Efren Peñaflorida is 2009 CNN Hero of the Year

Yes! He did it! Efren Peñaflorida has won the CNN Hero of the Year 2009 award. Isn’t that great news? I was so happy when I read the twitter message for one of the media company I am following. Here is an excerpt of the report :

Manila – For bringing education to poor Filipino children through his “Kariton Klassroom,” Filipino Efren Peñaflorida has been awarded the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year at the conclusion of “CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute” at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on Saturday night.

According to CNN Web site, Peñaflorida has been selected after getting the highest number of online votes. More than 2.75 million votes were cast for 7 weeks.

He bested nine other contenders from different countries. Hollywood star Eva Mendes presented the award to him.

The Filipino received $100,000 to continue his work with his group, Dynamic Teen Company, according to CNN. The $100,000 cash prize is on top of the $25,000 he got after his name was included on the top 10 CNN Heroes.

In his acceptance speech delivered before 3,000 people, Peñaflorida encouraged the crowd to unleash the “hero in you.”

“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. “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.”

He also urged them to “serve well, serve others above yourself and be happy to serve.” Click here to read the full report.

This is indeed good news. I just hope that he would really build a school as he have said in one of his interview.

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