Efren Peñaflorida, Jr. -
NVM Honorary Chair 2013-2014 December 9, 2013

December 2013 is the National Volunteer Month (NVM) in the Philippines and preparations are underway for celebrating the contributions of volunteers and volunteer service organizations and giving tribute to heroic deeds especially during times of disasters and calamities where the "bayanihan" spirit of Filipinos is widespread and compelling.

Leading the month-long celebration is NVM Honorary Chair Efren Peñaflorida Jr., head and founder of the Dynamic Teen Company (DTC) in Cavite. ‘Ef’ or ‘Kuya Ef’, as he is popularly called, has come a long way from being a victim of bullying and gang fights and now a mentor and counselor of troubled teens, trainor of youth leaders and an advocate of education and youth reform. He is a recipient of numerous local, national and international awards, significant of which were the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year and the 2008 Search for Outstanding Volunteer (SOV). Efren has now become an icon for youth volunteering and development.

As Honorary Chair, Efren will champion the NVM celebration through advocacy in various social media channels, inviting the public to participate in NVM activities, and especially call on the youths to volunteer in HIV and AIDS prevention activities in support of the NVM theme “Volunteering for the MDGs: Combat HIV/AIDS”.

Also, part of his official function is to co-present with Socio-Economic Planning Secretary and NVM Chair Arsenio M. Balisacan the 2013 SOV Awards to volunteers and volunteer service organizations. The awarding ceremony will be held on 13 December 2013 at the Crown Plaza Galleria corner Ortigas Avenue and San Miguel Avenue, Quezon City.