MUMBAI: Oscar-nominated Hollywood actor Penelope Cruz is the latest high-profile movie star to join the the MasterCard Priceless Moments eBay charity auction.

Cruz’s involvement will now allow one lucky bidder an opportunity to accompany the actress to the opening of her next movie.

The charity auction, now entering its second phase, has to date secured nearly $100,000 in bids. The charity auction, which opened for worldwide bidding on 14 May 2007 at www.ebay.com/pricelessmoments, offered people worldwide the opportunity to fulfill their dreams by bidding online for over 50 ‘money-can’t–usually-buy’ priceless moments with South African and International celebrities, business people, movie and sports stars.

“The first phase of the charity auction has been a huge success. We received nearly 200,000 hits on www.ebay.com/pricelessmoments, which is nearly double what comparable international charity auctions on eBay have received in the past,” said South African Children’s Charity Trust (SACCT) director of the auction organizers Dawie Crous.

The second phase of the auction will conclude on 8 June 2007.