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

Rates:

* Single -  Php 2,500
* Twin / Double / Triple -  Php 2,250 per person

Amenities:

* Restaurant
* Bar
* Dive shop
* souvenir shop
* cottages
* swimming pool
* Sundeck
* Parking lot
* private lockers

Punta Isla offers the lake for a day tour. It is also a home of tilapias, where Lake Sebu is famous for. Of course, it is only in Lake Sebu wherein you can taste a variety of tilapia delicacies from kinilaw, sinugbang tilapia, spicy fillet, tilapora and a lot more.

Also, when taking your meals, you either eat in the floating restaurant or in the hilltop. A floating restaurant is a nice option during lunch, plus there are young Tibolis performing their different dance steps. The restaurant in the hilltop is a nice spot to see the panoramic of the Lake Sebu and a lot of tilapia breeding nets. Tourists really love the place because of its peaceful ambience and relaxation effect.

This lake resort has rooms and cottages good for couples, families and groups. The basic amenities are available in every room. There is also a souvenier shop with native handicraft products display for a very reasonable price. Although the facilities are not that world-class, but in terms of hospitality, you’ll never get wrong when picking this resort.

Rates:

* Boating Trip (Around the Lake)Good for 15 Persons – 400.00 Php
* Cottage Fee Lakeside (Maximum of 10 – 12 Persons) – 100.00 Php
* Floating Restaurant – 150.00Php / Table
* Floating Restaurant Video-K – 5.00 Php for 2 songs
* Entrance Fee – 5.00 Php
* Meals (good for 4 persons) – 150.00 – 200.00 Php

ROOM RATE / PAX

VIP Room SingleBed w/ Bath,CR and TV
750.00 Php
Good for 2 Person

Family Room TwinBed w/Bath,CR and TV
850.00 Php
Good for 4 Person

Family Room TwinBed w/Bath,CR and TV
950.00Php
Good for 8 Person

Family Room Dormitory Type
500.00 Php
Good for4 Person

Amenties & Services:

* Tribal Native Products
* Floating Restaurant
* Videoke
* Kiddie Pool
* Conference Halls
* Gono Magud
* Zipline

If there’s one thing we take pride in, it’s the beaches of Antulang. White and pristine against the beckoning turquoise-blue seas, few guests have resisted its allure. Take a walk down a winding staircase from your cottage on the cliff and stroll along the shell-cluttered, secluded beach as you welcome the sunrise. And keep an eye on the water, you just might see a jumping sailfish or a glimpse of a resident spinner dolphin!

Antulang is home to 17 documented dive sites. Manta rays, hawksbill turtles, groupers and a multitude of marine life await the most discriminating diver. Our night dives come highly recommended–guests swear it’s like diving in your very own private aquarium! And if snorkeling is more up your alley, Antulang’s shallow corals are home to colorful clownfish, butterfly fish, eels and the occasional octopus.

While you wander around the resort, you may notice some fruit-bearing trees which are endemic to the area, so by all means, indulge and help yourself to some manzanitas (bears fruit all-year round–try to get some ahead of the fruit bats and birds), sereguelas (abundant in April and May) bayabas (wild guavas, available most of the year) and wild passion fruit; just stay away from the fruits of the noni tree, which are not edible, and the fruits of the ubiquitous tigpud trees, which is strictly for the birds!

And speaking of birds, expect to listen in on their chirping, especially in the early mornings. Meanwhile, please don’t be surprised to spot the occasional monitor lizard (locally called “halo”), hermit crabs (“umang”), sentinel crabs (“kagang”) and geckos (“tuko”) who, like you are also out to enjoy themselves in their natural habitat.

Other than diving and snorkeling, kayaking, horseback riding and rappelling are offered along with scheduled cruises to famed Apo Island and nearby Tambobo Bay. An added highlight for our guests: Although sunrise and sunset are both visible from the resort, at certain times of the year one can marvel at Antulang’s sunset and the simultaneous rising of a full moon.

Scuba diving is all about that elusive, natural high of an adrenaline rush, that blend of exhilaration and anticipation that comes with every dive…So no matter how you define diving—sport, hobby, profession, a spiritual experience—at Antulang you’ll discover that first and foremost, diving is all about having fun, respect for nature and the realization that we are indeed very privileged underwater guests who need to be mindful of our safety and environment.

Antulang is home to numerous lush, spectacular dive sites, most of which are a 5-minute boat ride away, with some barely a few meters from our shores. Guaranteed to captivate both novice and seasoned divers, we think one Australian PADI dive instructor put it best: “Unlike other dive spots where you expect to see one or two specific species of fish or coral, at Antulang you are at once immersed in a smorgasbord of marine life! There’s so much variety that every dive goes beyond your expectations.”

How to get there:

FROM MANILA:
4 daily flights to Dumaguete City Airport. Travel time: 1 hour. Book with Air Philippines or Cebu Pacific Air.

FROM CEBU:
2 daily trips to Dumaguete City Seaport via fast ferries. Travel time: 3 1/2 hours.

The Great Barrier Reef is located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Northeast Australia. It stretches for approximately 2500km, and there are approximately 900 islands as part of the Great Barrier Reef! This makes it one of the most spectacular natural wonders located anywhere in the world! As the name shows it is a reef, a coral reef to be precise. This makes it one of the largest living organisms in the world. The Great Barrier Reef is not only a giant living organism; it houses millions of other sea creatures as well. As mentioned before there are nearly 900 islands, most of them are uninhabitable, where as others have resorts built on them, which is one of the best ways to enjoy the sights of this natural wonder. Some of the islands are covered by tropical forests.

As far as traveling to this magnificent area, the nearest airport is located at Cairns. From here there are plenty of taxis available to take you to the sea. At sea, there are boats available for hire to take a close look at the reefs. The mainland resorts are located on the coast near Cairns. Once you reach this place there are two different ways you can enjoy the reefs. That would be scuba diving and taking a ride on a glass bottom boat. Scuba diving is by far the most popular pastime at the Great Barrier Reef. After all, what better way is there to and enjoy this natural wonder.

Reaching the Great Barrier Reef from the Philippines is easy. There are many direct flights from Philippines to Australia. The flight time between Melbourne and Manila is approximately eight hours. From Melbourne, there are many connecting flights available to Cairns. Finding cheap flights is usually not a problem, which makes your next vacation abroad a realistic option.

Here are some interesting facts on Great Barrier Reef

Infographic produced by Paradise Bay Whitsunday Resort

Benthel Resort Hotel Corp. is a Filipino owned company which owns, operates, and markets its two resort-hotel destinations in Cebu, Philippines – Cordova Reef Village Resort and Island and Sun Beach Resort.

The market niche that the company was created for is that exclusive segment of travelers who recognize quality and require luxurious accommodations in a tranquil, natural environment.

In its desire to provide the ultimate guest experience, the company continuously upgrades and introduces new facilities, which have been meticulously designed, as they are integral components of the overall development plan.

Individually, Benthel Resort Hotel properties are unique on their own. However, both hotels evidently share a distinct character that is expressed through its special attention to quality, excellent food and wine, elegant and luxurious accommodations, personalized service, preservation of the natural environment, and an atmosphere of absolute privacy and exclusivity.

The management team of the hotel is a collaboration of minds of professional individuals who come from highly esteemed hotel and resort establishments which have put the Philippines back in the world map of tourism. It is only inevitable therefore, that the bringing together of these competent individuals guarantee excellence in service and hotel operational standards.

Marketing efforts are primarily geared towards the individual travelers from three major areas — Domestic & Regional, Western, European and Asian. Facilitating this objective is the company’s affiliation with select Travel Professionals and membership in major Travel and Tourism Organizations both in the local and international front.

Cordova Reef Village Resort has an excellent location beside the beach and is ideal for relaxing or beach activities. The hotel provides guests with a variety of outdoor activities, particularly water sports such as snorkeling, jet skiing, kayaking, parasailing, fishing, and open water scuba diving certification.

Golfing can also be arranged for guests at a nearby golf course. The hotel can assist guests with airline reservations or reconfirmation, foreign exchange, laundry and dry cleaning, transportation, and medical assistance. The hotel also has massage and aromatherapy services, and life guards overseeing swimmers at the beach and the free form swimming pool.

Contact Information:

Cordova, Mactan, Cebu Philippines
Location: Southeastern most tip of Mactan Island
Tel #: (6332) 2381878 / 2363343 / 2363344 / 4968079
Telefax #: (6332) 4968050
Mobile # 639228570236 / 639228570238
Email: benthelresorts@globelines.com.ph, reservations@cordovareef.com, cordovasales@cordovareef.com

One of the Philippine’s premiere tourist destinations, Honda Bay, Palawan island is also known as the “The Last Frontier”. It is host to several of the most exclusive resorts in the country. With its white sand beaches, magnificent landscape, fishing villages and rainforests, it is a favorable destination of adventurers and nature lovers. The province has several sites that attract divers from various parts of the world. In the city center of Puerto Princesa, hall of fame awardee for the cleanest and greenest city in the country, several tourist spots can be seen in a one day tour. This would include Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm, the world’s largest prison “without bars”, and the Kamarikutan Gallery. The city’s best offering is the St. Paul Subterranean National Park that is famed for its 8.2 kilometer log river, said to be the longest of its kind in the world.

Regardless of its dazzling natural beauty, Palawan’s 1,770 islands has been one of the least developed holiday destinations in Southeast Asia aside from the well-known El Nido Beach Resorts. So far the lack of commercialism has made Palawan very special, but it is becoming more popular mostly for international divers, as well as adventurers.

The perfect place for sun questers and loves snorkel diving is Honda Bay. HONDA BAY is one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines and the best place around. It has been known to be the best dive spots in the Philippines.

Honda Bay is comprised of several islets with shallow reefs bordering wonderful beaches which have become the much loved swimming, snorkeling, and diving destinations of local residents and tourists. The best recognized islands of Honda Bay are Cowrie and Bat named because of the large fruit bats coming out of their holes at sundown for their evening feed. Another is Snake island, of curvaceous tongue shape like a snake and with a white sand beach noted for large and lovely shells. Other interesting islands are Canon, Pandan, Starfish, Lu-Ii Island (derived from the word “”lulubog-lilitaw””, meaning floating and sinking island, is visible only during low tide), Señorita Island (the breeding site of lapu-lapu fish), and Meara Marina. Starfish Island, with coral reefs breaking crystal clear water onto empty, fine white sand beaches and clear water that teems with starfish. Arreceffi Island contains the luxury Dos Palmas Beach Resort, while lesser accommodation can be found on other islands, or stay at Puerto Princesa Beach resort and take a half hour boat trip to your much loved deserted beach. Lodging facilities are available for overnight stays in the islands of Meara Marina and Starfish (Sandbar Resort).

Palawan also offers the Philippines’ best dive spot at the Tubbataha Reef Marine Park, a World inheritance Site. Dive boats operate from March to May and can be arranged at Puerto Princesa, Palawan’s capital. The city also offers all kinds of jungle eco-hikes and an 8.2 km underground river trip. Best is between December to May. A possible heavy rain is between June to November, but not necessarily.

Going to Honda Bay Island

The bay is situated in Sta. Lourdes Tagbanua, Puerto Princesa City. About 12 kilometers east of Puerto Princesa City is Sta. Lourdes wharf where pump boats could be hired to take tourists to the island of their choice. Some islands require an entrance fee; others are privately owned, thus, authorization from the owners is required. Sta. Lourdes wharf is 25 minutes away by hired tricycle or jeepney. A pump boat ride from the wharf to the different islands is from 15 to 50 minutes.

The fastest way to reach Honda Bay is via Barrio Tagburos is a mercury slag heap; one should not eat fish there. A dozen small islets with wonderful beaches and good sites for diving lie along the bay. Boats to the islands can be rented in Tagburos.

Just thirty minutes north of the City proper, hop into a boat and Go Island hopping at Honda Bay. Take your pick from dozens of white sands beaches. Pull on your mask and snorkel and glance into the rich marine life underwater. Dive sites abound here, as the entire area is studded with patches of coral and sand. Submerged reefs may be found close to the surface down to 24 meters, small reef fish and aquarium fish are found here. The area may soon be transformed into a marine life park and dive camp.

Why not plan a vacation to the Philippines, a country full of adventure, culture and beauty for a great price? There are many great airfare deals from Australia and back to take advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Philippines. Travel to the Philippines and surrounding areas is a perfect way to learn about the culture and customs in this part of the world.

Natural Beauty and Climate

The Philippines, a beautiful country in Southeast Asia, is a wonderful place to visit. Surrounded by Taiwan to the north, Vietnam to the west, and the nearby islands of Borneo and Indonesia, the cultural history of the region is certainly worth noting. Different cultures and customs are present throughout the islands with influences of ancient Hindu, Islamic and Chinese people that once settled in the region. The tropical climate offers warm days and nights with sporadic rainfall and lush greenery everywhere. The rainforests are home to many species of plants, animals, sea creatures and over 150 species of birds that do not exist anywhere else. The Philippines have one of the longest coastlines in the world that accounts for over 2000 species of fish and 500 species of coral. The second-largest coral reef in the world, the Apo Reef, is found here where surrounding waters contain large quantities of pearls.

Culture and Cosmopolitan Cities

In addition to the natural beauty contained in the Philippines, the capital city of Manila and other cities boast major exports including clothing, coconut oil and fruits, electronic products and petroleum. Trade with the US, Japan and China is huge making up a large portion of export business that supports the economy. Manila is home to 20 million people, and offers cosmopolitan services such as buses, taxis, motorized tricycles and light rail systems. City regions abound with interesting architecture of Spanish legacy as well as contemporary structures that dot the skyline. There are festivals throughout the year, museums steeped in cultural history, theatres for entertainment, and restaurants and clubs with exciting nightlife.

Cuisine

Philippine cuisine is a rich history of Spanish, Asian, Chinese and American cultures adapted to local taste. Although Philippine cuisine is popular in many countries, local cuisine is prepared from local plants, fruits, vegetables and fish abundant to the region. Flavorful fish dishes combined with sauces, mangoes, coconuts and other fruits are popular. Rice is a staple food and it’s used for many dishes including stews and soups, salads and side dishes. The halo-halo, a popular dessert made with milk, ice, ice cream and fruits, is just one of many delicious sweet treats for a sweet tooth.

The culture, climate, beauty and cuisine are just some of the reasons to visit the Philippines. A trip to the Philippines would certainly offer anyone adventure and scenic pleasures, and there are many cheap ways to get there. Companies have travel deals with cheap airfare from Australia to the Philippines and back throughout the year.

Cheap Airfare Deals to the Philippines from Australia: (Check travel dates for availability and package prices)

* Melbourne to Manila

Escape Travel.com fr $676 per person (incl. taxes & fees)

* Sydney to Manila

Flight Centre.com fr $848 per person (incl. taxes & fees)
Escape Travel.com fr $848 per person (incl. taxes & fees)

Cheap Flights from other cities: Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Darwin, Gold Coast, Hobart, Kalgoorlie, Perth, Townsville, are also available through the above sites at various prices and times throughout the year. In addition to the above packages, additional sites offer great travel package deals from Australia to the Philippines and back:

• www.flightcentre.com.au

• www.escapetravel.com.au

• www.studentfligts.com.au