A day before the voting ended yesterday night, the Philippine government mounted a “last ditch” effort through the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) by ordering all local government officials from governors down to barangay captains to urge Filipinos around the country to cast their vote for the underground river.

Agencies under the DILG, including the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, were also ordered to urge their members and linked groups to vote for the underground river.

The other six New 7 Wonders of Nature, based on provisional results, were South America’s Amazon River, Vietnman’s Halong Bay, Argentina’s Iguazu Fallas, South Korea’s Jeju Island, Indonesia’s Komodo Island and South Africa’s Table Mountain.

The New7Wondres Foundation, meanwhile, clarified that “it is possible that there will be changes between the above provisional winners and the eventual finally confirmed winners.”

It said that the list released early today was “in alphabetical order” and not in any position of ranking.

The foundation said that the voting calculation is now being checked, validated and independently verified. The official New 7 Wonders of Nature will be announced early 2012, it added.

“The results will now be checked, validated and independently verified. Once the voting validation process is completed, in early 2012, New7Wonders will then work with the confirmed winners to organise the Official Inauguration events,” Bernard Weber, the foundation’s founder and president, said as he announced the provisional winners.

Weber announced that “one or more” may be erased from the list of the provisional winners.

“It may happen that one or more of the provisional winners announced today will not be confirmed during the validation process, New7Wonders will issue a media update should this happen,” he said.

Weber also commended the other participants and the people who joined the voting for the search for the new seven wonders of the world.

“I would like to thank the many champions, citizens, voluntary organisations, public bodies and governments that have helped promote the New7Wonders of Nature campaign over the past four years, starting with over 440 locations from over 220 countries and all the way to the 28 Finalist candidates from whom the New7Wonders of Nature have been chosen,” he said.

The foundation said that more than a million cast their vote since the start of the search. From 440 contenders, the list was trimmed to 220 and then to a shortlist of 77.

From 77, the number of contenders was trimmed further down to 28 and finally the seven provisional winners.

The votes were cast through text, internet and by telephone. — Angelo L. Gutierrez – The Pinoy

After crossing the garden, you enter a large building with an impressive nipa ceiling that houses the lobby and the restaurant. Constructed with a high bamboo framework, the building opens onto the swimming pool, and further on, to the sea. To the right of the reception area, a sandy track lined with large clay jars, is shaded by a magnificent arbor of fuchsia bougainvillea up to the bungalows.

The nipa-roofed bungalows lie side-by-side, facing the beach. Each one has three or four rooms. Since they were renovated, they have unfortunately lost their rusticity, the white walls, marble floors and modern beige furniture giving them a rather cold look. The only local material is the wooven nipa ceiling. Nevertheless, the rooms are comfortable and bright due to the large bay windows. Each room has its own private terrace, separated from that of its neighbor by a partition. You can get a glimpse of the sea through the palm trees.

The main swimming pool with a jacuzzi in the middle of a tiled terrace facing the sea is a very pleasant area. Not far from here is the beach with its nipa parasols, deck chairs and hammocks where you can lie in complete tranquility.

A lot of activities are proposed by the Aqua Sports Club, one of which is diving. Arco Point, a dive site, and the coral reef of Alona are less than 10 minutes away by banca. You can also rent a taxi for the day with a driver-cum-guide to visit the many interesting spots of Bohol.

How to get there

By air, land, sea and land, 75-minute daily flights on PAL, Air Philippines or Cebu Pacific from Manila to Cebu, 20 minutes by car from Cebu Mactan Airport to the SuperCat Terminal. From Cebu to Tagbilaran, 1.5 hours by SuperCat Ferry, 30 minutes by car from Tagbilaran pier to the resort.

The Looc Garden Beach Resort exists since 1987. But the Resort, as you will see it in the following pictures, is not older than approximately two years. The Resort consists of four houses and offers accommodations for about 25 persons.

The Mahayahay Beach is a nice sand beach and well known for its beauty in whole Cebu. During north monsoon season (October to May) there is long headland and the wind comes from north-east. The water at the south beach is very calm during that time. The rainy season/south monsoon (June to September) is a stormy time. Strong wind and big waves attract many people from all over the Philippines for wave surfing, windsurfing and especially skimboarding.

Activities

Skimboarding is a sport similar to surfing which takes place near the shore. When we see a wave we run towards it with our skimboard still in hand. Upon reaching the wet sand we drop the board and jump onto it as quickly as possible. Once on the board, we must remain as stable as possible and prepare to make the transition to the ocean.

Location

Argao is approx. 67 kilometers south from Cebu City. It takes you about one and a half hour by car to reach Argao from Cebu City.

Contact Information:

Looc Garden Beach Resort
Looc Argao, Cebu, Philippines
Tel: +63 32 485 9516
Mobile: +63 916 3220589
Email: joymaglanque@yahoo.com
Web: www.mahayahay-argao.ch.vu

Club Paradise, accredited by the Philippines’ Department of Tourism, is a 2-time winner of the Kalakbay Awards Resort of the Year in the “AA” Category. Realizing that nature is it’s greatest asset, much effort has been committed by EPRI towards maintaining balance between the island’s ecological integrity and tourism operation and development.

Getting there:

A mere 60 minutes by plane southwest from Manila, and another 60 minutes ride by land and by sea is the 19-hectare island of Dimakya, home to Club Paradise. This island resort, blessed with 700 meters stretch of sun kissed talcum soft white beach and turqoise waters, serves as a sanctuary to a wide array of unique flora and fauna.

Accommodation:

Guest rooms are divided into 3 phases, namely: Sunrise Beach, Sunset Beach and Island View Rooms. The architecture of the phases 1 and 2 is a modern version of the Filipino hut or (bahay kubo). Phase 3 or the Island View rooms – where apartment-type rooms and 4 Junior Suites are situated. The structure is built on a hillside fronting the island’s natural lagoon. All units are provided with amenities designed for convenience and comfort.

Resources:

The Club Paradise Island Spa takes advantage of the amazing nature of its environment to render the revitalization one seeks. Set amidst the beautiful island paradise of Dimakya Island, Northern Palawan. home of Club Paradise Resort, the Island Spa is situated in a sanctuary where the music of the waves, the sounds of nature, the burning incense and essential oils, all induce a feeling of serenity and holistic pleasure.

The products used are organic and proudly Filipino made, distinctly mixed and blended into unique scents and remedies. A signature product is the Island Spa Virgin Coconut Oil, highly recommended for deeply relaxing body treatments. Virgin Coconut Oil is known for its nutrients and lauric acid that supports the body’s normal functional response to bacteria and viruses. Lauric acid is also found in human mother’s milk. It is excellent for skin care, hair treatment, and supports normal digestion.

Contact Information:

Dimakya Island, Coron, Palawan
Email: clubpara@info.com.ph
+632 838-4956 to 60
Photos Courtesy of Club Paradise

More than just a beach resort, Amanpulo (peaceful island) is set on a coralline island all its own. Pamalican floats in the brilliant-blue waters of the Sulu Sea. Seven square kilometers of reef rim the island. Beyond are sandbanks and a channel, where whales, dolphins and sea cows have been known to stray. At its widest point, the 5.5-kilometer island of Pamalican is only 500 meters across. Located among the Quiniluban group of the Cuyo Islands, Pamalican is one of nearly 1,800 islands in the province of Palawan. The largest province in the Philippines, Palawan is about 600 kilometers south and southwest of Manila.

Amanpulo’s light-filled Clubhouse overlooks the swimming pool and encompasses the Restaurant, the Lobby Bar and Terrace, the Boutique and Galleries and the Library . The resort lounge and most of its public facilities are located there. The Restaurant , located in a wing at one end of the Clubhouse, spills out onto a terrace, with views to Manamoc Island across the channel. There’s a regular Asian barbecue held at the Picnic Grove . Enjoy the views from the Clubhouse Bar or take your drinks outside onto the terrace.

Amanpulo’s 30-meter swimming pool is bordered by two trellises of bougainvillea. Large, open-air salas are arranged on the expansive green behind the pool. The salas come with larger-than-king-size mattresses for poolside lounging. A garden walkway leads down from the pool to the sand beach and Amanpulo’s own Beach Club . Half-a-dozen sand-white mattresses with matching pillows are spread out on the deck, facing the sea. Rattan stools line the Beach Club, and beach umbrellas set in stone tables are coupled with reclining beach chairs. The Beach Club serves lunch, snacks and refreshments.

Contact Information:

Contact Person: Fhem or Reyn
Telephone no: (+63-32) 254-9665, (+63-32) 412-7321
Fax Cebu: (+63-32) 412-7321, Fax Manila: (+63-2) 857-2013
Fax USA: (+1) (484) 450-2664

Camiguin is the smallest province in Northern Mindanao, with its land area pegged at 29,187 hectares. It is composed of five towns, namely, Mambajao – the capital town, Mahinog, Guinsiliban, Sagay and Catarman. The island plays host to seven volcanoes, including the still-active Mount Hibok-Hibok. According to the National Statistics Office, Camiguin has a total population of 74,232 persons, making the province the second smallest in the Philippines in terms of population.

Among the Province’s major products are coconut, cassava, banana, camote, palay, corn, fruits, coffee and vegetables. Camiguin’s volcanic soil has proved to be a fertile ground for planting various crops. At present, the Provincial government is looking into an agricultural program that would increase the cultivation of fruit trees and vegetables in Camiguin. The Province is also among the best abaca fiber producers in the country. Camiguin is proud of its natural resources, which include sulfur deposits, geothermal energy, agricultural lands and fishing grounds.

The Camiguin culture is a mixture of both Boholano and Cebuano culture. It is very colorful and creative. The people are deeply religious, hospitable and friendly. Cebuano is the major dialect in the Province. However, in the towns of Sagay and Guinsiliban, where most of the indigenous tribes reside, the Kinamiguin dialect is still spoken. Kinamiguin is derived from the Manobo dialect with some mixture of Boholano.