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The
Chocolate Hills is giving Boholanos something to rally behind
in a time when there are a lot of things that divide them.
It is a shot at making it to the top seven in the new seven
wonders of the world organized by the New7Wonders
Foundation.
At
first glance, it may not mean much. For one, there is nothing
much to it except prestige and publicity. Skeptics may argue
that it won't bring food to the stomach to hungry Boholanos
severely affected by the rice shortage.
And
yet, it should be noted that there is more to life than just
food and clothing.
Just
because there are hungry and poor people does not mean we
will no longer care for distinctions and honor.
The
world-famous hills could end up in the top seven, a distinction
that would surely boost the stock of Bohol . Of course, it
goes to show that the recognition would take the tourism industry
to record highs. But that is not the main focus.
Tagbilaran
Mayor Dan Lim raised a point that about the significance of
the Chocolate Hills. He noted that while the other entries
were bays, rivers, mountains, volcanoes and diving spots,
the Chocolate Hills is "one of a kind".
Indeed,
it helps Boholanos realize that God trusts the province so
much to entrust such a rare beauty to them. In appreciation
of that trust therefore, they should not only protect and
preserve it but also give it the honor that it deserves.
If
Filipinos can rally behind Manny Pacquiao whenever he fights,
and especially when he is triumphant, there is no reason why
Boholanos, and Filipinos, should not stand up and be counted
for the Chocolate Hills in this quest.
It
does not entail much for those who want to cast their vote
for the Chocolate Hills. All they need to do is open their
email address and cast their votes.
To
vote on-line, internet users will visit new7wonders.com
and vote.
Bohol
made it to the international tourism map because of the Chocolate
Hills. It is only proper that Boholanos particularly those
who benefit from the tourism industry should pull out all
stops to ensure that this feat is accomplished.
In
a bygone era, Boholanos were the butt of jokes because of
their humility and simplicity. Today, there is nothing much
to remind us of that time.
The
present breed of Boholanos holds their heads up high given
the strides that the province has made in different fields.
Although there is still much to work for, the days when it
was considered a backwater are well behind us.
In
so many words, we now say we are proud to be Boholanos. One
way to do that is to unite to put Chocolate Hills into the
new seven wonders of the world.
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