CNN Hero Of The Year Award

The previous days I heard that the candidate from my country the Philippines, who was dubbed as the "Pushcart Educator", was chosen as the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year. And as a Filipino I was so proud that he won the coveted price.

His work of educating underprivileged children to read and write and learn core values through a "pushcart classroom" had inspired many people around the world. His simple approach in mentoring and educating poor children was an alternative to gang membership and thus impacted a lot in decreasing illiteracy and violence in the society.

Heroes are hard to see these days. They are special people who spread love by denying theirselves and give without selfish interest to others. How ideal if all of us will be like this, but this is not the reality in our society right now. Yet I am crossing my fingers that it will happen someday and you can call me delusional but I hope it will happen in the future.

Efren Penaflorida, was an inspiration to us all. He dedicated his whole life unselfishly promoting primary education to poor children in my native Philippines, especially in the slums of Cavite City, teaching them how to read and write and also good values in accordance with the teachings in the Holy Bible.

Along the way, he had encountered a lot of discouragement and lashings about his work but it never made him falter. The fire in his heart always kept him burning to serve the small and needy children. He always stood tall against the tides. He is an inspiration to us all.

He was flown to Hollywood to received his coveted award held at the Kodak Theater this past Saturday night. The award show was star-studded and each ten nominees where presented by a celebrity mentor-presentor who also had a cause in helping people around the world. And Efren was been introduced by Ms. Eva Mendes along with his documentary cause to the viewing audience who filled the 3,000 sitting capacity of the Kodak Theater.

As I was watching him received his award through a re-run in YouTube my heart leaped out from me and was so touched by his acceptance speech.

As Mr. Anderson Cooper of the CNN News announced him as the CNN Hero of the Year 2009, I was even more touched and became more proud because my fellow countryman had impacted the world with his simple act of kindness in easing up and fighting poverty and illiteracy in my native country.

His acceptance speech really had an impact in me, too. And I want to include it here so that it will impact and effect on you, too. Here is the jist of Efren Penaflorida's acceptance speech during the awarding night of the CNN Hero of the Year Award at Kodak Theater, Hollywood, CA.

"Our planet is filled with heroes, young and old, rich and poor, man or 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." Penaflorida said upon accepting the honor.

"So to each and every person inside 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, as I am the change that I dream, and collectivey we are the change that this world needs to be." As he ended his speech.

The top 10 CNN Heroes, chosen by a blue-ribbon panel from an initial pool of more than 9,00 viewer nominations were each honored with a documentary tribute and introduced by a celebrity presenter.

Each top 10 Heroes receives $25,000 and Penaflorida as the CNN Top Hero of the Year Awardee also received an additional $100,000 to continue his work with the Dynamic Teen Company, who was selected after seven weeks of online voting at CNN.com wherein more than 2.75 million votes were cast.

This record number of nominations is further evidence of the momentum CNN Heroes has built in just a few short years. And viewers have been engaged by these stories of inspiration and accomplishments beyond our expectations. It is truly an honor to be able to have known and introduced the CNN Heroes to the global audiences every year.

I hope Efren Penaflorida's example will impact our corrupt politicians and will realize that it's not yet late to change and effect our fellow-countrymen to help fighting illiteracy through education which is the root of poverty in our country.

I hope Efren Penaflorida's efforts will set as a basis to educate more underprivileged children and that the government will work hand in hand in eradicating this menacing problems in our degrading society.

Mabuhay ka Kuya Efren Penaflorida! I hope there are more people like you who always geared their work and unselfish ambitions towards the betterment of the children for I always believed that the children are our country's future.

Hopefully, this will be a wake up call to our fellow countrymen and that your inspiring efforts will not be in vain. My prayers to you and to your Dynamic Teen Company who always survived and hurdled the odds and the lashing out of your detractors.

Good luck and mabuhay po kayo! Sana patuloy kayong maglingkod para sa kapakanan ng mga kabataan ng ating bayan. Salamat po sa inyong lahat!