Lakandula award awaits CNN hero Peñaflorida

The government will confer Efren Peñaflorida the Order of Lakandula upon his return to the country after being named Hero of the Year by international news network CNN. "Efren has indeed proven that any individual can help make a difference in the world. He has also shown the world the best in the Filipino. Let each one of us unleash the hero within us by helping the next person as Efren said," said President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Sunday night. Peñaflorida won over nine other "CNN heroes" - seven of whom were American - for pioneering a brand of mobile education, or the "pushcart classroom," for urban poor youth. Peñaflorida said that being included in the top 10 alone was already an honor. The Order of Lakandula is one of the highest honors given by the Philippine government. It is an order of political and civic merit, awarded in memory of Lakandula’s dedication to the responsibilities of leadership, prudence, fortitude, courage and resolve in the service of one’s people. - GMANews.TV