A source of Pride

I am a Filipino. I was born one and will die one regardless of where in the world I am. The Philippines has been known for many things both good and bad. Its 90 million perenially smiling, laid-back, friendly, service-oriented and welcoming populace, its overseas foreign workers (maids, nurses and engineers, technical talent, etc) who prop up the economy, the political and social strife plaguing it and its people, as the most hazardous place to be if you are a journalist, its dictators and corrupt government officials, poverty, its talented musicians, terrorist threats, the over 200 tropical storms it experiences each year, its horrendous traffic, Imelda's 3,000 pairs of shoes and mind-boggling collection of jewelry, having one of the most beautiful beaches in the world (Boracay)....and most importantly, the richness mother nature has bestowed upon its 7,107 islands.

Now as the voting for the New 7 Wonders of Nature continues where as of today, out of 77 contenders, the following places that have been nominated in the Philippines have achieved their current ranking (arranged according to category):

1. Chocolate Hills #4 (landscape)

2. Mayon Volcano #11 (Volcano)

3. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park #1 (Natural Reserve)

4. Tubbataha Reef #5 (Seascape)

All officially supported

Yes, we Filipinos are easily pleased. Amidst all our problems, we do count the small blessing we get out of life. Win or lose, that the beauty nature has so unsparingly shared with us is a source of pride as good as any that I can only hope we learn to nurture and earn to deserve.

Source: New 7 Wonders of the World