(CNN)-- Efren Peñaflorida, who started a "pushcart classroom" in the Philippines to bring education to poor children as an alternative to gang membership, has been named the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year.

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte wants Efren Peñaflorida, a 2009 CNN Hero of the Year awardee known for his efforts in educating kids in slums, to head the Presidential Commission on ...

CNN has chosen a young Filipino Catholic as the winner of the their annual prize, “Hero of the Year.” Efren Penaflorida, 28, is the head of an organization which seeks to prevent impoverished children ...

Efren Penaflorida was grateful when Typhoon Haiyan bypassed his home in Cavite City, Philippines. But when he saw the devastation in other areas of the country, he wanted to do all he could to help ...

The pushcart and the backhoe, isn’t it ironic that the former now symbolizes what it would take for our country to heal itself and move forward, while the latter now serves as a reminder of how little ...

The simple heroism of Filipino Efren Peñaflorida and Filipino-American Robin Lim was once again in the limelight during the recent “CNN Superhero” poll to mark the 10th year of the yearly tribute.

Brother Efren is easy to find. Trace the curve of Manila Bay south, past the skyscrapers, through the urban sprawl. Inch across a jammed highway flanked by fishing huts on flamingo stilts. From there, ...

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Efren Penaflorida, who offered disadvantaged children in the Philippines a chance at education, said he is honored to be the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year. Penaflorida was ...