“You Are The Change That You Dream” - Efren Penaflorida Named CNN Hero of the Year

by Claire Ramos

On Thanksgiving (Nov. 26) at 9pm ET/PT, CNN will broadcast its 3rd annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute television special. The program highlights “everyday people changing the world”. Twenty-eight extraordinary people from many different countries were showcased for 2009. As the year progressed, viewers were able to vote and nominate heroes for recognition. One of the Top Ten Heroes up for this accolade was Efren Peñaflorida of the Philippines. With much rejoice, Efren Penaflorida has been named CNN Hero of the Year, giving inspiration to Pilipinos throughout the world.

His story continues to amaze those who hear it. On CNN’s webpage, he’s categorized under “Championing Children”, alongside others exemplifying a “Commitment to the welfare of young people.” Efren’s goal is, and for the past 12 years has been, to provide an education to impoverished children in the PI as an alternative to gang activity. The outlook he and his team share puts education as the key to success. By giving these deserving children the opportunity to learn, it lessens their chances of getting roped into gangs.

The sad truth is that gang activity is rampant in the Philippines and a lot of young people find themselves targeted and pressed to join. Many succumb to the lifestyle of violence and crime, because they feel they have no choice. Through his own experiences, Efren saw a need and decided to take a stand. At 16, he and his friends “got the idea to divert teenagers (like us) to be productive.” They created the Dynamic Teen Company in 1997, providing an outlet through which to uplift themselves, their peers, and their community. The DTC soon joined forces with Club 8586, Inc., which was a non-profit, non-sectarian and non-denominational organization that helped the less fortunate in Cavite City.

After meeting his mentor through Club 8586, Efren’s initial perspective changed and his eyes were opened to the fact that “kids who aren’t properly guided, grow up to be criminals rotting in jail cells or ending up at the cemetery”. At first the objective was simply to raise awareness, but by 1999 the group was already offering outreach classes in the slums. Efren and his team conducted the classes for four years until Club 8586 burned down. It was then that the idea, for which Efren’s cause is known, came to fruition. When the group discovered unused push carts from Club 8586, they made a plan to utilize them. One volunteer, Michael Advincula, former Akyat Bahay and Spaghetti gang member who was taken in by DTC, took charge of conceptualizing the blueprint of the carts. They were redesigned to accommodate a built in blackboard, tables and chairs, and to carry a large supply of books, paper, and writing utensils.

As noted by CNN, Efren’s remarkable contributions lie within what have come to be known as, “pushcart classrooms”. Armed with these carts, Efren and the DTC could replicate a school setting anywhere, which they do every Saturday, even in such unlikely places as cemeteries or municipal trash dumps. This year alone, they have a total of 350 enrollees in four sites, with children ranging from ages 2 to 14. The kids learn the basics of counting, reading and writing. The team also runs a hygiene clinic, through which children can bathe and learn how to brush their teeth.

Efren hopes to expand the “pushcart classrooms” to other areas, including Manila, to give more children the chance to learn and stay out of gangs. Since 1997, some 10,000 members have helped educate over an estimated 1,500 children living in slums. The group has supported its efforts by making and selling crafts and collecting items for recycling. Currently, and with much appreciation, now that this cause has gained recognition, funding can be provided from bigger sources. In fact, by being voted in to the Top Ten Heroes, Efren received $25,000 to continue his work with the Dynamic Teen Company.

Efren Penaflorida is honored as CNN Hero of the Year

And as if this all wasn’t amazing enough, at the conclusion of the actual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute, Efren Peñaflorida was announced as THE chosen 2009 Hero of the Year. With the award, he is receiving an additional $100,000 toward his efforts. He was named the winner at the end of the event, which was taped just this past Saturday (Nov. 21st ) before an audience of 3,000 at the Kodak Theater. It will air globally on Thursday the 26th. Upon accepting the honor, Efren gave this speech,

“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 ones 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."

Be sure to tune in and witness this milestone we’re reaching in our Pilipino community.

For many of us, the sheer significance of one of our own being recognized and considered for this honor is something to be proud of. Now with this title, Efren’s story and what it’s become, brings a whole new magnitude to the sentiments towards us as a people, not only from ourselves, but other nations as well. It’s been such a blessing to have so many incredible representatives of the Philippines integrated into mainstream media. It is my hope that this is just the beginning; let us continue to show the world our strength, our pride, and our heart.