Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

MANILA - As the deadline draws closer, the Philippines must choose between the Subterranean River National Park in Puerto Princesa and Tubbataha Reef in the Sulu Sea as its official entry in the online search for the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

A country must name just one nominee.

Palawan’s underground river remained at the top not only of the list of Philippine nominees but also of the overall global roster of at least 400 contenders as of Nov. 25, according to Organizer New7Wonders Foundation.

With Tubbataha Reef ranked No. 4, the Philippines has the biggest number of nominees in the Top 10. Chocolate Hills in Bohol is at No. 5 and Mayon Volcano in Albay at No. 10.

"This ranking can change at anytime, according to the voting," the N7W Foundation said.

"The top-ranked national nominee on Dec. 31 will represent the Philippines in the next phase of the New7Wonders of Nature campaign."

"Should Puerto Princesa be the natural monument of which the people are the most proud, which should embody the beauty of the country?" the group said. "The people of the Philippines must choose their favorite now."

Giving the Philippines tough competition is neighbor Vietnam, which has three nominees in the Top 10 — Ha Long Bay (2nd), Pho Nha - Ke Bang National Park (6th) and Fansipan Mountain (8th).

Other nominees in the Top 10 are Cox's Bazar Beach in Bangladesh (3rd); the Ganges River (7th) and Sundarbans Forest (9th), which are both shared by India and Bangladesh.

Natural wonders shared by more than one country, like the Ganges and Sundarbans, are exempt from the so-called national qualification requirement and will automatically continue into the next stage of the popularity competition.

Earlier this month, Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, who cited the N7W search as a big opportunity to pump up the volume of visitor arrivals, urged more Filipinos to cast their votes and visit the tourist havens to help them choose which one to champion.