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Efren Penaflorida is CNN Hero of the Year!

Posted on November 22nd, 2009 under We are Pinoys!

Efren Peñaflorida receives CNN’s 2009 Hero of the Year award [Daily World Buzz]

Let us all rejoice! Filipino educator Efren Peñaflorida has been awarded by CNN as “2009 Hero of the Year,” for his innovative Kariton Klasrum (Pushcart Classroom) advocacy.

Peñaflorida was awarded during the CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood. He received his award from American actress Eva Mendes. He bested nine other nominees from different countries for the Hero of the Year award. The nominees were initially selected by a panel of 14 “Blue Panel” luminaries but the Hero of the Year award is given to the one with the most number of online votes in the CNN Heroes website.

Peñaflorida is the first to Filipino nominated and to win the top prize.

The project, already in its third year, is a tribute by the international news organization to selfless humanitarian acts of individuals from different countries.

In his acceptance speech, quoted by CNN, Peñaflorida 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. Each person has a hidden hero within, you just have to look inside you and search it in your heart, and be the hero to the next one in need.”

“So to each and every person inside in this theater and for those who are watching at home, the hero in you is waiting to be unleashed. Serve, serve well, serve others above yourself and be happy to serve. As I always tell to 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.”

Peñaflorida will receive $100,000. This will be used to fund his work in the Dynamic Teen Company (DTC), a volunteer organization that he put up to conduct his “Kariton Klasrum” program.

Peñaflorida’s program conducts weekly visits to poor and underserved areas in Cavite, north of Luzon, to teach young people basic lessons in Mathematics, English, and Science using only a specially designed pushcart.

Peñaflorida said he will continue holding weekly lessons and hopes that it will encourage other people to lend time to help others in need.

Last Thursday, Peñaflorida, 28, flew to the US to attend the CNN’s awarding ceremony, being one of its 10 heroes for 2009.

The DTC earned worldwide recognition for recruiting teenagers as volunteer teachers to streetchildren in Cavite City. To reach the poor children, the DTC goes around the city carrying pushcarts loaded with books, blackboards and other school supplies.

DTC’s current chief executive officer Emanuel Bagual said DTC’s newfound international fame had brought many positive changes in the group.

Before, DTC members had to sell old bottles and newspapers to earn money and sustain their operations. But after DTC was featured in the media, the group started receiving private donations to support their operations. These have enabled the group to increase the number of its pushcart classrooms from two to four.

In October, CNN chose its 10 heroes from over 9,000 submissions. The 10 heroes, which included Peñaflorida, were selected by an elite Blue Ribbon Panel including former US Secretary of State Colin Powell, actress Whoopi Goldberg, media tycoon Ted Turner, singer Shakira, and Sir Elton John, the CNN had reported

Efren Penaflorida is CNN Hero of the Year!

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