Pinoy Teacher For CNN Heroes 2009
Another Proud Pinoy teacher in the person of Efren Peñaflorida of Cavite City was first nominated for CNN Heroes 2009 in Championing Children category. A native of Cavite City, the 28 year old nominee grew up near the city’s dumpsite where he spent most of his younger years playing and swimming in the garbage beach. It shows in his character that he believed in our national hero, Jose Rizal’s “Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan” (the youth is the hope of our nation). Formed in 1997 in Cavite by Efren Peñaflorida, its mission then was to keep the youth away from trouble and vices. “Nakita namin yung pinaka-ugat ng problema na nanggagaling sa mga slum areas kung saan ginu-groom yung mga future gang members, gang leaders, so kaya nag-start kami noong 1999 na mag reach out sa mga bata sa slum area, para dun pa lang ma-guide na namin sila na di sila sumama sa mga ibang klaseng activities,” said Kuya F (as he is fondly called). I agree! Street gang is the most common problem now in the society.
Although Efren Penaflorida is no longer a teenager, in his own way, he stood up and make a difference by being a founder of Dynamic Teen Company where volunteers who believed in his vision go out and reach out for street children to teach them. Armed with “Kariton Klasrum” (wagon classroom) loaded with a blackboard, books, papers, pencils and other educational materials and go to slum areas of Cavite. They didn’t choose a place as their classroom, they did their teachings even in a cemetery as long as there are youth who wants to learn. Actually, they started doing this in 1997. After seeing DTC website and read how it all started and the sacrifices for giving education to less fortunate children, I am really impressed. The dedication to help the needy doesn’t need to be a politician, Kuya F proved that he knows the true meaning of being nationalistic and love for his countrymen… a true role model for todays’ youth. Being a nominatee and recognized by CNN Heroes 2009 will somehow make a lot big difference. How I wish there are more pinoy like him and DTC volunteers. Its too early to say but you already earned a space in heaven for doing those things especially in this time that the poor became poorer. The awards he received:
- Regional Winner, Outstanding Volunteer Awards (NEDA – 2008, Calamba, Laguna)
- Outstanding Caviteño in Public Service (2008, Independence Day Celebration, Cavite)
- Finalist for Global Youth Awards (2008, Southhampton, UK)
- Official Nominee for Right Livelihood Award Foundation (2005, Stockholm, Sweden)
- Gawad Geny Lopez Jr. Bayaning Kabataang Pilipino Regional Winner (2004, ABS-CBN Studio 1, Quezon City)
- Golden Anahaw Awardee as Outstanding Community Servant (2004, CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY, Cavite City)
- Role Model Awardee (2004, City Gov’t Award for CAVITE CITY WEEK, City Hall, Cavite City)
- Most Outstanding VBS Staff (1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003 , Club 8586 Center, Cavite City)
- Excellent Member Awardee (1997, LDES Multi-Purpose Hall, Club 8586 INC. Cavite City)
- Model Sunday School Student Award (1995, 1996, 1997, Club 8586 Center, Cavite City)
I saw some of DTC (Make A Difference) youtube videos, this one is my favorite.
Categories: Lifestyle Tags: CNN Heroes 2009, Proud Pinoy
Taxes: By The People, For The People
Am I right? No doubt that recession is already in the Philippines. I can still remember the video footage I saw in the news about VAT, people rallying with streamers against VAT.
How about the local governments? I wonder if they’re affected of global financial crisis when most lower class families continues to struggle on their daily lives looking for food to eat. How about the small businesses? Every year, taxes continue to increased. I guess, its not enough but the councilors continue to author “money generating” city ordinances, special permits and penalties that businesses will shoulder. In the long run, small businesses will be gone eventually. The worst part is… when time comes and US recovered from global financial crisis, Philippines will be left behind.
Taxes paid by the people should be felt by the people. I smell election already.
Maynilad, Where's The Water?
As of this writing, there’s still no water in Parañaque City. We’re not aware that there will be no water supply until few hours it went off. I could say that our barangay is big enough that a barangay tanod needs to use a megaphone riding in a service jeep, roam around the whole morning to let every household know the news. That Friday morning, there was no barangay tanod at all.
My sister got the news when she was out of the house at 8pm in Friday. OMG! I only have 4 hours to store water to our 2 big drums. My sister told me that the water will resume within 24 hours, then 36 hours (from TV Patrol)… Does Maynilad failed in informing the public? I don’t know. Is this something to do with Malacañang’s order to Maynilad to reschedule water bill price increase that was supposed to be in February?
Good thing that its a weekend, no school day but my kids needs to wear their uniforms tomorrow. We’re lucky in our street that we have a fire volunteer neighbor, he asked his co-volunteers to supply us water. Didn’t Maynilad realized that its almost 48 hours (2 days) that we don’t have water?
For the record, I paid a pedicab driver to fetch us some water so that my kids uniforms can be washed. Fire truck went to our street thrice yesterday and twice today.
LPG Shortage Or LPG Hoarding?
The last time I bought LPG tank was last year, December 15 at 360 pesos. It was again empty and need to be replaced last Wednesday. Would you believe that I can’t find a store to buy one? Some displayed a signboard “NO GAS“.
I went back in Thursday since my Auntie already bought one from my suking LPG dealer. The seller told me that he will sell me the following day. He told me he already promised the limited stocks he had in the store to other costumers. Ok, fine. Another day without LPG will be fine, I guess. I ask him how much so that I know when he deliver the LPG to my home the following day. What? it costs 600 pesos now. I think its overpriced already since I just saw Shell station’s stocks of Shellane LPG at 482 per tank on my way home. I’m using Argas LPG.
Changing my LPG tank would mean buying another set of regulator and LPG tank if I want to. But I’m not sure what regulator to be use on Shellane tank. I assume that the Shellane LPG I saw were for LPG operated vehicles such as taxi and cars. Then when I watched TV Patrol in Friday, Vice President Noli de Castro told DOE (Department of Energy) to tighter watch against traders and hoarders. Correct me if I’m wrong, there were news in the past that LPG tank price will increase in February. I don’t think there’s a shortage, from distributors, traders to small time dealers are hoarding their supplies to wait for official price increase of LPG tanks.
For his part, Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes on Thursday said supply of cooking gas will normalize starting Monday next week with fresh deliveries from oil companies of around 23,000 metric tons.
The LPG Marketers Association, however, warned the problem could last until next month. LPGMA also said prices will go up by P5 per kilogram next month due to the $100-increase in LPG contract price in the world market. - taken here
First, rice shortage. Now, LPG hoarding. Are we there yet? Who’s to blame? Us, the consumers?
Feb. 2, 2009 update: I already bought one for php 625. Do I have a choice?
