Barrio Siete had the privilege of interviewing Efren Peñaflorida. Here’s Mahalia’s interview: An Extraordinary Life: Exclusive Interview with Efren Peñaflorida
Efren Peñaflorida was named the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year at gala show attended by Hollywood stars like actress Nicole Kidman and featured performances by Grammy Award-winning artist Carrie Underwood, R&B crooner Maxwell and British pop sensation Leona Lewis. 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 Tribute airs at 9 p.m. ET/PT November 26 (0200 GMT November 27).
Photo Credits: CNN
In his acceptance speech, quoted by CNN, Peñaflorida said:
“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. 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.”
“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.“
Peñaflorida will receive $100,000. This will be used to fund his work in the Dynamic Teen Company (DTC), a volunteer organization that he put up to conduct his “Kariton Klasrum” program.
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Tongrats! Hahhaha.
Ilabas ang serbesa at shoktong. LOL.
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Umiyak ako kanina. So proud of Efren. Mabuhay siya and ang Dynamic Teen Company.
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Medyo naiyak ako listening to him. My congratulations to Efren and to his Kariton Klasrum, truly one barrio spirit.
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WOW!!! nakakakilabot naman!!! WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU KABAYAN!!! Grabe ang blessings ng mga pinoy ngayon!!! Sarap maging PINOY!!!
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i voted for him!. woohoo.. galing talaga ni kuya F.. astig.
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Congratulation Efren! Pina-iyak mo kami! hahaha We are so proud of you! At iyan ang totoo we REALLY NEED CHANGE!
Mabuhay Ka at ang iyung Dynamic Teen Company! you all deserved it!
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wait. kelangan kong basahin ang interview nya sa Barrio before. ang daming libro na mabibili ng $100,000. Mabuhay ka Efren!
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In 2009,our EQ readers ignored the traditional political leaders, sport and entertainment celebrities and popular personalities. Not surprisingly, our readers chose two non-traditional winners this year: “YOU” the ordinary Pinoy and The Pinoy OFW Hero. The ordinary Pinoy was like a Phoenix rising from the ashes (and mud) in the face of great tragedy this year.
Mabuhay Ang Mga Pinoy!
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congrats!!!
GALING.. i voted for him. even told my friends to vote for him as well…
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Xempre cry din si-ako with matching singhot pa…Efren is very inspiring like the Mudra from Calcutta. Sana ga-run na rin xa sa 2010 election? Ite-text ko for sureness ang million votes.
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Galing! Galing! Galing! Nag-vote ako! Nag-vote ako!
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wah.. masyado namang nakakaproud yan.. yung speech nya parang nagrereflect sa sine na Pay it Forward ba yun… yung you will help a person then that person will help the others bilang kabayarang sa help mo sa kanya tapos so on ….
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Efren Penaflorida is Definitely Pinoy.
Mabuhay!
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wow. am soooo beaming with pride. congrats kuya f! you deserve all these and more!
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mabuhay ang pinoy!
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Proud to be Pinoy!
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kuya efren for president? why not? isa s sya s mga ngbbgay s atin ng inspirasyon tsaka sya ang nglalarawan ng mga bagong henerasyon ng mga filipino…wala ng mga kurakot kc sawa n kmi s gnyng klase..kaya keep it up kuya efren…
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I am so proud of Efren Penaflorida.Mabuhay ka and keep the torch flaming
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Efren’s message – be the change you want to see, e paano yan pinoys don’t want to be personally responsible for anything, puro alibi.
case in point, Ondoy. – wanton disregard of environmental laws and urban planning – ang lagay e gobyerno lang ba may mali – hello.
the bigger implications to efren’s acts is that people have not been electing leaders who give the focus to education – and it takes people to make that happen.
mamamatay ng lang si efren from old age, pinoys will still keep voting for vacuous leaders (forget education platform. forget environment platform. puro alibis).
the best applause people can give efren is to start being personally responsible for their choices – wag yung, basta sikat, bahala na kulelat, doon pa rin.
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