Efren Peñafloridaefren_penaflorida1
Pushcart educator Efren Peñaflorida bags the award for the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year after the seven weeks of online voting at CNN.com. He is the Filipino bringing education to poor Filipino children through his “pushcart classroom”. He will receive $100,000 as his winning prize and he said that he’ll be using 90% of it to continue his work with the Dynamic Teen Company and the remaining 10% to the church.

The announcement was revealed by CNN’s Anderson Cooper with the theme “CNN Heroes: An All Star tribute” at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on Saturday night. The event includes performances by Grammy Award winning artist Carrie Underwood, R&B crooner Maxwell and British pop sensation Leona Lewis.

The top 10 heroes will receive $25,000 after chosen by the blue ribbon panel from more than 9,000 nominees. The blue ribbon panel includes humanitarians and public servants namely : Wallis Annenberg, Tory Burch, Kirk Cameron, Malaak Compton-Rock, Whoopi Goldberg, Phil Jackson, Sir Elton John, Masi Oka, Mariane Pearl, Retired Gen. Colin Powell, Rossana Rosado, Shakira, Tavis Smiley, Ted Turner.

“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.” Efren Peñaflorida said upon accepting the honor.

Here are the 2009 Top 9 CNN Heroes:
Brad Blauser
He has vowed to try to make life a little easier for these families by organizing the distribution of wheelchairs, donated and paid for by his charity, Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids.

Roy Foster
Started Stand Down House program provides homeless male vets food, shelter and a safe place to recover, as well as the tools to conquer their personal problems.

Doc Hendley
A Bartender who has traveled to Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda and Cambodia, working with local communities to build clean water wells and sanitation systems. His program Wine to Water has brought sustainable water systems to 25,000 people in five countries.

Andrea Ivory
Breast cancer survivor Andrea Ivory is bringing early detection to the doorsteps of uninsured women. With mobile mammography vans, her group has provided more than 500 free screenings in Miami, Florida.

Betty Makoni
Zimbabwe native who founded the Girl Child Network that creates safe spaces for girls to grow and connect with each other. Betty uses advocacy campaigns, media projects, and works with community leaders to raise awareness and change attitudes at community and national levels.

Jorge Munoz
Founded the nonprofit, An Angel in Queens which provide much needed meals through his mobile food to homeless in Queens.

Budi Soehardi
A former pilot living in Singapore, and his wife, Peggy, run an orphanage looking after 47 children. They give a home and more importantly a family to abandoned children and those orphaned by the East Timor conflicts.

Derrick Tabb
Snare drummer for the Rebirth Brass Band and founder of the after-school Roots of Music band program for New Orleans middle-schoolers. His music education program provides free tutoring, instruments and music instruction to more than 100 students.

Jordan Thomas
From Chattanooga, Tennessee who started a foundation after he lost both feet in a boating accident and turned it into a great foundation to help other children receive the prosthetics that they need and can’t afford.

Efren Peñaflorida’s extraordinary deed truly makes him a hero in his own craft that makes Filipinos proud. He and all of the nominees who helped and continue to help are great heroes of this generation.


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8 Comments

By Kopiko on November 22, 2009

Another pride of the Philippines. I salute you Efren Peñaflorida for giving a great example to the world what Filipinos are capable of. Keep on doing the good work and I hope that many will follow your footsteps.

By michael catedral on November 25, 2009

trully youdeserve to be called hero……You brought pride nad honor to the Filipino people… may The Lord God continue to guide and bless all of our heroes… let us work hand in hand for a better future….

By joemyr oriendo on November 25, 2009

despite of challenges and hardships…Filipinoes still capable to stand up and extend their hands to those who are in need… we are proud of you… God Bless to all heroes… let the change begin…..

By Nancy Pham on November 28, 2009

Thank you CNN for making this happen. Despite the Fox people, the TEA followers, the Sarah Palin admirers, we still have plenty of human beings that still care, love, share and try to make this world a better place. Great job! CNN. Many thanks!!

By Mary Butler on November 29, 2009

Efren,
Thank you for being the example and inspiration we all need. You saw what was needed and figured out how to meet the need. Your generosity of time, talent and money is being rewarded by CNN’s acknowledgement and the admiration of the watching world. You are a great inspiration and very humble. Keep up this very important work and God Bless you!

By ray banias on November 29, 2009

Your work is so inspiring to many.Again it proves that Filipinos are a different breed.We are resilient and hard working, inventive,practical. We get things done in so many ways.Yours is an example,that despite our handicaps,lack of resources and support, we persevere and get things done.And doing it in a special, or many weird way.

By lou penn on November 30, 2009

After reading about what you’ve done & still doing; after watching the video then finally casted a vote, I prayed that you will make it – & you did, Efren- congratulations! You are truly a good example. Thank YOU Lord! Hope more youngsters can learn from you. Not only the Filipinos but all children around the globe, for having an education can truly be of help for a better & a brighter future. You are truly blessed. Keep it up & GOD bless you more to continue that extraordinary work!

By admin on November 30, 2009

I hope that the next President of the Philippines will have the qualities and traits that you possess. You are simply one of a kind. A true person who really cares.