Efren Peñaflorida is CNN Hero of the Year
Posted on November 23rd, 2009
Efren Peñaflorida, the man who started the “Kariton Klasroom” has brought pride to the whole Filipino people. Peñaflorida, or “Kuya Ef” was named CNN Hero of the Year for his innovative effort of bringing education to poor children.
Armed only with a pushcart goes to poor children and together with his team, the Dynamic Teen Company, and teaches the kids how to read and write.
Because of this, the 28-year old hero from Cavite City bested nine other contenders from different countries after getting the highest number of online votes, which reached 2.75 million in seven weeks.
Peñaflorida received $100,000 cash prize which he can use to continue his work with his team. He received the award from actress Eva Mendes at the conclusion of the “CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute” which was held at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood on Saturday night in the US.
He said, “Our planet is filled with heroes, young and old, rich and poor, man, woman of different colors, shapes and sizes. We are one great tapestry,” during his acceptance, as he urged the crowd to “be the hero to the next one in need,” and asked them to “serve well, serve others above yourself and be happy to serve.”
“As I always tell my co-volunteers… you are the change that you dream as I am the change that I dream and collectively we are the change that this world needs to be,” he added.
Peñaflorida was a member of Club 8586, a youth group in Cavite that financed his elementary and high school education. The organization nominated him for his advocacy of bringing education, through his pushcart, to poor children when the CNN announced early this year its annual search for Heroes.
Over 9,000 nominees from over 100 countries were received and sifted by the CNN’s Blue Ribbon Panel and soon narrowed them down to 28. On October 1, CNN announced its top 10 finalist for its Hero of the Year, and Peñaflorida was included.
I am one of those very very hard to please type of Filipino . Whenever I vote for someone’s accomplishment mostly international and prestigious, I look at his/her accomplishments in 360 degree- swerves. Unintentionally I came to the CNN Heroes voting web page and I saw Efren Penaflorida’s name and I read his soul- touching endeavors for the poor guys and this was visible on media. I think I need to vote for him and I really did. I am an international guy myself but Efren you deserve it well and hope you can continue doing so without trace of corruption and disloyalty. I now have a Philippine topic to talk about during free times in international gatherings!