A Milestone: Filipino Wins The Top Spot in CNN’s Heroes!

Yet another milestone in Philippine History has happened. After the Pacman becomes the only fighter to win 7 world titles, another Filipino shines in the world arena as he grabbed CNN’s top spot as its hero of the year. Efren Penaflorida bested other CNN candidates and moved on to bring home the bacon and $100,000 cash prize as well which will be used to further his project. For 12 years now, Efren has been teaching poor kids in Cavite every Saturday using only a pushcart “kariton” loaded with books and other school supplies. He teaches anywhere there is a small space and kids to teach too. He has already formed his own company, The Dynamic Teen Company”, which has volunteers who gladly teach and offer their help to all poor kids in Cavite. Aside from teaching, they also have a hygienic clinic where they give kids a bath too and teach them how to brush their teeth.

Efren started doing this when he was just 16 years old after seeing how bad the situation was for poor kids in Cavite. Coming from a poor family too, at an early age he got to know fear of the gangs who would recruit young kids to be part of their violent group. With the thought that he wanted to give other kids a better life and chance for a brighter future, he and his friends started doing their project. They loaded a pushcart with books, notebooks and other stuff and then proceeded to give lessons on arithmetic, reading, writing and English.

He hopes to further expand his project to cater to more and more poor kids who need help so that they will not be drawn to gangs and violence. “I always tell my volunteers that you are the change that you dream and I am the change that I dream. And collectively we are the change that this world needs to be.”

Mabuhay Ka Efren! Congratulations!

Grabbed Photo From: Barriosiete.com