Can Efren save the world? Pinoys in America think so

FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo (The Philippine Star) Updated November 30, 2010 

A year after being hailed as CNN Hero of the Year for his mobile pushcart classrooms that provide thousands of street children an alternative to gangs and drugs througheducation in unconventional places like cemeteries and trash dumps,
Efren Peñaflorida Jr., a superstar in his own right, is back in the United States to raise money for the completion of a two-storey building in Cavite City that will give more unfortunate youngsters a chance for a better life.

About 70 percent of the building that resembles a pushcart has been finished, and his Dynamic Teen Company needs to raise about P3-M more to complete the construction.

Funfare learned about this happy news from Big Apple correspondent Edmund Silvestre (of The Filipino Reporter) who found “the dashing Kuya Ef” a lot better-looking in person and oozes with an angelic charisma.

“He has been getting red-carpet welcome in his appearances before various Filipino-American community groups coast to coast,” reported Edmund. “And everyone pays attention as if the 29-year-old educatorand youth leader is a messiah for hope and change.”

Last Nov. 12, he was honored by the Fil-Am community in the New York tri-state area at the Lovin’ Life Learning Center in Manhattan. It was sponsored by the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) Region I, in partnership with the Philippine Consulate General in New York.

”More than teaching basic reading and writing to kids in the slums and streets, transient street children among them, we also provide them food, clothing and school supplies; first aid treatment of scabies and wounds, and teach them value formation and proper hygiene,” Efren said, referring to the erection of Kalingain Batang Mahirap (Nurture the Poor Children) Learning Center that will include a computer lab, a library, a health clinic, a kitchen for feeding programs and a garage for pushcarts.

Edmund said that New York Consul General Cecilia Rebong was more than impressed by Efren’s “passion, commitment, tenacity and resourcefulness” in giving street children hope and chance to better their lives. 

”Simpleng-simple siya, he’s also shy, at bilib na bilib kaming lahat sa kanya,” Edmund quoted Consul General Rebong as saying. “He’s amazing because instead of joining gangs or doing drugs or blaming others for all the hardships that came his way as a kid, he decided to do something to improve his lot. That alone is already a big help to the community. He had nothing in life but he was able to give so much. 

Cora Reyes, executive director of NaFFAA Region I, said Efren’s ability to touch the hearts of those who hear him speak plays a big role in the success of his Dynamic Teen Company.”I learned four things from Efren,” Consul General Rebong added, “There is no age requirement in order to help others. You don’t have to be rich, and we all know that Efren comes from a very poor family. Helping people doesn’t require a complicated scheme — Efren and his team just looked around, identified the problems and did something to address them. The fourth is when you do something that comes from the heart, you don’t expect any reward.”

“Everybody is deeply touched by his presentation,” Mrs. Reyes said. “He gives so much hope to many people. He has the makings of a great leader of tomorrow. Hangga’t may mga Efren Peñaflorida, hindi tayo dapat mawalan ng pag-asa.”

While in the Big Apple, Efren also served as keynote speaker at World Forum 2010 of the International Forum for Child Welfare (IFCW) at IBM Center in Palisades, N.Y. He also met with Fil-Am organizations in California and Washington. 

Last Thursday, Nov. 25, he graced the 2010 CNN Hero of the Year Award to be broadcast globally at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Last year’s event was held at Kodak Theater, where Efren received the award from Anderson Cooper no less.

”He remains very down-to-earth and very loveable just like when we first met him in LA last year,” said Los Angeles-based businesswoman Erlinda Granada Sabah, who is committed to helping promote Efren’s “Kariton Klasrum.” 

”When you get to talk to him, you will really fall in love with his advocacy, then you will fall in love with his personality,” Sabah told Edmund. “He really loves kids and he hasn’t changed a bit.”

Sabah pointed out that the $125,000 won by Penaflorida in March 2009 had been accounted for and used efficiently for the advocacy.

”Remember that 30 percent of the CNN prize went directly to the (IRS) Internal Revenue Service,” she explained. “And not a single centavo went to Efren or his family.”

Efren said 10 percent of the money went to a local church, another 30 percent to the scholarship of about 50 children (some of them incollege) while the rest went to the pushcart project and the construction of the building.

He proudly shared that the program that started way back in 1997 has already been duplicated in other parts of the Philippines, while his Dynamic Teen Company is consulted by the Department of Education to reach out to out-of-school youth.

When asked if his advocacy receives financial support from the Philippine government, Peñaflorida said no.

”But we get assistance every now and then from companies or organizations, and support from individuals, including celebrities,” he confided.

He said the pushcart classroom gets a boost every time famous figures show up to literally help push the carts stocked with books, notebooks, ballpens, and food. He cited showbiz stars Gerald Anderson, Karylle, Enchong Dee and TV journalist TJ Manotoc (and the Manotoc family) as among the avid supporters of the program.

”Talagang nakikitulak sila sa amin at nai-inspire talaga ang mga bata na mag-participate pag nandoon sila,” Efren said with a wide grin. “We’re very happy that they (actors) are starting to realize that they can use their fame to inspire and make a difference.”

Meanwhile, Efren admitted he gets invites to run for public office or try showbiz with offers of guestings in TV sitcoms, but the boyish Caviteño said he had to turn them down in order to concentrate on his youth programs.

”Kung gaya lang sana ni Efren ang lahat ng mga pulitiko sa Pilipinas, napakaganda siguro ng hinaharap ng bansa natin lalo na ng mga kabataan,” said one ranking community leader who requested anonymity.”I can probably do it to raise more money and publicity,” he told Edmund. “Pero hindi ko siguro talaga linya ang showbiz or politics at gusto ko rin talagang naka-focus ako sa mga programa ng Dynamic Teen Company.”

The same community leader said people must not be surprised if 10 or 20 years from now, Efren is catapulted to a national post.

“(Efren) must continue surrounding himself with the right people who have no other agenda but to help others,” he said.

“He must do his best to preserve his idealism and vision, compassion, and fear of God saan man siya dalhin ng kapalaran to avoid the pitfalls of power. Power and money can corrupt even the brightest and most promising leaders. Ganoon madalas ang nangyayari sa mga leaders natin at sana huwag mangyari kay Efren.”

Efren is a graduate of B.S. Secondary Education degree (cum laude) and A.A. Computer Technology. He plans to resume his masteralstudies in educational management at UP. He has an honoris causa, doctor of pedagogy, from the National Teachers College. 

He is flying back to Manila end of this month.

(Note: Donors can reach Efren by e-mail at fcalendar@club8586.com or visit www.dynamicteencompany.org)

(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph or at entphilstar@yahoo.com)