EDITORIAL - Text PPUR, or maybe don't

Today is the last day for text voting in the worldwide search for the New Seven Wonders of Nature. The initial tally shows that the Philippines’ last remaining candidate — the Puerto Princesa Underground River — is already a finalist within the top 10.

But since only seven will be chosen, those who still have not voted need to help make sure the Philippine entry makes it to the final magic circle. They can text “PPUR” to 2861 for all networks. Or they can vote online athttp://www.new7wonders.com .

The others in the Top 10 are the Dead Sea in the Middle East, the Grand Canyon of the US, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, Vietnam’s Halong Bay, Lebanon’s Jeita Grotto, South Korea’s Jeju Island, Indonesia’s Komodo Island, Sundarbans of Bangladesh/India, and Mt. Vesuvius of Italy.

Looking at the competition, it seems almost certain for the Puerto Princesa Underground River to make the cut. But nothing is truly certain, hence the aggressive appeal for votes by no less than even President Aquino and Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo. 

There are others, though, who do not feel exactly comfortable allowing votes to help determine the winners, especially from those who have not even seen or set foot on any of the places vying for inclusion as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

There is validity in their reservations. One would have thought that the determination of any one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature was to be a matter left to the experts and scientists to decide.

For there is a real danger that sheer numerical superiority can ensure the inclusion of an entry even if it may lack some of the qualities of a real natural wonder. And while the PPUR truly deserves its place in the Magic Seven, too many votes can make the honor hollow.

Indeed, listening to Robredo appeal for votes by courting the patriotism of Filipinos gives a surreal dimension to the contest, making some people wonder where patriotism fits in the picture.

The greatest feeling of national pride can only come if the Puerto Princesa Underground River makes it to the Magic Seven solely on the strength of its natural beauty and not because every Filipino with a cellphone or laptop responded to Robredo’s call for patriotism.