The Puerto Princesa Underground River in Palawan, Philippines is composed of a long mountain landscape and a beautiful, breathtaking subterranean river that winds through a cave that has been carved into shape by the giant hand of nature. So it comes as no surprise that the Puerto Princesa Underground River has made it as one of the 28 finalists in the global search for the New 7 Wonders of Nature.
The competition is tough, but if there is a site that should be in the top seven, then it should definitely be the Puerto Princesa Underground River. That is, of course, my unbiased opinion.
Aside from its staggering length and shape, within it lie unique discoveries, which were, until recently, unknown even to those who had frequented the site. For the last several months, an Italian group called La Venta has been conducting studies there, and they have made some stunning discoveries—such as the fossils of sea cows or Sirenia dating back to the Miocene period—roughly 20 million years ago. Aside from being rare fossils previously found only in Java, Indonesia, these findings also emphasize further the sheer historic value of our Underground River and of the country we live in.
I urge everyone to take part in this democracy-in-action on behalf of our own environment. By voting online at www.new7wonders.com, or—simpler—by texting PPUR to 2861, we can help the Puerto Princesa Underground River, as well as the Philippines, garner a distinct spot on the international tourist map. I leave the mode of choice to you, but please remember to vote, and vote to the maximum.
While winning a place in the top seven bolsters our sense of national pride, recognition is not the only thing we can gain. We must also remember that the tourists we can potentially attract will redound to thousands of employment opportunities; our success here will ultimately breed success for Filipinos everywhere.
—Excerpts from President Aquino’s speech at the official launch of the Puerto Princesa Underground River Campaign, June 6, 2011
Read the whole speech
Read Proclamation No. 182 s. 2011, declaring a national and international promotion campaign for the Puerto Princesa Underground River as one of The New Seven Wonders of Nature.
Project Brief: the Puerto Princesa Underground River campaign
Press release: President Aquino urges Filipinos to vote for the Puerto Princesa Underground River, February 10, 2011
For more information, please visit the official website of the city government of Puerto Princesa.
More photos of the Puerto Princesa Underground River
