CNN has just announced that Efren Penaflorida is CNN Hero of the Year (2009), besting 9 other finalists worldwide. From an original 9,000 nominations, CNN whittled the finalists down to 10 and today, the overall winner was chosen via online voting.
Here’s CNN’s video showing Efren accepting the award:
When Efren became one of the 10 finalists, he and the others received $25,000 each but with this feather in the cap, he gets an additional $100,000. The entire Philippines is so proud of you, Efren! Isa kang tunay na bayaning Pinoy!
I feel happy to have been part of those who actively voted for Efren as I totally believe in his Kariton Klasrum (Pushcart Classroom) and his goal to give street children an alternative to gang membership.
I blogged about Efren being a finalist and how to make him a hero. Then during the voting period, bloggers actively promoted the voting via their blogs and Twitter, Plurk and Facebook accounts; TV stations plugged the website where people could vote; emails began circulating to get more people to join in the voting. The mission — to get Efren declared as CNN Hero — became a Pinoy-led campaign.
All in all, 2.75 million votes were cast for Efren. Did they say how many of those went to him alone? I don’t know. Personally, I can’t count anymore the number of times I voted for him. In the beginning, I did it from the CNN site, one vote at a time, but towards the end of the voting period, I was alerted to a site where one could “power vote” (which enabled 10 tabs to open at the same time), thus speeding up one’s ability to vote. Thanks to being a touch-typist, I was able to power vote a lot of times. My very own contribution to Efren’s cause!
Here are a couple of links if you want to know more about Efren and his cause:
CNN’s backgrounder on Efren Penaflorida
Dynamic Teen Company (a group of young people following in the footsteps of Efren)
While it is true though that many Filipinos worldwide showed once again the bayanihan spirit in voting for Efren, it does not take away the fact that all these started because one person decided to make a difference. What seemed like an insurmountable obstacle gave way to a dream and perseverance.
Efren Penaflorida did not just talk about his goals for a better Philippines. He went right out and did it by pushing the kariton klasrum to where kids needed it. If only we could find more of his kind, sincere and dedicated to the betterment of the Filipino youth, the Philippines is sure to be on the road to progress. Efren Penaflorida literally WALKS HIS TALK.
How many of us can say the same?
Congratulations, Efren! You are not just CNN’s Hero. You are a hero to each and every Filipino wherever he is in the world.
hi, i just read ur article on Efren, I am one of the proud pinoys, didnt hear about him until his win, though. but it’s ok, he won without my votes still. I just read ur desc – mom & work at home. Wow. I am a single mum in sydney aust with an autistic 16yr old and a 13yr old daughter. Life not too easy, sometimes almost unbearable but the internet and facebook provides me with some social life…. i rarely go out and do a lot of facebook, youtube and reading of blogs i get to discover when i google a certain topic. Thanks for your post, my workmate was asking if he had prize money, and i found the answer on ur blog. thanks!
Mae
@Mae – Hi and am so glad you dropped by my blog. I hope you come visit again. It’s good that you stay in touch via the social networking sites. It keeps us busy moms sane. God bless you over there in Sydney. 🙂
hi! i am hoping that you know about efren’s contact number coz i wanted to invite him in our program. thank you.
@Nhezz – I forwarded your message. Hope someone will be able to forward it to Efren.
Hi. Im Liz, Im looking for Mr. Efren’s contact number and I happen to see you blog. I would like to invite him as keynote speaker in our company’s 40th anniversary. I hope you can help me with this.
Thank you!
@Liz – I sent your request. Hopefully you can get a response from Efren.
hi, anyone pls help me contact Efren Penaflorida, i will be needing an interview with him for a possible candidate for Extreme Makeover Home Edition… Lawrence Lagdameo (researcher) hoping for favorable response
It’s a joy to find smoonee who can think like that
Our family would like to give little donation in form of books and would like to know what type of books is preferred and would be useful for the Kariton Klasrum.
I could easily be reached via my celfone 0918 991 9053 or 0917 872 5545
God Bless!
violie
Hi I have some school stuffs I want to donate like crayons etc…would efren need it for his work? I can be contacted at 09178609010.
Hi Candy. That is so nice of you. I will try to contact Efren. In case he won’t need it are you willing to donate it to another organization that will need them? I can help you look.
Be a blessing to others. God bless