Photos by Gerard Asay (HS’09)

Cable News Network 2009 Hero of the Year, Efren Penaflorida, graced the launching of “Gira”, the group spearheading the local version of the highly acclaimed “Kariton Education”, last January 22, 2010 at the Ateneo de Naga University Main Campus and city’s Plaza Quezon.

“Gira” (streak) is a student organization aiming at localizing and adapting Penaflorida and the Dynamic Team’s style of reaching out to marginalized sectors of the society.

In the whole-day affair, Penaflorida addressed the Ateneo college community, relating his experiences in the “Kariton Education.” He shared the beginnings of the endeavor and inspiringly prodded the students to share in the success by emulating the same ideals. 

Penaflorida then joined the Ateneo team in the afternoon outreach activity to the children of Barangay Lerma, Naga City. The team distributed food and played games with the street children. After the outreach, the team marched towards the Plaza Quezon with the customized “kariton” all intended for educating the out-of-school youth and street children.

Ateneo de Naga High School was represented by the faculty and staff, led by Ms. Grace Borja, Faculty and Staff Club President, and Mr. Mario Francis Embestro, Club Public Information Officer.