Sun Life lauds 'Pinoy' heroism

MANILA, Philippines - Real heroism is not simply about death-defying feats, but is about making a positive difference and improving lives. It is with this noble thought that Sun Life Financial-Philippines paid tribute to the first Filipino to cop CNN’s Hero of the year top prize Efren Geronimo Penaflorida, Jr. whose inspiring story has earned for the country great pride and joy.

Sun Life first invited “ Kuya Ef,” as he is fondly called, in August last year to speak before the company’s field managers about the mission of the ‘Kariton’ classroom which his Dynamic Teen Company initiated in 1997 primarily to help bring street gangsters back to school.

Since then, Kuya Ef has been invited to several forums conducted by Sun Life sales branches in Metro Manila where he continued to inspire and share his thoughts about doing good, making a difference, and being a hero. Sun Life became one of the many supporters who backed him up in his bid for the CNN award.

During his recent visit to the Sun Life Philippines headquarters in Makati where he was presented a cash donation in support of the activities of the Dynamic Teen Company, Kuya Ef narrated his most gratifying experience as a top CNN awardee. For an ordinary individual just wanting to help, the recognition was indeed a wonderful gift, he noted.

In commenting about the CNN award, Kuya Ef attributed this accomplishment to his mentor and friend ‘Kuya’ Bonn who first broached the idea of street education way back in the 80s. “Kuya Bonn served as our inspiration all these years and this CNN honor happened all because of his enduring passion to help the underprivileged.”

It is this noble concept of using a pushcart to impart learnings to street gangsters that attracted CNN to give the top plum to a Filipino in November 2009 as part of the news network’s program to honor individuals who make extraordinary contributions to help others.

For her part, Sun Life Financial-Phils. president & CEO Rizalina Mantaring congratulated Kuya Ef and his Dynamic Teen Company for endeavoring to provide a good alternative to teen violence in the streets. “Sun Life has always upheld its mission to protect the future of the Filipino family. Kuya Ef’s extraordinary efforts to give every Filipino, specially the youth, the opportunity to learn, be resilient and be creative in dealing with life in order to create a better future fits in perfectly with that mission. The ‘kariton’ classroom is one great example of heroism anchored on public service that is sincere, humble and with great passion to making this a better world to live in,” Mantaring said.