CNN hero graces Lancaster New City's youth leadership lecture

MANILA, Philippines - Over 50 young individuals left the audio visual room of St. Edward Integrated School (SEIS) inspired and motivated from a free lecture on youth leadership.

The young residents of Lancaster New City were greeted by Ms. Nida Detablan, Community Relations and Development Manager of Property Company of Friends, Inc. (PRO-FRIENDS). She emphasized in her welcome remarks that the lecture and the other programs for the homeowners were initiated by the company as part of its purpose of creating communities and transforming lives.

The guest speaker for the event was the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year, Efren Peñaflorida. He gave a short lecture on the right values and attitude a good leader should have. He also told stories of how he, at 16 years old, was able to start and lead his youth group called Dynamic Teen Company.

Efren is most recognized for his “kariton classrooms” advocacy, where he used pushcarts filled with books and school materials to bring free education to poor children. This story of philanthropy and love for others inspired everyone who attended.

Before Efren ended his talk, he introduced Kesz Valdez to the audience. Kesz was living in a dump site when he was a kid; he ran away from home and was adopted by Efren’s mentor. Since then, Kesz has been helping street children by giving them gifts called “Hope Gifts” and teaching them proper hygiene.

Kesz is now the co-founder of Championing Community Children, a youth group that continues Kesz’s advocacy. This group also aims to give hope to street children, showing them that they can still change their lives. Kesz is also the winner of 2012 International Children’s Peace Prize.

Efren and Kesz’s lectures gave inspiration to the youth of Lancaster New City. They told them that age should not hinder anyone from helping others and making a change.

The event was indeed a success, credit to the efforts of PRO-FRIENDS, Lancaster New City, and the Lancaster Youth Group.

PRO-FRIENDS, is one of the country’s fastest growing real estate developers known for their property developments in Cavite and Iloilo. It is the developer of Lancaster New City and Bellefort Estates in Cavite and Parc Regency Residences and Monticello in Iloilo. The company has 11 on-going projects and 15 completed and successful communities. For more information on PRO-FRIENDS’ properties, please call (02) 491-7700 - Manila or (033) 338-3656 - Iloilo or visit www.profriends.com.