CNN chooses young Filipino Catholic as 'Hero of the Year'

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Comments: 9

Efren Penaflorida

Atlanta, Ga., Nov 26, 2009 / 12:02 am (CNA).- CNN has chosen a young Filipino Catholic as the winner of the their annual prize, “Hero of the Year.” Efren Penaflorida, 28, is the head of an organization which seeks to prevent impoverished children from involvement with crime through education.

The son of a motorcycle-taxi driver and a homemaker, Efren grew up near a landfill in the city of Cavite southwest of Manila. He decided at a young age that he would not join the local gangs, as did most of his friends, and would overcome poverty by getting an education.

At the age of 16, he promised to help other children make the same choice, and subsequently created a program which offered tutoring and books to kids who live on the street and in poor neighborhoods.

His organization, Dynamic Teen Co., is made up of volunteers and has improved the reading and writing skills as well as the health of some 1,500 children. Efren has become one of the models of the Asian Youth Day organized by the Catholic Church in the Philippines.

According to Bishop Joel Baylon of the Bishops’ Committee on Youth, Efren is an inspiring model for young people who demonstrates that they too can make a difference in their daily lives.

Comments: 9

Subscriber comments:

Published by: gil
pacifica, ca. usa 11/30/2009 08:45 PM EST

Efren is a young man being led by the Holy Spirit. I believe that anybody can do good without loving but you can't love without doing good! Thanks be to God!

Published by: ed mascardo
California 11/28/2009 01:10 AM EST

Efren we the Filipinos here in California & througout the U.S. were so proud of you. What you did inspired lots of people throughout the world. You taught us how to achieve extra- ordinary result by doing simple things out of commitment & love. Mabuhay ka Efren!

Published by: Devadhas Muthiah SJ
India 11/27/2009 12:00 PM EST

Congratulations Efren and CNN. Youth like Efren are real models of life-giving person to show the way of life. keep it up, Efren. May many more youth emulate your example.

Published by: Francis
Dipolog/Philippines 11/27/2009 02:08 AM EST

I dont think Efren is a Catholic, he was funded by a non-catholic ministry. I don't think he is Catholic...

Published by: Chantal Marczinski
Canada 11/26/2009 10:46 PM EST

Wow!!! This is pretty gutsy for CNN of all networks to choose a young Catholic, much less a Filipino one. I've known many a Filipino Catholic and they are all phenomenal in their own way.

Published by: C. JAVIER
LOS ANGELES,CA 11/26/2009 02:08 PM EST

PRAISE & THANKS BE TO GOD FOR WE HAVE A "KABABAYAN" LIKE EFREN PENAFLORIDA WHO BECAME INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED BECAUSE OF HIS GOOD WORKS. MABUHAY KA EFREN!

Published by: Margaret Keller
Baltimore MD USA 11/26/2009 11:30 AM EST

Good for this young man.

Published by: frjimt
pocono pines,pa 11/26/2009 10:52 AM EST

Congrats to Efren and to his family and friends. True discipleship........ and congrats to cnn for having the courage to choose a young catholic!

Published by: Stephen R. Luciani
Scranton, PA USA 11/26/2009 08:52 AM EST

All, This young man is truely an inspiration for everyone.

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