Fim-Am Midwife is 2011 CNN Hero of the Year

Just when we thought that this December is such a forgettable month, a good news for the Pinoy will comes out like a fresh breather.

Amidst the showbiz controversies, unbelievable heavy rains and a freak plane tragedy that hugged the spotlight, 2011 will end with a sweet victory for the Philippines.  Robin Lim, an Fil-Am midwife based in Indonesia has been named as the 2011 CNN Hero of the Year today.

Image taken from news-website.info

Robin Lim, an American woman who has helped thousands of poor Indonesian women have a healthy pregnancy and birth, was named the Hero of the Year on Sunday night.

54-year old LIm was recognized for helping thousands of poor Indonesian women have a healthy pregnancy and birth. CNN described her as a community crusader who is affectionately called by people touched by her foundation as “Ibu Robin” (Mother Robin).

Born to an American soldier and a Filipino mother, Lim is a certified professional midwife affiliated with the North American Registry of Midwives and the Ikatan Bidan Indonesia.

“Eleven years ago, I witnessed it working high in the Cordillera mountains. I feel it can work the world over,” Lim said during an interview by the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

She spent her time in the Philippines by providing free natal services to relatives and friends she met in Baguio and other Cordillera provinces before she and her husband Willaim Hemerle were based in Indonesia. The couple has five children.

"Every baby's first breath on Earth could be one of peace and love. Every mother should be healthy and strong. Every birth could be safe and loving. But our world is not there yet," Lim said during "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute," which took place at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles and recognized Lim and the other top 10 CNN Heroes of 2011.

The CNN Hero of the Year was chosen by the public after an 11-week vote on CNN.com. Lim will receive $250,000 for her cause. That's in addition to the $50,000 that she and the rest of the top 10 Heroes each received for making the top 10.

CNN has given this award in the last five years, with the help of entertainers and other celebrities, have honored everyday people changing the world. This year's presenters include TV and movie personalities J.R. Martinez, Chris Colfer,  Laura Dern, Mary-Louise Parker and Sofia Vergara, comedians Jerry Seinfeld and George Lopez; actors; musical artists Ice Cube and will.i.am; model Christy Turlington Burns; and former NFL quarterback Kurt Warner.

In 2009, social worker and educator Efren Peñaflorida became the first Filipino to be named CNN’s Hero of the Year in 2009.