MANILA – CNN Hero of the Year Efren Peñaflorida vowed to continue his education advocacy and stressed he will not jump into the political arena.

“Meron, may nag-a-ask pero hindi ako tatakbo. Hindi ako papasok sa pulitika,” Peñaflorida told reporters upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Wednesday evening.

“Okay na okay na po ako na tumulong sa mga kabataan sa paraan na ginagawa namin ngayon,” he added.

American cable news network CNN hailed Peñaflorida as Hero of the Year for his “Kariton Klassroom” pushcart education program.

He beat nine other contenders from different countries after getting the highest number of online votes. More than 2.75 million votes were cast in 7 weeks, the CNN website reported. Over 9,000 nominations were sent in by viewers.

Peñaflorida and his group, the Dynamic Teen Company (DTC), began the “Kariton Klassroom,” a mobile classroom that brings around all their teaching materials to different areas they service.

The program gives Filipino youth an alternative to gang membership.

Learning center

Peñaflorida received $100,000 to continue his work with the DTC. He also got $25,000 for being included in the top 10 CNN Heroes.

He said he will be using the cash prize to carry on with his group’s education advocacy.

“Start kami na magkaroon ng center for learning so doon namin gagamitin yung cash grant na binigay ng CNN. And [for the] expansion ng Kariton Klassroom,” he stated.

Cavite Gov. Erineo “Ayong” Maliksi, meantime, disclosed that the province is backing up Peñaflorida’s plan of putting up a learning center. The province will give Peñaflorida P1 million.

Maliksi also mentioned that he is planning to offer Peñaflorida a special consultant position for special education projects.

Since 1997, more than 10,000 DTC volunteers have been helping educate more than 1,500 kids in depressed areas in Cavite.

Hidden hero

Peñaflorida’s parents, friends and DTC co-founders, meantime, were beaming with pride when they welcomed Efren at the airport.  

Around 100 DTC volunteers from Cavite City also gathered outside the arrival lobby to give the CNN Hero of the Year a hero’s welcome.

His mother, Lucila Peñaflorida, said she is very proud of her son’s achievements. “Proud na proud ako sa anak ko at naging superhero siya," she remarked.

Peñaflorida, for his part, said: “Maraming, maraming salamat po sa inyo... Para po sa atin ito, sa lahat ng mga selfless and dedicated Filipinos, hardworking.”

He then enjoined his supporters to believe in themselves: “Sa ating lahat po may mga bayani po sa puso natin. So kinakailangan lang po natin itong ipakita. Unleash po natin yung hero within us.”

Hero’s welcome

A grand homecoming is set for the CNN Hero. But before that, he will speak at a leadership seminar on Thursday.

Peñaflorida will be conferred the Order of Lakandula by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Friday. The Order of Lakandula is one of the highest honors given by the Republic of the Philippines.

There will be a hero’s welcome for him in Cavite province on the same day.

The party continues on Saturday as a grand hero’s welcome and motorcade will be held in Peñaflorida’s hometown, Cavite City. – With a report from TJ Manotoc, ABS-CBN News