LOS ANGELES—A Filipino street educator has been named the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year for starting a “pushcart classroom” in the Philippines to bring education to poor children as an alternative to gang membership.

The selection of Efren Peñaflorida was revealed on Saturday night by CNN’s Anderson Cooper at the conclusion of the third-annual “CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute” at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood.

The gala event, taped before an audience of 3,000, premieres on Thanksgiving, Nov. 26, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT) on the global networks of CNN.

As a child, Peñaflorida picked school over gang life in Cavite City and vowed to create a way for other children to make the same choice.

He created a program that brings books to children in slums and on the streets, and the 10,000 members of his Dynamic Teen Co. have brought reading, writing and hygiene to 1,500 youngsters.

(The Inquirer published Peñaflorida’s inspiring story and heroism in its issue of March 23, 2009.)

Be happy to serve

Peñaflorida, who will receive $100,000 to continue his work, was selected after seven weeks of online voting at CNN.com. More than 2.75 million votes were cast.

“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,” Peñaflorida, now a 28-year-old college graduate, said upon accepting the honor.

“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,” he said.

“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 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.”

Documentary tribute

The top 10 CNN Heroes, chosen by a blue ribbon panel from an initial pool of more than 9,000 viewer nominations, were each honored with a documentary tribute and introduced by a celebrity presenter. Each of the top 10 Heroes received $25,000.

At the ceremony honoring people who make a difference in the lives of others, Kate Hudson, Pierce Brosnan, Neil Patrick Harris and other stars who are used to getting applause were giving it gladly.

“I’ve cried twice and we’re on hero three,” Harris said backstage after introducing one of the 10 “CNN Heroes.”

“There are so many awards shows every year for the Hollywood community that participating in something as effective as this makes those others feel inconsequential” and provides perspective, said Harris, star of CBS’ “How I Met Your Mother” and recent Emmy Awards host.

Emotional moment

Brosnan, honoring a woman who started an anti-breast cancer project, created one of the evening’s most emotional moments as he recalled his late wife’s battle against the disease.

She was a “magnificent mother, a wonderful actor,” he said of Cassandra Harris, who died of ovarian cancer in 1991.

“There are too many of us who have lost someone to this brutal disease called cancer, and we are all sick and tired of cancer winning,” Brosnan said in introducing breast cancer survivor Andrea Ivory, who runs a mobile mammography project in Miami that provides free screenings.

The pair posed backstage for photos, Ivory glamorous in a gown with an oversized pink bow—symbolic of the ribbons that mark the breast cancer battle.

“Stunning,” Brosnan said, smiling broadly as cameras focused on her.

“You make me nervous,” Ivory replied, but Brosnan would have none of it. “You’re the star,” he said.

Leona Lewis, Carrie Underwood and Maxwell performed, and other presenters included Nicole Kidman and George Lopez.

Shine light on everyday people

The awards show, which is unusual for a TV news network, was created in 2007 after CNN producers and correspondents talked about meeting many unsung heroes, said Jim Walton, president of CNN Worldwide.

“We do something that’s not done—shine a light on everyday people that do extraordinary work,” Walton said before the event.

Cooper, who hosted the tribute, said: “With the recognition they receive on our stage they’ll be able to help thousands and thousands of people. Through their efforts, lives will be changed and lives will be saved.”