Efren Penaflorida is CNN Hero of the Year

"Pushcart Classroom" educator Efren Penaflorida is declared CNN Hero of the Year 2009 as he championed the children with commitment to the welfare of the young Filipino people.

Amidst difficulties, he brought education to the marginalized sectors of his country utilizing a pushcart where his teaching materials like the blackboard is situated.

">Ang pagbabago kasi, magmumula yan sa atin." says Penaflorida in an interview.Hailing from the Philippine province of Cavite, Efen Penaflorida is a Cum Laude student from the Cavite State University. Now 28 years old, he and his team called Dynamic Team Company then started to reach out to the children and teach through their Pushcart Classroom program. Efren will receive $100,000 to continue their work and goodwill.

"With the recognition they receive on our stage,... they'll be able to help thousands and thousands of people. Through their efforts, lives will be changed and lives will be saved." mentions CNN's Anderson Cooper

Held from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood yesterday night (ET, US Time), the CNN Heroes of the Year honored the Top 10 CNN Heroes of 2009 including Brad Blauser, Jorge Munoz, Roy Foster, Doc Hendley, Budi Soehardi, Andrea Ivory, Derrick Tabb, Betty Makoni, and Jordan Thomas.

Efren Penaflorida CNN Heros of 2009 YouTube.com video:


In his acceptance speech, CNN Hero of the Year Efren Penaflorida says:

"You are the change that you dream, as I am the change that I dream,...we are the change that this world needs to be."