The Department of Tourism is urging Filipinos to vote for Efren Peñaflorida as “CNN Hero of the Year” through the Internet. Peñaflorida recently made the elite list of top 10 finalists for this year’s CNN Hero of the Year for his Kariton Klasrum (Pushcart Classroom) initiative, which has been bringing education to poor children in the streets for 12 years.
“The time to celebrate Philippine heroism has been long overdue. This is our chance to share to the world the Filipino sense of selflessness, and to honor the little acts of kindness that we, his kababayans [compatriots], can very well take inspiration from,” Tourism Secretary Ace Durano said Tuesday.
“People like Efren remind us that our country is blessed not only with natural resources, but with true wonders such as individuals who dedicate their lives to heroic work,” Durano added.
Tourism officials said that Peñaflorida qualified to best some 9,000 nominees across the world, because he has brought the hope of education to children who would otherwise be loitering on the streets and joining urban gangs.
Eduardo Jarque Jr., Tourism undersecretary for planning and promotions, said, “Just as how Efren is bringing hope to the children of slum areas, let us also bring inspiration to people within and beyond our geographical borders by supporting one of our real-life heroes.”
How to vote
Filipinos from all over the world can vote for Peñaflorida by joining the online poll until November 18, 2009, through the web link http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cnn.heroes. His story can be accessed by online readers at http://edition.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/03/05/heroes.efren.penaflorida/index.html.
The CNN Hero of the Year is a search for “people driven to exceptional achievement in service to others.” This year’s search has six categories: Championing Children, Community Crusader, Defending the Planet, Medical Marvel, Protecting the Powerless and Young Marvel.
Peñaflorida is a nominee under the Championing Children category.
By Rommel C. Lontayao, Reporter
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