Efren Peñaflorida, who started a "pushcart classroom" in the Philippines to bring education to poor children as an alternative to gang membership, has been named the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year.
CNN's Anderson Cooper revealed Peñaflorida's selection at the conclusion of the third-annual "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on Saturday night (21 November 2009).
According to the CNN website, Peñaflorida was selected after getting the highest number of online votes, which reached 2.75 million in seven weeks.
The 28-year-old teacher from Cavite City bested nine other contenders from different countries.
Peñaflorida received the award from actress Eva Mendes at the conclusion of "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" held at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood on Saturday night in the US.
He received US$ 100,000 cash to continue his work with his group, Dynamic Teen Company, according to CNN.
The cash prize is on top of the US$ 25,000 bonus that Peñaflorida received after he was included in the top 10 CNN Heroes.
"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," Peñaflorida said upon accepting the honor. "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."
For a complete report of CNN's feature on Eferen, click this link.
CNN's Anderson Cooper revealed Peñaflorida's selection at the conclusion of the third-annual "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on Saturday night (21 November 2009).
According to the CNN website, Peñaflorida was selected after getting the highest number of online votes, which reached 2.75 million in seven weeks.
The 28-year-old teacher from Cavite City bested nine other contenders from different countries.
Peñaflorida received the award from actress Eva Mendes at the conclusion of "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" held at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood on Saturday night in the US.
He received US$ 100,000 cash to continue his work with his group, Dynamic Teen Company, according to CNN.
The cash prize is on top of the US$ 25,000 bonus that Peñaflorida received after he was included in the top 10 CNN Heroes.
"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," Peñaflorida said upon accepting the honor. "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."
For a complete report of CNN's feature on Eferen, click this link.