Efren Peñaflorida and His "Kariton Klasrum"

 “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.” These words are from the CNN Hero of the Year 2009 Mr. Efren Peñaflorida of Cavite City. He came from a less fortunate family but had made a name in volunteering his own life for making a life difference in hundreds of youths in the Philippines.

 

The following are 10 interesting things about Efren Peñaflorida:

 

1. He received 10 awards before his CNN Hero of the Year Award in 2009.

(realitytv.nfo.ph)

 

2. He is the 1^st Filipino to be nominated and who actually won the CNN Heroes Awards (2009). (wikipedia.org)

 

3. He got more than 2.75 million votes after seven weeks of online voting at CNN.com. (cnn.com)

 

4. Efren Peñaflorida, also called as Kuya Ef, is a teacher and social worker in the Philippines.(realitytv.nfo.ph)

5. In 2000, he graduated from San Sebastian College–Recoletos de Cavite with a degree in computer technology, receiving highest honors. He pursued a second course at Cavite State University, Cavite City campus, graduating cum laude in 2006 with a degree in Secondary Education.(wikipedia.com )

 

6. His elementary and high school education was funded by World Vision Philippines.(gmanetwork.com)

 

7. His college education was shouldered by Club 8586.(gmanetwork.com)

 

8. Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo conferred on Efren Peñaflorida the ‘Order of Lakandula’ in a ceremony at Malacañan Palace upon his return to the Philippines. (Wikipedia.org)

 

9. When he went to school, he experienced being mocked, bullied, and discriminated that he wanted to settle scores with the bullies. But he realized he could “turn a bad experience into something positive.” (gmanetwork.com)

 

10. Angel Locsin told ‘The Buzz’ about CNN Hero Efren Peñaflorida’s formal declaration of his intention to court her. (boyabunda.net)

 

After reading some articles about Efren Peñaflorida, I started to personally conclude that he is the Jose Rizal of our generation, as he also believes that “ang kabataan ang pag- asa ng bayan”. I am convinced that he is a true hero for the Filipino Youth as he chose to teach children with his heart rather than chasing a career that can give his family a better living. I hope to see more Filipinos doing the same thing for the country by rendering service without looking for unavailable things but by using the available materials that can help.

 

 

 

What trait of EfrenPeñaflorida is admirable? Why?

 

Tags: Araling Panlipunan (A.P.), TLE (T.L.E.), History, Philippine Studies, Ethics, Sociology, Social Science

 

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