Vote for RP nominees in New7Wonders poll urged

MANILA, Philippines - The longest underground river in the world lost the top spot in the ‘New7Wonders of Nature’ (www.new7wonders.com) poll to the world’s largest river. Just a few months after claiming the top spot in the nomination phase, Palawan’s Subterranean River National Park was edged out by the Amazon River in the ongoing second phase of the New7Wonders online poll. Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Ace Durano urged Filipinos to “keep the eye on the prize" and continue voting for all Philippine entries to the worldwide contest. “All the voting and support have already generated immense publicity for our country. It would indeed be a feat for the Philippines if the Puerto Princesa Subterranean Park becomes one of the seven phenomenal sights in the world," Durano said Wednesday. Palawan’s underground river topped the said online poll last year while Tubbataha Reef ranked 3rd, Chocolate Hills located in Bohol province ranked No. 5, Mayon Volcano in Albay province is ranked No. 11, Mt. Pinatubo in Zambales and Hundred Islands National Park in Pangasinan is ranked No. 31 and No. 28, respectively. But when the votation for the second stage began last Jan. 7, the subterranean river lost the top spot to the Amazon River. Only 77 of the 261 nominees will remain after voting ends in July 7, 2009. The DOT said that after the top 77 candidates are determined, the New7Wonders Panel of Experts, led by Prof. Federico Mayor, former director-general of UNESCO, will then take over to select the 21 finalists. The voting will resume shortly after the 21 finalists have been announced. "The nominees will compete for vote against candidates within their category. Simultaneous with the voting, the New7Wonders World Tour will visit the 21 Finalists to give each a chance to be seen by the whole world. The final 7 will be announced in 2011," the DOT added in a statement. The non-profit New7Wonders Foundation, which also undertook the “New Seven Wonders of the World" search that was rounded up in 2007, said that through this contest, it aims to undertake documentation and conservation works of monuments worldwide under the motto, “Our Heritage is Our Future." - Mark Joseph Ubalde, GMANews.TV