Bernard Joseph Esposo Guerrero wrote this article on Puerto Princesa and its limited labelling as one of the New 7 Natural Wonders:
https://businessmirror.com.ph/puerto-princesa-underground-river-a-call-for-new-brandi ng-and-prestige/

And he got this in reply:
https://businessmirror.com.ph/our-view-of-puerto-princesa-underground-river-a-peoples -wonder-not-an-elitist-reserve/

Have you read this -
http://www.goseewrite.com/2011/11/new-7-wonders-world-scam-behind-sham/
Interesting info on the "economics" of the whole thing!! The "comments" add some extra info and links too.
I have just watched a video of Jean Paul de la Fuente and i can't say i warmed to him in any way at all -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rTpz722ZFU
His job title says a lot about the whole thing - "Head of Value Development. Director, New7Wonders Foundation"

Mind you - UNESCO is an easy target - but it is all we have got which isn't going to turn out like New7Wonders!
I have just read the views of the new ICCROM guy - plenty to criticise there too!!

I would also suggest that we don't give this money-making project any further credibility and remove the 2 "Connections" we have which relate to it.
They are worthless!
Viz
New 7 Wonders of the World
New 7 Wonders of Nature

I spent 15 years of my career working in opinion polling, and the idea that one would base anything off of an opt-in internet/phone poll like that is just comical. It's completely inaccurate, and allows unintentionally or otherwise for massive manipulation of the results.

And I'd agree that the Underground River isn't even especially impressive.

It's impressive but as tourist you don't see any special part of it. I almost regret spending the entire day getting there only to sit on a boat and see the average rock formations they say are shaped like whatnot. I thus find it curious why anyone would vote for it unless you haven't seen anything else outside your country. The cave systems in Mulu are much more impressive for tourists. But I'm more shocked that the director of an organization would write something that aggressive in the open. Shows he's not very good at politics else he would be in the UN ;)

Hi, the ongoing discussion is reminiscent of the observation made by Solivagant some post ago that outstanding universal values don't necessarily come in that obvious and discernable to tourists, and that what is unique does not always mean that it should be beautiful. Having seen the Underground River NP beyond the 1.2km boat ride -- I was part of the team that helped the city create an online site for it and, believe me, I tried my best highlighting its distinguishing features just to bring the online discourse to a better light-- I certainly disagree that the NP ranks among those least interesting sites. It still can be argued why it can be a "wonder" (as a general term). I was most eager to get his reply after notifying the editor that he wished to comment back, but it turned out to be very disappointing, as you might have noticed. It appears that he himself does not know much what heritage management is and how it manifests on the ground. Vigan, however, is more enlightened. They are now alarmed that the city is more known now as a 7WonderCity than a UNESCO site. At least they have that consciousness, which is commendable.

PS: the editor could not make her mind if she would really publish de la Fuente's reply given the off tangent nature of his article vis. mine, but he pressured them and harassed them too to get in printed on the shee

Hi Bernard, good to hear from you.
Yes I wouldn't have thought that Fuente did himself any good with his reply -but I notice that neither your article nor his have attracted a single comment! Out of interest -why did you choose Business Mirror to write about this subject. Does its readership cover the sort of people you wanted to target? And who are they - presumably not "Heritage Professionals" but rather those who make the decisions on how to promote sights?

Could Fuente really have thought that your article in the Business Mirror was likely to threaten his "nice scheme" and threaten future "Value Development"?? Or is he someone who just doesn't like any criticism? A scheme like his based on social media and nationalism is going to be very hard to bring down unless the decision makers who sign up their locations in the first place can be persuaded not to.

Hi, there! BusinessMirror is a daily in the Philippines, in the top 5. While their new media is not their strength --especially here where mainstream online media is being attacked by so many blogs purveying fake news-- they have an extensive print readership in the Philippines, especially in Manila. So, yes, both the articles also appeared in print. But, your observation hits at something true to and frustrating about the Philippines -- conservation and heritage management are extremely special interests. People here like to hear how cool the place is, but are not concerned how it is faring. If my article was the normal travel article, which I also make for BM and other news outfits, I believe it would have reached more online readers. But, I guess, the serious tones of both were limiting their reach online. Still, it was fairly well circulated among local heritage practitioners here. The mayor of Vigan read the article too and that was when he told me their observation that people don't know anything anymore about the city as a WHS, only as a New7Wonder, and that they, likewise, feel is concerning not only as regards to branding but also to the identity they want for themselves as a heritage town/city.

I was really surprised that Fuente emailed to make a reply after 2 days when my article was released. His reply went out in print and online a week later. One could easily gather, however, that he is very defensive and unresponsive.

This is one of the few times I am super happy with a local government.

https://www.bworldonline.com/davao-oriental-says-no-to-mineral-reservation-near-unesco-heritage-site/

Callao Cave, where the new human species was found is I believe, part of the Paleolithic Archeological Sites in Cagayan Valley TWHS!

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-47873072

Yes, it is part of the nominated property. But it seems to be not moving forward? Cagayan region has 5 tentative sites all in all.

Yeah, nothing is really happening... I seriously want that site + Batanes be inscribed.

Glad to see an update about the nomination for inscription of Mount Mantalingahan Protected Landscape.

https://www.rappler.com/science-nature/environment/233850-unesco-world-heritage-site-mount-mantalingahan-protected-landscape-palawan

Batanes Protected landscapes and seascapes (Philippines)

Challenging situation for Filipino conservationist experts. Past earthquakes have heavily damaged stone sites in the Batanes island group, lack of funds from the government, and people involved in the nomination have all passed away.

Considering the nomination was referred in 2007, one wonders if it had been inscribed how this all would have played out?

https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/342203/quakes-may-have-dented-batanes-campaign-for-unesco-world-heritage-listing/