Kuya Efren is the man in the mirror
- And then a hero comes along. Kuya Efren deserves to win the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year Award.
” …I see the kids in the street
With not enough to eat
Who am I to be blind
Pretending not to see their needs…
…I’m starting with the man in the mirror
I’m asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change…”
(excerpts from Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson)
I started this blog with lyrics from Michael Jackson’s song. Not because I am an MJ fan but because of a Filipino who proved that there is really a man in the mirror. A man who can change the world through his own ways.
What I am referring to is the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year. Efren Peñaflorida showed how an ordinary person can make a change in his society. It was his initiative in helping unfortunate children which led him to being recognized as a hero.
Efren, also known as Kuya F, brought education to unfortunate children who can’t have themselves on school through his mobile kariton. In 1997, the 16-year-old Kuya F, together with some of his friends, formed the Dynamic Teen Company. Basically, the group aims to help less fortunate children and keep them away from the influence of notorious gangs in the community.
Efren is not as well-off as others. As a matter of fact, he is a child of a tricycle driver and a housewife. He grew up in Cavite seeing the reality that poor Filipino families experience. He was one of those being bullied by gang members. Seeing this reality in life, he thought that he had to do something to change all these.
Now, he is giving hope to poor Filipino children who want to learn and have better lives. Through his mobile kariton, he brought books and other school stuffs accessible to children.
Kuya Efren have helped a lot of people especially the youth. I have read some accounts of people who were reached by his initiative. All of them thanked Efren because through him, their lives, which were supposed to be nowhere now went somewhere, and that is volunteering for the DTC. Truly, a high appreciation must be given to Kuya Efren.
Indeed, what Kuya Efren done is an example to all of us how we can make a change in our society. We always say that we are tired of the government because they are not doing their jobs. I think blaming the government is not enough. All of us should make our own steps so we can have the change we want to see in our country. Kuya Efren was an ordinary Filipino. He is not rich, nor popular to gain supports. But now, he is a recognized hero! This proves us that riches is not what we need to have a better society. All we need is our own initiatives.
Each of us has a hidden heroic characteristics. I guess it’s not the time to hide it. Let your hidden-self be helpful in the Philippine Society. Serve your country. Serve the people. Be a hero.
[photo from http://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cnn.heroes/archive09/efran.penaflorida.html]
blog originally from Thoughts Brewed 24/7 (http://www.topblogs.com.ph/out/14497)
