Hagedorn optimistic underground river to be among 7 new wonders

With New7Wonders Founder Bernard Weber by his side, President Benigno Aquino votes via SMS in the New7Wonders of Nature. The voting closed Friday evening. Photo from the Facebook page of New7Wonders of Nature

MANILA, Philippines—Puerto Princesa Mayor Ed Hagedorn said he was confident that the Puerto Princesa Underground River would make it to the  7 New Wonders of the World.

Hagedorn estimated that the subterranean river has received at least 24 million SMS votes.

“That does not include the Internet votes. I think we will get 50 million votes, including the Internet votes,” he said.

Hagedorn noted that the votes cast via SMS could be the country’s edge. “The other countries do not have that,” he said.