The Philippine Online Chronicles

Efren Peñaflorida Jr. has been recently nominated by the CNN Blue Ribbon Panel as one of the top ten finalists for CNN Heroes for 2009.

Peñaflorida, and the rest of the honorees for 2009 will receive $25,000 at the gala event CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute on November 26 (9 p.m. ET/PT) on the CNN global networks. An additional $100,000 will be awarded to the one who will be named CNN Hero of the year.

According to Inquirer.net, 28-year-old Peñaflorida started doing  social work when he was in high school. He founded the the Dynamic Teen Company (DTC), “a volunteer group aimed at encouraging youths to help underprivileged people, most especially other youths, by offering free teaching on basic subjects.”

On weekdays, Peñaflorida teaches at Palmridge School in Cavite. During Saturdays, he and volunteer youths go to the slums to teach. Dubbed as ““Kariton Klasrum” (pushcart classroom), the program aims to bring school classrooms to street children and out-of-school youths.

Together with volunteers, Peñaflorida teaches children subjects like English, Mathematics, and Science. Volunteers also bring hygiene clinics and medical examinations to poor communities. The network of volunteers nationwide has reportedly reached 10,000.

"I always tell my volunteers that you are the change that you dream and I am the change that I dream. And collectively we are the change that this world needs to be,” Peñaflorida told CNN.

The CNN Hero of the year will be announced on November 26, 2009. To vote for Peñaflorida, visit the CNN website.