Pinoy is 2009 CNN Hero of the Year!

  “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.”

- Efren Penaflorida, 2009 CNN Hero of the Year

Nobody has ever thought that a simple, inexpensive pushcart classroom will bring worldwide recognition not only to a Filipino educator based in Cavite but to the whole Filipino nation as well. It’s  everyone’s buzz these days. Yes, I am talking about Efren Penaflorida’s recent achievement in becoming the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year presented at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood (mind you!!) last Monday.

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 was given to the one with the most number of online votes in the CNN Heroes’ website. Peñaflorida became the first Filipino to become a nominee of the annual CNN Heroes’ awards and the first Filipino to win the top prize.

The Blue Panel included former US Secretary of State Colin Powell, actress Whoopi Goldberg, media tycoon Ted Turner, singer Shakira, and Sir Elton John, the CNN had reported. The project, already on its third year, is a tribute by the international news organization to selfless humanitarian acts of individuals from different countries.

Peñaflorida will receive $100,000, which 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.

The project is so inspiring that it has been replicated as well in many cities across the nation- Davao, Metro Manila and Zamboanga. Even as far as Kenya, one group there also put up a pushcart classroom

I hope the government can realize that if a young ordinary person like Efren can make a difference and send huve waves of hope to the needy ones, how come they can’t do the same? What are they exactly doing!?

A young man who has so much passion and determination to help others. You are an amazing hero of this generation. Congratulations Efren!!