"When people regard me as a hero, I always tell them that they should look inside them too, because I believe that there's
a hero inside every one of us and all we have to is just to open our eyes wide and feel what's going on.
Let our hearts be willing to accommodate the needy, the desperate and the hopeless simply by extending our hand to them,
and there you will unfold the hero that is in you."
Efren G. Peñaflorida, Jr.
In 1997, one visionary young man, Efren Peñaflorida Jr., came up with an answer to the problem of educating underprivileged children.
He was only 16 years old when inspiration struck. Having lived in a garbage dump in his early days,
He knew too well the painful trials, fears, and perils of destitution. Now his Dynamic Teen Company offers an alternative to gangs through education.
Vote now for Efren as the CNN Hero of the Year at CNN.com/Heroes.
Who is Efren Peñaflorida Jr.?
CNN Hero Nominee 2009
Turner Broadcasting, New York City
National Winner, Outstanding Volunteer Awards
PNVSCA and UN Volunteers Program 2008, Manila Hotel
PGMA Presidential Leadership Awardee
2006, Cavite State University, Cavite City
Nominee for Right Livelihood Award Foundation
2005, Stockholm, Sweden
Gawad Geny Lopez Jr. Bayaning Pilipino Awardee
2004, ABS-CBN Studio 1, Quezon City
Golden Anahaw Awardee as Outstanding Community Servant
2004, CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY, CvSU, Cavite
Role Model Awardee
2004, City Gov’t Award for CAVITE CITY WEEK, City Hall, Cavite City
Excellent Member Awardee
1997, Club 8586, Inc., Caridad, Cavite City
Pushcart classes help break gang chain Efren Peñaflorida Jr. was bullied by gangs in high school in the Philippines.
Now his Dynamic Teen Company offers an alternative to gangs through education.
Since 1997, some 10,000 members have taught more than 1,500 children in slums
Have you voted for Efren?
Peñaflorida grew up in Caridad, Cavite not having much. The middle child of a tricycle driver and a vendor, he dreamt of being an engineer.
He met his mentor during grade school, a pastor at Club 8586, where he volunteered to help with outreach projects.
It was his mentor who also encouraged him to continue with volunteer work, assuring him that the Club will help him with his education.
Knowing firsthand how living in the slums can push children into a life filled with drugs, violence and hopelessness,
Peñaflorida formed the Dynamic Teen Company (DTC) in 1999 to divert the attention of students from violent gangs and fraternities.
He recalls being told by his mentor that if he didn’t change his life, he will either end up in jail or get killed.
With DTC, he encouraged others to focus their energies on community service and talent development.
Efren Peñaflorida Jr. - Founder of Dynamics Teen Company In 1997, one visionary young man, Efren Peñaflorida Jr., came up with an answer to the problem of educating underprivileged children. He was only 16 years old when inspiration struck. Having lived in a garbage dump in his early days, earning money for his parents selling corn on the street, Efren himself was the product of agonizing, soul-searing poverty. He knew too well the painful trials, fears, and perils of destitution.
Together with the help of some local friends, he formed the DTC to improve the lives and minds of the neediest children.
Dynamic Teen Company Dynamic Teen Company (DTC) is a group of concerned young people with a mission of making a small yet significant difference in other people’s lives, particularly the small children in slum areas who have no access to education, basic hygiene and sometimes, even love from their families.
The group was founded in August 1997 by Efren Peñaflorida Jr. and three other teenagers from Cavite National High School.
The initial group made up of around 20 members started as a friendship club which aimed to divert the attention of students from joining violent gangs and notorious fraternities that were thriving on the campus.
Their major platform then was to cater youth awareness projects, talent and self development activities, and community services.
Today, the group holds different activities to address these issues.
KAPUSO MO, JESSICA SOHO: Makilakbay sa biyahe ng Kariton Classroom
Hanggang ngayon, nala-last song syndrome (LSS) pa rin ako sa linya ng kantang ito na kinompose at inawit ng volunteers ng Kariton Classroom. Sa katunayan, ringtone na rin siya ngayon ng cellphone ko. Hindi lang kasi masarap sa tenga ang melody nito… kundi sa lyrics pa lang ng kanta, napaka-positibo na ng mensaheng nais nitong iparating.
