PPUR inauguration set on April 21

QUEZON CITY, Mar. 23 (PIA) -- The Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) will be officially inaugurated as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature on April 21, 2012 at the One Esplanade in Pasay City.

During the event, President Benigno S. Aquino is expected to unveil a 100-kilo plaque from competition organizer New Seven Wonders of Nature Foundation, said Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn. The Foundation will also turnover a smaller plaque, which will be displayed at the underground river.

“This is for the Filipino people, not only for Puerto Princesa, that is why the bigger plaque will be displayed either at the Luneta or Malacañan Palace, or wherever the President wants to have it displayed,” Hagedorn said in Filipino.

Hagedorn said that unofficial figures show that the PPUR garnered 24 million text votes, while the highest number of votes that entries from other countries got, was only 5 million.

Bernard Weber, founder of the New Seven Wonders of Nature Foundation will formally introduce the New Seven Wonders of Nature and the Seven Wonders Hymn. The event will also be attended by representatives of six other countries that made it to the seven wonders of nature list.

Musicians and artists who have helped promote the PPUR will perform during the said event. Among these are Joey Ayala, Noel Cabangon, Grace Nono, Billy Crawford, Sarah Geronimo, La Diva and KC Concepcion.and other celebrities. A fifteen-minute fireworks display will highlight the festivities.

Hagedorn was guest at the Communication and News Exchange Forum (CNEX) sponsored by the Presidential Communications and Operations Office and PIA, and aired over PTV-4 and Radio ng Bayan nationwide. (PAE/PIA-Central)