Vote Filipino Online for CNN Hero of 2009

Another call for all of the Filipino around the globe to vote for Efren Peñaflorida in the Top 10 CNN Heroes of 2009. Efren Peñaflorida, 28, also was bullied by gangs in high school. Today, he offers Filipino youth an alternative to gang membership through education.

Peñaflorida is one of four nominees in the “Championing Children” category of the heroes search.

Peñaflorida knows firsthand the adversity faced by these children. Born into a poor family, he lived in a shanty near the city dump site. But he says he refused to allow his circumstances to define his future. Peñaflorida was nominated for his Kariton Klasrum (Pushcart Classroom).

The project, now on its 12th year, brings education to where the street children are and giving them a chance to learn to read and write, keeping them away from gangs.

The project, which is maintained by volunteers from Dynamic Teen Company, has taught over 1,000 street children as well as child laborers from the slums.

This year’s search has six categories, namely, Championing Children, Community Crusader, Defending the Planet, Medical Marvel, Protecting the Powerless, and Young Marvel.

A blue ribbon panel selected the individuals for the Top 10 CNN Heroes of 2009. The hero who will get the most online votes will be named “CNN Hero of the Year”, and will be recognized during the “CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute,” to be aired next month.

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Grab this CNN Heroes widget for your social networking page and encourage friends to vote for your favorite as the CNN Hero of the Year.

source: heroes.cnn.com