8th Wonder of the World - in the Philippines!!

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is home to some of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world. Rising from the volcanic depths of the Sulu Sea in the western Philippines, these magnificent areas encompass an astonishing diversity of marine life. Tubbataha is the Samal word for “long reef exposed at low tide.” Samals are seafearing people of the Sulu Sea and are one of the few people who have accessed the Park in the early 1980’s.

This Park is an underwater sanctuary where nature can thrive. Tubbataha is the Philippines' only National Marine Park and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a place of global importance, being preserved for generations to come. From majestic whale sharks to elusive seahorses - Tubbataha supports an unparalleled variety of marine creatures. Colourful reef fish crowd corals growing in the shallows while sharks and manta rays haunt the steep drop offs to the open sea. A team of Philippine Rangers are stationed on the reef year-round and, from March until June, locals and foreigner divers visit Tubbataha to experience the wonders of this unique underwater world.

Earlier this month, the Manila City Council passed a resolution urging Filipinos to vote online for the Tubbataha Reef in Palawan as one of the "New Seven Wonders of Nature." According to the resolution, it is time for Filipinos all over the world to use their Internet skills to vote at www.new7wonders.com for the benefit of the country. It’s a known fact that Filipinos love to vote, that's why in beauty pageants like Miss Universe, the Ms. Philippines’ candidate usually win the Miss Photogenic award.

Two weeks ago, Tubbataha ranked 30th on the list of 77 nominees. Latest newspaper report this week says it's now on the 8th rank. The only other Philippine entry, the Chocolate Hills in Bohol, was slowly climbing like Tubbataha. Other top contenders like the Ha Long Bay, Phong Nha National Park and Fansipan Mountain in Vietnam were the top three vote-getters, followed by Cox’s Bazar Beach in Bangladesh, Sundarbans Forest, the Ganges River in Bangladesh and India, and Mount Everest in Nepal.

The contest was organized by the non-profit Seven Wonders Foundation that was established in 2001 and which conducted the “New Seven Wonders of the World” search that ended in 2007. “Making the final cut is not only prestigious but also a tremendous boost for the country in terms of tourism gains, and winning has remarkable educational value for highlighting the beauty of nature and the diversity of our natural environment,” said the resolution.

Voting for the “New Seven Wonders of Nature” will be open until December 31. Afterward, a panel of experts will trim the 77 nominees to 21 and the last round of voting will be held until the end of 2009. The top seven vote-getters will be declared the “New Seven Wonders of Nature” in 2010.

So whether you're Filipino or other nationalities who believe that this so-called nursery of marine sanctuary must be preserved and protected, make your vote counts in something that can help to promote the Tubbataha Reefs in the Philippines. Make your voice be heard by logging on to www.new7wonders.com