Dorothea Benedict in the North: Do YOUR Part to Make Puerto Princesa Underground River one of the Seven Wonders of Nature

Tourists enjoying the majestic view of Puerto Princesa Underground River
(image from http://flickr.com/photos)

This coming December, my friends and I will be in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. By that time, we hope that the famous Puerto Princesa Underground River will be one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

Palawan’s Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) is the longest underground estuary in the world. It is located 50 kilometers north of Puerto Princesa City and nestled underneath St. Paul Mountain. PPUR is the only Philippine site to be included in the elite group of 28 worldwide finalists which was trimmed down from 440 natural sites in 2007.

By estimation, at least a billion votes are needed for PPUR to be included in the New Seven Wonders of Nature (N7WN). Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn appealed to the public to heavily support the campaign to vote PPUR so that by November 11, 2011 (11.11.11) we will be included in the list of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

In this note, Malacañang warmly responded with Proclamation No. 182 “Declaring a National and International Promotion Campaign for Puerto Princesa UndergroundRiver as one of New Seven Wonders of Nature”

No less than President Benigno S. Aquino III himself urged and convinced the public, “There are 80 million cell phone users in the Philippines, sending two billion messages a day. If we need a billion votes to win, that’s only half a day.”

You can do your part to map the Philippines in the tourism world through PPUR by casting your votes in the following means:

1.)visiting www.new7wonders.com (Choose your 7 sites, register, confirm your email link, comfrim your vote, wait for voting confirmation message)

2.) text PPUR and send to 2861 for all the network in the Philippines (Globe, Smart, Sun, Touch Mobile, TnT)

3.) OFWs and Filipinos around the world can also do their share. Here is how to send text votes:

text PPUR and send to 77077 (Canada)

text PPUR and send to 19788555 (Australia)

text PPUR and send to 3888 (United Arab Emirates)

text PPUR and send to 001-1588-7715 (Korea)

text PPUR and send to 3874 (South Africa)

text Puerto and send to 7155 (Poland)

text N7WP-PUR and send to 55123 (Taiwan)

Let’s pray for success so that when it's our turn to visit the Puerto Princesa Underground River, it is not only UNESCO World Heritage Site but also one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. When that happened, wouldn't it be extra special knowing that you did your part? Urge your family and friends to do the same. Happy Voting!