The Philippine Contributions to the Wonders of the World
The Philippine contributions to the wonders of the world was recently highlighted with the inclusion of the Puerto Princesa Underground River in the list of the New 7 Wonders of the World last year. It would be remembered that there have been previous listings of this nature including the “Seven Wonders of the Ancient World” and the more recent listings that included later man-made structures. There are even listings that are more specific such as “Seven Wonders of the Underwater World” and the “Seven Wonders of the Industrial World”.
A Look Back at the Wonders of the World
The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World was compiled by historian Herodotus and scholar Callimachus of Cyrene. Their list included the Great Pyramid of Giza, Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Statue of Zeus at Olympia, Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, Colossus of Rhodes, and Lighthouse of Alexandria. There are lists that included the Ishtar Gate instead of the Lighthouse of Alexandria. It is to be noted that among those included in the list, it is only the Great Pyramid of Giza that remains existing at this time.
Through time, a number of man-made structures have been recognized as wonders of the world as well. These include the likes of the Stonehenge, Colosseum, Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, Great Wall of China, Porcelain Tower of Nanjing, Hagia Sophia, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Taj Mahal, Cairo Citadel, Ely Cathedral, and the Cluny Abbey. Also, newer natural wonders were recognized such as the Grand Canyon, Great Barrier Reef, Harbor of Rio de Janeiro, Mount Everest, Aurora, Paricutin Volcano, and the Victoria Falls. The latest list of the New 7 Wonders of the World included winners as determined by a global poll. In this list, the Puerto Princesa Underground River or simply the Palawan Underground River was included.
Puerto Princesa Underground River
The Puerto Princesa Underground River is also included in the World Heritage Listand is designated as the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. The park was established as a National Park in 1971 primarily for the protection and conservation of old growth forest, existing wildlife, pristine beaches, unspoiled natural beauty, as well as the intricate cave systems. It has a limestone mountain landscape and an underground river that flows directly to the sea.
The presence of a 20 million year old Serenia fossil embedded in the walls of its caves as well as the unique cave formations are the main justifications for the site’s inclusion in the list. It is worth noting that it was discovered that that the underground river has a second floor and that there are small waterfalls inside the cave. The list was confirmed last January 28, 2012.
The Eighth Wonder of the World
Contrary to what is commonly believed by many Filipinos, the Banaue Rice Terraces has never been included in the list of Seven Wonders of the World. It is however long been seen as an “Eighth Wonder of the World” , a term used for sites considered comparable to sites included in the prestigious list. The terraces were carved into the mountains of Ifugao largely by hand by indigenous people of the area. Although considered a National Cultural Treasure, it has to be differentiated with the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras which is a designated World Heritage Site.
The Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras include the five clusters of Batad, Bangaan, Hungduan, Mayoyao Central and Nagacadan. Although the first two mentioned clusters are under the jurisdiction of Banaue, it is not referred to as Banaue Rice Terraces. Unfortunately, the Banaue Rice Terraces itself failed to make it to the standards provided by UNESCO in designating World Heritage Sites due to the presence of numerous modern structures. Still, it remains to be one of the most visited sites in the area.
My Say
There is no question that the Philippines is a beautiful country. It is our pride that the Puerto Princesa Underground River has been recognized as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, albeit criticisms of winning by the sheer texting power of the Filipinos. The fact that it is a designated World Heritage Site as well should give credence to its inclusion in the list. The failure on the other hand of our other pride -Banaue Rice Terraces to make it to the list should remind us more than ever of the need to balance progress and our natural wealth. The Philippine contributions to the wonders of the world should not be allowed to suffer the fate of the ancient wonders that can only be seen in pictures and the imagination.
Shie
I think our country is on the right track now in promoting tourism. I just wish the local government would always take measures to protect these natural resources and not abuse them just like what happened to Banaue Rice Terraces which had become a tourist trap.
Teresa Martinez
It is not yet too late, we can still save and restore Banaue Rice Terraces.
Gil Camporazo
Our country is so rich with natural resources, no wonder why that she could have a lot of natural wonders which are considered as the wonders of the world. I am very proud to live in this country for such wonders beyond compare.
Teresa Martinez
I am proud as well to be living in such a naturally gifted country.
Wanderer Juan
The Philippines has so much to offer in terms of natural wonders. I’ve been to some of those hidden gems and would like others to know about them.
Teresa Martinez
Yes, I’ve seen a lot of those places featured in your own blog.
boundfortwo
We’re so eager to explore this world renowned sites in our country, if we had just more time.
Teresa Martinez
Given more time and more free funds to spend, I’ll gladly spend it seeing beautiful places like these two.
Sarah
Although I haven’t been to the the underground river in Palawan yet, I wouldn’t doubt why it has been recognized as one of the New7Wonders. I could already tell in the pictures how beautiful it is, how much more when I’m up close and personal.
Teresa Martinez
My daughter sees it is indeed beautiful so I’m hoping to see it for myself.
JayL Aquino
I’ve never to Puerto Princesa UR. Its on my bucketlist! Hopefully this year 😉
Teresa Martinez
Mine as well.
markpogi
Those two places you’ve mention have been on my bucket list. I hope we could visit both of them sometime soon.
Teresa Martinez
The same with my family, hope we can all get to see our country’s own wonders.
Algene
I agree with you ate na our country is really beautiful. We don’t only have great natural resources and tourist destinations but also lovely people 🙂
Teresa Martinez
Yes, the friendly people are really part of the attraction of the Philippines to the world.
Jonas Labagala
The Underground River indeed deserved a place to be in the New 7 Wonders of the World. Just look at it, it’s amazing! 😀
Teresa Martinez
I have no doubts about that observation.
Francis Nuñez Balgos
Have you seen a rice terraces?
I can’t really care which one is it, as all of them are amazing.
I plan on visiting the one in Batad, the so called Amphitheater Rice terraces.
I one’s Ive seen were in Bomod-ok in Sagada.
These heritage treasure’s are all over the CAR.
For the Underground River, I’ve been there.
Though I can agree it is a wonder, the title can easily be contested.
Still, I am proud to have seen it with my eyes.
Teresa Martinez
Unfortunately,I still haven’t but I am continuously hoping that I will have my chance. The rice terraces as well as the underground river are both worthy to be seen.
Genzel
I’m so happy that I was able to visit Underground River last year in Puerto. I hope I can visit Banaue Rice Terraces too in the future. Our people really need to be cautious of their actions and how it affects our surroundings.
Teresa Martinez
I believe it is part of our responsibility to take care of our natural resources.
Franc Ramon
We are really so rich and blessed with Natural attractions and let’s promote these places and take time to appreciate them too.
Teresa Martinez
You are quite right.
Quimz
I am glad that I was able to see and be amazed by the Underground river in Palawan. How I wish I could do the same for the Banaue Rice Terraces someday and I really hope that the government (local/national) and the people in Banaue can rehabilitate the rice terraces.
Teresa Martinez
You are fortunate you have seen it. I hope something can still be done to preserve and rehabilitate Banaue Rice Terraces.
papaleng
No doubt the PRUR deserves to be named one of the new 7 wonders of the world. If only, the Banaue Rice Terraces has been properly maintained, baka naisali pa. Asar kasi yung Jollibee fixture doon.
Ria C
There is so much that the Philippines can be proud of. We can include places like the Chocolate Hills in Bohol and the almost perfect cone of Mt. Mayon. I remember when I was in elementary during the Marcos regime, these places were highly publicized to encourage tourism.
Teresa Martinez
There are actually a lot more sites in the Philippines we can all be proud of and the two you mentioned are actually worth seeing.
Tingting R.
Texting or not – the Philippines is still a very scenic country. A lot of foreigners love to visit our country, so as Filipinos, let us just support it and no more digging of negative vibes.
CherrySC
They are on the top of my must-visit list in our beloved and beautiful home country. Such wonders are worth seeing with my own naked eyes. 😉
Teresa Martinez
I couldn’t agree more.
Travelentz
I agree with you,Philippines is a beautiful country and Rice terraces is superb, wish to see in person someday.
Teresa Martinez
The Philippines has the advantage of natural beauty which the people should learn to better take care of.
Marianne
It’s good to know that the Palawan Underground River is included in the 7 Wonder of the World. I believe there are lots of wonderful places in the Philippines that if not qualified to be listed in the wonders of the world, those places are at least worth to be visited.
Teresa Martinez
I’m sure there are many other places in our country worthy to be included in the list.
betchai
I really wanted to explore the underground river in my last visit, however, when I booked August for December, I was told online that my reservations are too early, I emailed the site, but I did not get any response. Then, I booked again October and November for December, but was told no more accommodations. I just wish we have an easier navigation for visitors to plan trips online for my experience having to come back again and again to book was very stressful. However, it does not stop me from planning for a trip there should I come and visit family again.
Teresa Martinez
I hope your concern will be given attention. Maybe the next time you come around, you will be able to visit the place.
Chubskulit Rose
I have never been to these two beautiful places, I hope I could someday.
Teresa Martinez
There are indeed two places worth seeing in our lifetime.