “When all this was happening—seeing people on the news being evacuated, dying, their houses flooded—these were people whose faces we knew. Our friends, co-workers, relatives, even many of us were victims ourselves,” Locsin said to Tatler Philippines. “Of course, as an actress, I have plenty of shoes, clothes, bags that I don’t necessarily need. [During that time], I had a moment to realise how excessive [all] that was. So, together with Anne [Curtis], we began a Shop and Share project. We wanted to help the victims through fund-raising for rehabilitation, relief, or anything else needed at the time. That’s where it really started for me.”

She has since become increasingly passionate about social issues, and is involved in a number of charitable initiatives, including fundraising for the #UniTENTweStandPH campaign, a social media call out in the Philippines during the Covid-19 pandemic. The campaign successfully raised funds for 135 hospitals by providing 246 isolation tents and 21 sanitation tents, including various other necessities like air conditioning units and PPE supplies.

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Locsin told Tatler Philippines that during the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, she tried quite a few new hobbies. One of which was farming, which she described as something she’d wanted to do for a long time. “I’ve always wanted to put up a farm; I just wasn’t able to focus on it because I was always so busy. I’ve had a piece of land that’s been waiting to be developed. Now, I’m [finally] beginning that project. I want to help the environment, the community and those who need jobs or more food supplies,” she said.

See more Gen.T Honourees from the Entertainment category of the Gen.T List 2020