Efren Peñaflorida CNN Hero of The Year Winner
Filipino Efren Peñaflorida Jr. Named 2009 CNN Hero of the Year.
Each generation has its own share of heroes or heroines that emerges out of nowhere as they show noble heart with unparalleled motives and unwavering commitment. Whether to fight for the right of others so that bright future will await many or will save lives when danger or even death is lurking. Heroes or heroines are often heard and seen spending most of their precious time utilizing their knowledge and skills to the fullest so that others might get the lift and somehow taste human compassion, and alas, some heroes might even sacrifice their very own lives so that bright future will come forth. And just today November 22 in the Philippines, a Filipino showed the whole world how to be one, a hero that is filled with compassion, and innovation so that others will be benefited. This 28-year old man with enormous love and care for others just know how to spell big difference with his innovative ways which is considered ample enough especially to those who felt his warmth. This Filipino who touches the lives of many children and even adults, is Efren Peñaflorida Jr., a Cavite City native who made the mobile education which is also called in Filipino language as “Kariton Klassrooms" or "Pushcart Classroom," helped many children from the urban areas to learn how to read, write, exercise proper hygiene and even solve Math problems, was proclaimed the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year.
Peñaflorida said: "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." Peñaflorida who is also called "Kuya F," or Brother F, whose valiant effort is worth $100,000 as a cash incentive from CNN. Anderson Cooper of CNN announced the winner at the culmination of the awarding ceremony that was held at Hollywood's Kodak Theater.
Peñaflorida said in his acceptance speech, "Serve, 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."
The Filipino bested nine other hopefuls including seven from the United States of America.CNN provided an online voting for its Top 10 Heroes, last October.
For the very humble Peñaflorida making it to the top 10 was a great honor already, as he remarked, "If the people vote for me, they are actually voting for the poor kids DTC is teaching and the dedicated volunteers behind this work." Peñaflorida also said earlier before the announcement that if ever he will win in the prestigious search for an outstanding hero he would use the winnings to further his endeavor in helping other people by reinforcing his Dynamic Teen Company (DTC) which he founded in 1997.
With over 2,000 members mentoring children (and even adults who cannot read and write) basic reading and writing in the poorest part areas in Cavite, Peñaflorida employed pushcarts loaded books, pens, tables and chairs.
Famous celebrities like Nicole Kidman, Kate Hudson, Neil Patrick Harris, Pierce Brosnan, Dwayne Johnson, Eva Mendes, Randy Jackson, Greg Kinnear, George Lopez and Julia Louis-Dreyfus graced the much-awaited awarding ceremony as presenters.
My sixteenth hub in the HubChallenge... (Third Batch)...
"Mabuhay ang Pinoy," --- Long live the Filipinos...
Thank you very much for reading this hub...
It really feels good to have a great news like this...
I did this hub at about 3:00 am here in the Philippines... perhaps elated with the honors reaped by our compatriot although very tired already...
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