Efren Penaflorida makes a difference

Another Filipino makes us proud.

Efren Penaflorida made it to the top ten for CNN’s “Hero of the Year” Award. The winner gets US$100,000 top prize money! Efren was among the thousands of nominees. Yup, thousands from across the globe.

Efren’s growing recognition and respect has been brought about by the mobile school program. Here, our 28-year old Filipino and his “Dynamic Teen” goes to the rural areas to help improve the lives of kids through education. For nearly 12 years, he and his team has made their presence felt in the lives of nearly 1,500 young kids who have learned how to read and write, and appreciate numbers.

According to an interview published in the online-edition of the Asian Journal, Efren says, "We should all start the change from within. All of us, we should open our minds and hearts to accommodate to the needs of the less fortunate and release the hero within.” While Efren considers it a great honor to be regarded as a modern-day hero, he believes that no one is too ordinary to be heroes. “We are all capable of contributing to our community and to our country."

Efren has already been featured in the “Ako Mismo” advocacy campaign together with respected Filipinos like Ely Buendia and Charice Pempengco.

He needs our help. Let us vote for him, by simply following this CNN link.

The CNN Hero of the Year will be announced and awarded soon in a program at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles. Last day of voting is on November 19, 2009!

He has been on the streets helping many young, impoverished kids learn. Now, it’s our turn to help him so he could help more kids. Can you imagine how much books and learning materials US$100,000 can bring to Filipino kids?

We all can make a difference in the lives of others and we can help make that difference by voting for Efren Penaflorida and his mobile school program. And these kids whose lives he touched would hopefully, pay it forward and become good parents one day!

Pacquiao Quick Facts

Am sure many families stayed at home last Sunday to watch Pacquiao defeat dela Joya. And with his win, even a few more parents named their babies Manny or even Pacquiao. And his success gives more meaning to Filipino pride.

Here are some quick facts about his recent win, specially, his presence on HBO.

1. According to HBO, the fight at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas generated about 1.25 million pay-per-view buys.

2. It is only the fourth time a non-heavyweight bout in the US reached at least one million. Interesting to note that Oscar De La Hoya has been in the ring in all the four fights.

3. Pacquiao will get an estimated gross amount worth $11.2 million or P548.8 million from the above earnings. Can you imagine how many poor families that amount can feed for one year?

4. Pacquiao’s previous pay-per-view high was 405,000 buys registered last April in his rematch against Juan Manuel Marquez.

5. It is his birthday on December 17! He is turning 30.

6. Guess who gave him a carrot cake decorated with a red boxing glove and a green boxing belt with the inscription "World’s No. 1 Pound-for-Pound Fighter."

7. He has the World Boxing Council (WBC) Flyweight, International Boxing Federation Super Bantamweight, WBC Super Featherweight, and WBC Lightweight world titles. And the first Asian to do it!

8. He lost to incumbent Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio, when he ran as congressman in South Cotabato’s first district in 2007. I hope he doesn’t make his presence in politics. He only be used by “trapos.”

9. His first name is Emmanuel.

10. He rode a 22-foot float for a motorcade-parade in General Santos City