Filipino Efren Peñaflorida has been named the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year for his pioneering work on bringing education to deprived streetchildren in a wooden cart.

Peñaflorida, who was born in Cavite, Philippines, is determined to give every child the chance to be better through the availability of education. Thus, Peñaflorida created the Kariton Klasrum (literally, “wooden cart classroom”) that brought learning and teaching aids for children to read through, with Peñaflorida guiding them. Peñaflorida, in his effort to encourage the youth to stay away from gangs and fraternities, also created the Dynamic Team Company (DTC), which in turn, also spawned other Kariton Klasrums.

The recognition was awarded to Peñaflorida at the third annual “CNN Heroes: an All-Star Tribute” event in Hollywood, Saturday.

”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,” exclaimed Peñaflorida after receiving the award. “‘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.”

Peñaflorida garnered 2.75 million votes from online voting.

The event, which gathered the top 10 heroes of 2009 included Brad Blauser (Wheelchair for Iraqi Kids)  and Andrea Ivory, a breast cancer survivor who goes door-to-door to offer free screening in Miami, among others.