Efren Penaflorida named the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year

CNN Hero of the Year: Efren Penaflorida

Efren Penaflorida, the pride of the Philippines has been named the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year after 7 weeks of online voting at CNN.com with more than 2.75 million votes were cast.

CNN anchor, Anderson Cooper announced Saturday night during the third-annual “CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute” at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood.

Efren started a “pushcart classroom” in the Philippines to bring education to poor children as an alternative to gang membership.

Penaflorida received an additional $100,000 to continue his work with the Dynamic Teen Company.

Congratulations Efren. Proudly Pinoy!

*CNN image