Efren Penaflorida

Putting back the Filipino into the right perspective.

Club 8586 - has started its' campaign and selfless crusade to educate the children of the poorest of the poor in the slums of Cavite City. A Marginal sector that very few have dared trek.

Whenever I asked some religious cleric or lay person why the church havent made any enthusiastic or passionate attempt to reach out to these bottom of the stack sector... they answered - it's impossible, they keep saying that - these people will not listen - they need to be fed first before you get their attention, and their attention and retention span is not that long - so the target remains only to those who are already productive people of society.

This club where Efren belongs to is not craving for publicity - nor do they enjoy being in the limelight, they are merely more object centered... their object, to imitate Christ in the modern times... bringing education to the leat priviledge of the society like prisoners and children of the streets, I believe they are also catering to Widows.... at any rate, helping the needy by empowering them thru education.

Efren is one of the first beneficiaries of the club, he would have ended like any other young kid who grew up in that environment as either in prison, rehab or the grave. Bear in mind, Cavity City is known to have these Drug infested areas where Drugs like Ampethamine Crack is being used as livelihood - It is quite ironical, but just like any other movie... the villain is closely related to the heroe.

Who are the villain of the story?... Politicians that basically drained the economy of this city to what it is now. From being the richest city in Asia in 1963 - to now a 3rd class city category of a poor city in the Philippines. A trendline of progress going to a sharp descent.

At any rate - this is the drama of life... after all, how can heroes emerge if there are no villains in the first place?

Personally, I would rather have no villains at all and keep a rich city in prosperity... with this utopic vision, we will not be needing heroes anymore - since everyone will be able to see in oneself - they are all heroes.

Heroes are not born, they are merely an effect.

Pacquiao is no other than a modern day gladiator - definitely - no heroe in my category. Pacquiao doesn't change lives - he actually siphoned everyones time, money and productivity - reflect on this. A real heroe inspires, and makes one productive and most of all... a better human being, mind, body and spirit.

I have known Efren since he was still a young kid from the club 8586... as a matter of fact, I was a member of this club myself, not by choice... but of fate.

Let's all take inspiration from the stories of Efren and the Club and hopefully, get to see the poorest sector of society under a new light.

Peace be to all - Bangon! Gising na - Pilipinas!