EFREN PENAFLORIDA - PUSHCART EDUCATOR NAMED CNN HERO OF THE YEAR 2009 *CONGRATULATIONS EFREN!!!*

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/11/16/cnnheroes.tribute.show/index.html

Pushcart educator named CNN Hero of the Year

(CNN) -- 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.

The gala event, taped before an audience of 3,000 at the Kodak Theatre, premieres on Thanksgiving, November 26, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on the global networks of CNN.

The broadcast, which honors the top 10 CNN Heroes of 2009, features performances by Grammy Award-winning artist Carrie Underwood, R&B crooner Maxwell and British pop sensation Leona Lewis.

Peñaflorida, who will receive $100,000 to continue his work with the Dynamic Teen Company, was selected after seven weeks of online voting at CNN.com. More than 2.75 million votes were cast.

"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.




Gallery: CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute

Video: CNN Hero of the Year named "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."

The top 10 CNN Heroes, chosen by a blue-ribbon panel from an initial pool of more than 9,000 viewer nominations, were each honored with a documentary tribute and introduced by a celebrity presenter. Each of the top 10 Heroes receives $25,000.

"With the recognition they receive on our stage," said Cooper, who hosted the tribute, "they'll be able to help thousands and thousands of people. Through their efforts, lives will be changed and lives will be saved."

Maxwell sang "Help Somebody" from his first album in eight years, 'BLACKsummers'night.'

Lewis, a three-time Grammy nominee, performed "Happy," from her second album, "Echo."

All three performances echoed the spirit of the CNN Heroes campaign, which salutes everyday people whose extraordinary accomplishments are making a difference in their communities and beyond.

Presenters included Nicole Kidman, Kate Hudson, Neil Patrick Harris, Pierce Brosnan, Dwayne Johnson, Eva Mendes, Randy Jackson, Greg Kinnear, George Lopez and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

"This record number of nominations is further evidence of the momentum CNN Heroes has built in just a few short years," said Jim Walton, president of CNN Worldwide.

Serve, serve well, serve others above yourself and be happy to serve.

--Efren Penaflorida, CNN Hero of the Year


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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4q0JKzpjh_o

Please watch these two parts videos and forward them to all your friends, relatives, associates and all living souls who will help us move to a better Philippines.

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Nonprofits & Activism

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[mikaeltampos]

Why is it that we Filipinos make individual achievement and recognition, but we haven't really made a notable achievement as a nation?

[erwindaveg1]

THIS IS THE BEST!!!!! RATHER THE BEAUTY CONTEST WE OBSESSED WITH.....

[12345678964973]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!JUST NOW i saw.....

[risottoporcini]

Congratulations .... mabuhay ka!! Sana marami ka pa matungan at mas gamitin ang perang napanalunan sa tamang paraan... Inspirasyon namin ang tulad mo... -italya..

[patkaybites]

@monica6497 We lack unity very much... -_- Just too bad for us :/ 

[patkaybites]

Proud of Efren for doing these type of stuff :D It's just awesome how there actually are people who give it their all when trying to help others. He is a true inspiration and we should all learn from what he's doing :) I salute you, Sir! You're making a difference for sure! :D

[monica6497]

@mikaeltampos i wonder why??? maybe its because we lack unity.

[wickedstability]

@sprawlmessiah weh?

[sprawlmessiah]

Who says there are no more Heroes?

[mounika6018]

i am not the right person to appreciate the CNN heros but i can appreciate the work done by CNN ... Kudos ...

[serenity0324]

@jeansforjustice exactly! I for one do not understand why there is an OBSESSION to be fair among our people. There is a reason why we have the skin color we have.

[jeansforjustice]

@Blavat666 Sorry I didn't see that interview on Lincecum. If he prefers not to be associatd with Filipinos, that's his right. Local & international news media dig up their background just to broadcast something to the world. A lot of part Filip celebs like Enrique Iglesias. I have his Cds but I didn't find out his mom's Filip until lately. Some top showbiz celebs are mixed. Masa love those with fair skin "kutis artista" sick.. All Belo's patients. Where's the true Filipina beauties now.