Tuesday, April 15, 2008 Chocolate Hills, Tubbataha Reef are top in worldwide nature search
SENATOR Pia Cayetano on Monday hailed the collective effort of Filipinos for the phenomenal rise of two Philippine natural wonders which recently barged into the top 10 rankings of the worldwide search for the "Seven Wonders of Nature."
The lawmaker acknowledged growing support from Filipinos here and abroad for boosting the rankings of Bohol's Chocolate Hills (ranked seventh) and Palawan's Tubbataha Reef (ranked ninth) in the Top 77 Live Rankings of the worldwide online poll as of April 13.
"I hope this showing of support by Filipinos is a true reflection of our growing concern for the environment and a deeper understanding of our responsibility to protect our natural resources," said Cayetano, chairperson of the Senate environment committee.
Chocolate Hills and Tubbataha Reef was at 13th and 14th, respectively, in the Live Rankings just a week ago.
A third Philippine candidate, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park in Palawan is ranked No. 270.
The "Seven Wonders of Nature" search is organized by the non-profit New Seven Wonders Foundation, which also undertook the "New Seven Wonders of the World" search which was rounded up last year.
The aim of the search is to create public awareness and contribute to the protection of the world's natural heritage and foster respect for cultural diversity.
The list of nominees and the mechanics for voting are posted on the poll's official website www.new7wonders.com while the live rankings can be viewed at http://www.new7wonders.com/nature/en/liveranking.
Filipinos can still vote for the Philippine candidates until December 31, 2008, after which the top 77 nominees will be submitted to a panel of experts that will put together a shortlist of 21 finalists by January 2009.
A second round of popular voting for the 21 finalists will then follow until the end of 2009 with the top seven nominees being officially declared the "New Seven Wonders of the World" by the year 2010. (CPB/Sunnex)
