Filipino Efren Penaflorida is CNN '2009 Hero of the Year'

Penaflorida 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.

Penaflorida would be the first Filipino to become a nominee of the annual CNN Heroes awards and the first to Filipino to win the top prize.

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

In his acceptance speech, quoted by CNN, Penaflorida 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.”

Penaflorida will receive $100,000. This will be used to fund his work in the Dynamic Teen Company, a volunteer organisation that he put up to conduct his 'Kariton Klasrum' programme.

Penaflorida'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.

In a previous interview, Penaflorida said he will continue holding weekly lessons and hopes that it will encourage other people to lend time to help others in need.

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