I thought it was  going to be another one of those ordinary days. The Autumn season was slowly showing it’s pretty reds, oranges and faded greens and my window pane next to the study  had a rhythmic beat from the steady Fall drizzle. As my children nestled on the corner of the couch, hypnotized by the faint drumbeats produced by Dora, I went about with my daily news reading with a few clicks of my reliable mouse.

Splashed across CNN’s website was a young man who I thought looked Filipino.  A few clicks and a couple of paragraphs later, I discovered that this handsome young kid was indeed Filipino. I found out his name: Efren Peñaflorida. At 28, he accomplished some of the most amazing selfless acts that got the attention of CNN Heroes of the Year 2009, Andersen Cooper 360, Larry King, and literally thousands of blogs, forums and chatrooms.

My ordinary day was rip-roaring by the end of the hour. I read and watched every post and video about Efren and all his projects. I thought, why not invite this guy for a chat, sip a hot cup of cocoa and simply hang out–all virtual of course. Barriosiete already posted a story about him, and it would be fabulous to have him talk to Barriosiete readers straight from his heart.

Before I sent the barrage of questions to Efren, I did some background research. Efren grew up in the dumps–literally. His biography from Dynamic Teen Company website said that he was born to a tricycle driver and a housewife parents near an open garbage facility. Having lived in the slums he was exposed to the “ills of society” and was bullied throughout his childhood. He found a safe haven in CLUB 8586 and here began his astonishing life journey and found his calling.

I read in your biography that you were a member of Club 8586, what was the club about?

Club 8586 is a Christian people development organization continuously existing as a non-profit, non-sectarian, non-denominational organization. Founded in 1985 and established in 1986, CLUB 8586 is now operational across the region — Cavite Province, Metro Manila Cities and Municipalities pursuing the Club’s banner — “Reaching Families, Campuses and Communities”. Sila nagpaaral sa akin since high school, helped me in my college until I finished BS Education.

How did the club influence your life?

It did a lot because there I found my mentor who changed my perspective about a lot of things. He introduced me also to a personal and deep relationship with God and taught me a lot of principles that will bring about success.

What attracted you to Club 8586?

I got attracted because they were very nice and comfortable to be with. I felt I belong while in others before them I felf I was discriminated and always left out and sometimes bullied.

Your creation of  Dynamic Teen Company (Making a Difference) was indeed a good alternative for these children. What made you do it?

My mentor taught me if I want to get back with  revenge to those who harmed and threatened me, it will worsen the situation. Instead he encouraged me to think of a way to get back at them positively and it is by helping the community and society reduce the number of recruits in gangs.

I wanted to find the source why children are getiing into these kinds of groups. My mentor and my teammates did an informal research about productively helping the community .

It’s amazing how a young teen found a positive way to help his community, what is the core mission of DTC?

Dynamic Teen Company (DTC) is a group of concerned young people with a mission of making a small yet significant difference in other people’s lives, particularly the small children in slum areas who have no access to education, basic hygiene and sometimes, even love from their families. The group was founded in August 1997 by four teenagers from Cavite National High School. The initial group made up of around 20 members started as a friendship club which aimed to divert the attention of students from joining violent gangs and notorious fraternities that were thriving on the campus. Their major platform then was to cater youth awareness projects, talent and self development activities, and community services. Today, the group holds different activities to address these issues.

Who benefits from this  project?

The unschooled, drop-outs and gang proteges.

With your credentials and your heart for the people, surely you still remember the first time you went on stage and shared your message. When was this?

It was at a Leadership training where I was asked to speak, I was only 15 then. The main speech was when I was awarded in Club 8586 as an Excellent member awardee where i almost cried because of mixed emotions.

What a project! We at Barriosiete are honored to have this special talk with you. We’re glad to present this to our readers. What was going through your  mind now that you see your cause growing by the minute?

Of course, I am happy because nobody believed us in 1997 but the challenge is how we can maintain them inside the group.

How many people are volunteering and helping with DTC?

Actually it is not big in number or size. It is big in the number of projects and activities. CNN  took notice of the works, the quality and not the quantitty. It has past and present membership of around 12,500 total.

How many of you started it?

We’re less than 20.

How do you get funding for this project?

Through Club 8586, Inc. and my mentor’s help.

What government support do you have for this cause?

None.

Was it hard to get the government to notice this effort?

Yes, very much in the past 11 years except now that it gained a lot of attention.

You have at least 9 project under DTC umbrella, how do you manage it?

We assign coordinators and train our leaders per project who in turn are being trained for it.

Kariton Klasrum, Klinik at Kanteen is a mobile classroom delivered to the slums at a certain date during the week. What a great idea! How did this start?

It was an evolution of ideas that we need to create solutions for the existing problems while doing the street education. We started with handcarried plastic bags, then resorted to backpacks, then later we were given a pedicabe which lasted for 4 years then when we can no longer contain the materials we built the Kariton.

Do you personally teach in these activities?

Yes, weekly I train and oversee/supervise them.

How many Karitons do you have?

We have Kari, Toni and Trio. 3 all in all.

There are at least 4 klasrum activity every Saturday, how many workers does one site require?

25 to 35 volunteers.

This Kariton project alone is a testimony to your leadership and management qualities. Kudos to you, Kuya F! When do you do your training sessions and how do you recruit volunteers?

They are all students whom we train on Sundays. We  recruit them in campuses and then train them in our center.

The influence you leave behind these children with impressionable minds is so life-changing, keep up the good work. How do you do it?

I am always reminded to set a good example and be a role model to them.  I am compeled to walk the talk.

What makes you proud?

The stories of triumph when kids graduate and some get honors in class.

Are there any future plans?

To put up our own sanctuary and educational learning facility for kids.

What message do you want to relay to people who want to make a difference, to the children, to your voters, to Barrio Siete readers?

“We must love and guide our children well!!! If we will have a better breed of the next generation, more decent leaders, lesser corrupt individuals and peace loving citizens, maybe then the world will be great again!” – a quote i value so much that i have learned from my mentor

If you must, vote often, please bear in mind that Efren is just a representative of the cause, the children and the volunteers. You vote for the future of the children and the future of our country through these children we  reach and teach. Thank you Barrio Siete.

——-

After the interview, my ordinary day magically turned out into an extraordinary week. The faith, inspiration, commitment, and leadership qualities of Efren Peñaflorida are worth mulling over for days. And I hope that one day a young successful man or woman will approach him and say,

“Your heroism changed my life forever!”

To read about his work, check out CNN’s Pushcart classes help break gang chain.

Related article: Help Make a Filipino Become This Year’s CNN Hero

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mahalia is is a mom of three, devoted wife and is still traversing life as an immigrant. She blogs at Chocolateword and is currently an apprentice at a Christian Writer’s Guild. Currently based in the US, Mahalia is currently taking Creative Writing at UCLA.