EIren PeaIlorida, Jr.

EFREN PEAFLORDA: Power of the People TVC

Efren "Kuya Ef" Geronimo PeafIorida Jr. (Born March 5, 1981) is an educator and social worker in
the Philippines. He has been named "CNN Hero of the Year" in 2009 for his outstanding advocacy to
educate Filipino out-of-school youth through "pushcart classes." He founded the Dynamic Teen Company
(DTC) at the age of 16 years old. He now works in a local private school during the week and continues
his work with the DTC every Saturday.
Life and education
Efren Peaflorida was born the middle child of Efren Peaflorida Sr., a tricycle driver, and Lucila
Geronimo, a housewife.
[1]
The family eventually started a small noodle business to make ends
meet.
[1]
Efren grew up in an urban slum near an open dump site in Cavite City, Cavite, playing amongst
garbage and swimming in polluted waters.
[1]
He would often fall victim to neighborhood
bullying.
[1]
Peaflorida was one of World Vision's sponsored-children during his early childhood.
[2]

Peaflorida completed his elementary and high school education through the help of scholarships and
financial assistance, and received several class awards and honors.
[1]
n 2000, he graduated from San
Sebastian CollegeRecoletos de Cavite with a degree in computer technology, receiving highest
honors.
[1]
He pursued a second course at Cavite State University, graduating .:2,:/0 in 2006 with a
degree in Secondary Education.
[1]

Teaching and advocacy
n 1997, at 16 years old, Peaflorida started a youth group in his high school aimed at diverting students
attention away from street gangs, and towards community activism and personal development.
[1]
Joined
by other classmates, they named the group "Dynamic Team Company".
Dynamic Team Company started as a friendship club of around 20 members, with an aim of providing
youth awareness projects, talent and self-development activities, and community services.
[3]
They
partnered with Club 8586, another community service organization operating in the area.
They eventually pioneered the idea of the "pushcart classroom", wherein pushcarts were stocked with
school materials such as books, pens, tables, and chairs, and then used on Saturdays to recreate school
settings in unconventional locations such as the cemetery or trash dump.
[3]

Today, DTC's "pushcart classroom" also teaches basic reading and writing to street children.
[1]

CNN Hero
Peaflorida was nominated for CNN Heroes by Club 8586, the youth group that financed his elementary
and high school education.
[4]
After sifting through 9,000 nominees from over 100 countries, CNN's Blue
Ribbon Panel selected Peaflorida as one of its 28 heroes of 2009. On October 1, Peaflorida was
named among the ten finalists. On November 22, he was named CNN Hero of the Year for 2009.
[4]
The
award includes $100,000 cash to continue his work with Dynamic Teen Company.
[4]

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo conferred on Peaflorida the Order of Lakandula in a
ceremony at Malacaang Palace upon his return to the Philippines.
[5]

Si Efren Geronimo PeafIorida, Jr. (ipinanganak noong Marso 5, 1981) ay isang guro at panlipunang
manggagawa sa Pilipinas. Siya ang nagtatag at tagapamuno ng Dynamic Teen Company, na
naghahandog sa mga kabataang Pilipino ng alternatibo sa mga palaboy sa kalye sa pamamagitan ng
edukasyon, sa paglalapit ng paaralan sa mga hindi kinakaugaliang lugar tulad ng sementeryo at mga
tambakan ng basura.
[1]

Noong Marso 2009, itinampok si Peaflorida sa Bayani ng CNN bilang bahagi ng programa ng network
sa pagpaparangal sa mga indibidwal na may kahanga-hangang kontribusyon sa pagtulong sa
iba.
[2]
Noong Nobyembre 22, 2009, hinirang siyang Bayani ng Taon ng CNN para sa taong 2009.
[baguhin]Buhay kabataan
Si Efren Geronimo Peaflorida, Jr.ay ipinanganak noong 1981 bilang pangalawang anak nina Efren
Peaflorida Sr., isang traysikel drayber, at Lucila Geronimo, maybahay.
[3]
Nagsimula ang pamilya ng
isang maliit na negosyong pansitan para makasapat sa kanilang pangangailangan.
[3]
Lumaki si Efren sa
isang iskwater na malapit sa tambakan ng basura, naglalaro sa gitna ng mga basura at naliligo sa
maruming tubig.
[3]
Malimit siyang inaapi ng kanyang mga kapitbahay.
[3]

Nagtapos si Peaflorida ng elementarya at sekondarya sa tulong ng iskolarsip at tulong pinansyal, at
nagkamit siya ng ilang mga parangal at gawad sa klase.
[3]
Taong 2000, nagtapos siya sa San Sebastian
College - Recoletos na may degree sa Teknolohiyang Pangkompyuter na may mataas na
karangalan.
[3]
pinagpatuloy niya ang kanyang ikalawang kurso sa Cavite State University, kung saan
nagtapos siya bilang .:2,:/0 noong 2006 sa kursong Mataas na Edukasyon.
[3]

[baguhin]Dynamic Teen Company
Nang siya'y 16 na taong gulang, itinatag ni Peaflorida ang grupo ng kabataan sa mataas na paaralan na
may layuning ilayo ang atensyon ng mga mag-aaral sa mga gang sa kalye, at tungo sa pagbubuo ng
lipunan at pagunlad pansarili.
[3]
Kasama ang ibang kamag-aral pinangalanan nila ang grupo bilang
"Dynamic Team Company".
[baguhin] Hero
Si Peaflorida ay iminungkahi para sa Bayani ng CNN ng Club 8586, ang grupo ng kabataan na sumagot
sa pag-aaral niya ng elementarya at hayskul.
[4]
Matapos ang pagsaala sa mahigit 9,000 mga nominado
mula sa humigit 100 mga bansa, napili ng Blue Ribbon Panel ng CNN si Peaflorida bilang isa sa 28 mga
bayani ng 2009. Noong Oktubre 1, itinanghal si Peaflorida bilang isa sa mga sampung natitirang
nominado. At noong Nobyembre 22, hinirang siyang Bayani ng Taon ng CNN para sa taong 2009.
Kalakip ng parangal ang 100,000 dolyar na pera para ipagpatuloy ang kanyang gawain sa Dynamic Teen
Company.
[4]

An AdumsonIun's Pruyer

Dear Lord,
Teach me the things that are important:
To be generous with Your gifts,
Compassionate to those who have less,
Just in the face of unfair circumstances,
True when the world's values contradict my own,
Gracious when things don't go my way,
And magnanimous when they do.
May nothing else matter
Except Faith in Your goodness, my neighbor's, and mine,
Hope that things can get better,
And Charity that always set things right.
May Your special Love for the Poor,
The mark of my uniquely Vincentian education,
Be the work I excel in,
The standard I constantly refer to,
And my courage when I meet You someday.
With Mary, our Mother, and St. Vincent de Paul,Amen
Adumson Hymn

Adamson Alma Mater dear
All hail thy name
In our wand'ring far or near
We'll spread thy fame
Within thy portals hallowed
True wisdom we have followed
In every clime our loyal hearts
Will never fail
Through changeless time
Dear Adamson "U" hail!
Fling out thy banner high
The blue and white
Lift our voices to the sky
With raging might
Each noble son and daughter
From thee will never falter
Thru ev'ry hour to keep us
Faithful, strong and pure
God grant us pow'r to
Make our triumph sure!


'IsIon und MIssIon

Vision
Adamson University, a Catholic Vincentian educational institution, is a recognized leading center for
quality education particularly for the socially disadvantaged.

ission
As a Catholic University, we diligently pursue truth and knowledge, inspired by the Gospel values and
guided by the teachings of the Church;
As a Vincentian Community, we inspire others to follow the example of St. Vincent De Paul, who led
and organized his contemporaries in creatively responding to those who are in need;
As an institution of learning, we assist in the formation of competent, creative and socially responsible
leaders through our commitment to excellence in discovery, learning and service;
As a catalyst of social transformation, we provide quality services that empower others to become
agents of change.

ore 'uIues
Search for Excellence
The highest standards of academic excellence and professionalism in service are the hallmarks of our
educative endeavors. We regularly assess and transform our programs to make them effective for
learning, discovery of knowledge and community service. Our service ethics manifests strong sense of
responsibility, competency, efficiency, and professional conduct.

Spirit of St. Vincent de Paul
The Spirit of St. Vincent de Paul inspires and permeates our learning community, programs, and
services. This spirit is shown in our sensitivity to the presence of God, compassionate service, and the
building of supportive relationships towards an effective service to persons in need.Solidarity
Drawn together by a common vision and mission, we believe education is a shared responsibility and a
collaborative effort where the gifts of persons are valued. Our learning community is a "family" where
participation, teamwork, interdependence, communication, and dialogue prevail. A culture of
appreciation builds up our community, encouraging us towards excellence and professionalism.
Social Responsibility
Education at Adamson University aims at developing a sense of social responsibility - the mark of an
authentic Christian faith. Social responsibility leads us to empower the marginalized sectors of society
through the creation of knowledge and human development. We are committed to work for the
building of a society based on justice, peace, and respect for human dignity and the integrity of
creation.
$:stained Integral Development
Education is a lifelong quest whose primary purpose is the full and integral development of the human
person. We are committed to provide programs for holistic development and continuous learning.
Networking with other educational institutions, government agencies, industries, business, and other
groups enhances our educational services.