MANILA, Philippines?Actress Claudine Barretto has a new baby. Make that, babies?120 to be exact?wards of the Shepherd of the Hills Children?s Foundation, which has orphanages in Quezon City, Zambales and Baguio.

As she wraps up the ABS-CBN series ?Iisa Pa Lamang,? Claudine busies herself with work for the orphanage, which she joined last September. She told Inquirer she waited two years before committing herself. In 2006, Christine Bersola introduced Barretto to Ruth Mejica, who heads the foundation with husband Nathan. They turned out to be Barretto?s Victory Church-mates.

?Their story is inspiring,? Barretto said. ?They took over from Nathan?s late parents, who started the foundation 31 years ago.?

The actress said she didn?t jump hastily into social work. ?My pastor (Robert Hern) told me I should wait till I was [sure]. One day in October, at 3 a.m., I called Ate Ruth and told her I was ready. She cried. I didn?t know they had thought of quitting because of financial problems.?

Barretto called on friends to help. ?Among the first to respond was Edu Manzano, ninong of my one-year-old son Santino,? she related.

Mejica describes Barretto as a ?passionate supporter,? who also volunteers as pre-school teacher. Barretto explained, ?I?m the youngest in our family but I?ve always wanted to be ate. As a kid, I often asked my parents if we could adopt.? (With husband Raymart Santiago, she is the proud adoptive parent of Sabina, now 4 years old.)

Barretto urges prospective donors to call tel. 439-3694 or (0919) 658-7191.