Hero

Just almost two weeks ago, I posted here the educational endeavor of our government and most of our non-profit organizations in pursuit of stabilizing the educational system, widespreading it across the country with the objective of reaching out-of-school youths. I mentioned requesting votes for Efren Peñaflorida and his gang's 'pushcart classroom.'

Early today, when I opened my yahoo mail, this headline greeted me.

RP’s Efren Peñaflorida is 2009 CNN Hero of the Year

Our hero won!

He will receive a $100,000; the prize money 'Kuya F', as fondly called, pledge to the children his group is helping.

"Our planet is filled with heroes, young and old, rich and poor, man, woman of different colors, shapes and sizes. We are one great tapestry. Each person has a hidden hero within, you just have to look inside you and search it in your heart, and be the hero to the next one in need. So to each and every person inside in this theater and for those who are watching at home, the hero in you is waiting to be unleashed. Serve, serve well, serve others above yourself and be happy to serve. As I always tell to my co-volunteers ... you are the change that you dream as I am the change that I dream and collectively we are the change that this world needs to be." - quoted from Efren Peñaflorida acceptance speech for the CNN Hero of the Year at Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.

A hero lives in you, a hero lives in me, a hero lives in everyone of us. The only thing that strangles that hero is the selfishness that we possess. Our concern for our own welfare and disregarding others. Our drive to fulfill our earthly ambitions not minding who we are trampling on. We have our own good ways to reach and help each other. If only each one of us are practicing it, then the world is not enduring the worst it is suffering now.

Having known a person that embodies the spirit of self-giving gives a stirring feeling in our heart that advocates us to do good will. As what Kuya F mentioned on his speech, we could be a hero by just extending help to the next one in need.

This stormy and tragic year of 2009, Filipino embodied a great spirit of 'pagkaka-isa', the volunteerism. Lots of hero emerges. I just hope that this hero continue the spirit of helping each other not only in times of adversity like what we had during the tragic of Ondoy.

Lately Manny Pacquia won his fight. Another Filipino excels in the world of sports. Another Filipino raises the Philippine flag. Another Filipino hero.

Who's the next hero to emerge? Everyone (I hope).

I hope everyone listens to the good will of a hero inside him this coming 2010 Presidential election. Let us wisely cast our precious vote to the leader worthy of our trust. Let us choose the qualified one to represent and run our country. Let’s vote for the right kind of change in 2010!