Six MM cities make it to phase one of New7Wonder Cities search

By Jimmyley I. Guzman

Monday 20th of February 2012

QUEZON CITY, February 20 (PIA) -- As the whole country celebrates with the recent declaration of Puerto Princesa’s Underground River as one of the New7 Wonders of Nature, Filipinos will have something good to look forward to as 17 cities were recently included in Phase One of the New7Wonders of Cities.

The New7Wonder Cities search is the third campaign organized by New7Wonders, following the man-made New7Wonders of the World and the New7Wonders of Nature.

In Metro Manila, six cities nominated include Manila, Parañaque, Marikina, Makati, Quezon City, and Taguig.

Also nominated in the first phase of the prestigious search are Bacolod City, Cebu City, General Santos City, Vigan City, Legaspi City, Baguio City, Davao City, Iloilo City, Zamboanga City, Tagaytay City, and Puerto Princesa City, the home of the Underground River.

In a statement, Bernard Weber, founder and president of New7 Wonders said that the New7Wonders Cities search will become a catalyst for discussing everything from urban planning to metropolitan governance, tourism to architecture.

“The world is currently experiencing a mass urbanization. For the first time in history, a majority of the global population now lives in cities. From the great historical cities of Jerusalem, Venice and Kyoto, to the alpha world cities of London, Paris, New York, Mumbai and Shanghai, urban living has enriched human society,” said Weber.

In the nomination phase (January 7 – March 7, 2012) the global vote for New 7 Wonder Cities starts with more than 1200+nominees from 220+ countries around the world.

The Qualification Phase (March 7 –November 23, 2012) will have more than 300 cities to qualify for this phase (one per country plus the top 77 voted). While in the Shortlist Phase (November 23 –December 6, 2012), from the top 77 voted during the qualification phase, the New & Wonders Cities Panel of Experts advises on the selection of the 28 official finalist candidates.

The finalist phases which runs from December 7, 2012 – December 6, 2013), voting continues across three phases. The official New 7 Wonders Cities, voted by hundreds of millions of people from around the world will be revealed on December 7, 2013.

Meanwhile, Parañaque City Mayor Jun Bernabe is honored that Philippine cities continue to be recognized and gain renown in international circles.

“I am proud to be Filipino. I am happy my home city, Parañaque made it to the nomination phase,” Bernabe said.

He added that his fellow mayors worked hard to make our cities what they are today, healthy, peaceful and progressive, for the benefit of their constituents that they have sworn to serve and to contribute to the national effort to push the economy to greater heights.

Bernabe also urged Filipinos to support the nomination by voting for Philippine cities throughout the various phases of the search.

The city of Parañaque is a recipient of various local and international health awards to include, the 2011 International Awards for Liveable Cities (LivCom Awards) Bursary Award with £10,000 financial support and the 2010 DILG-UNDP Emerging Local C.H.A.M.P. (Catalytic HIV and AIDS Mitigation Programme) Award.

To vote, visit the New7Wonder Cities website at http://cities.n7w.com. The deadline for voting is on March 7, 2012. (http://cities.n7w.com/Parañaque-PIO/RJB/JEG-PIA-NCR)