Ilocanos toasts Vigan’s inclusion to ‘New7Wonders Cities of the World’

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff reporter

Laoag City—Ilocanos are still in jubilant mood as they take pride in living in a bustling city now hailed as one of the “New7Wonders Cities of the World.”

Residents in nearby Vigan City in Ilocos Sur even stage a prayer vigil on Dec. 7 to campaign for the final round, enjoining family friends here and abroad to participate in international telephone voting line and via short messaging system (SMS).

In an awarding ceremony held in Dubai on Dec. 7, the historic City of Vigan in Ilocos Sur province claimed its place among new wonder cities of the world along with Beirut in Lebanon, Doha in Qatar, Durban in South Africa, Havana in Cuba, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, and La Paz in Bolivia.

Vigan City mayor Eva Marie Medina has expressed her gratitude to Filipinos all over the world for supporting the city’s bid to be included in the New7Wonder Cities of the World.

Vigan is the country’s oldest surviving Spanish colonial city that dates back to the 16^th century. Tourists visit this heritage site known for its cobbled streets, old houses and horse-drawn carriages.

Vigan was named as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization in 1999 for being the “best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia.”

“It feels great. I voted for Vigan. I’m proud of my roots,” said Rommel dela Cruz, a college student in Vigan City.

“We congratulate each of these cities on achieving their New7Wonders status, and we look forward to celebrating their election to the “canon of 7″ with their citizens in 2015. The New7Wonders Cites will now join the New7Wonders of Nature and the New7Wonders of the World in becoming part of Global Memory for humanity forever,” said Bernard Weber, the founder of the nongovernment organization New7Wonders.

Launched in 2012, Vigan made it to the top as some 1,200 cities from 220 countries were also nominated in the global search.

Legarda hails Vigan win in

Meanwhile, Senator Loren Legarda expressed jubilation over the inclusion of the Historic City of Vigan in the New7Wonders Cities.

“I am happy that Vigan made it to the New7Wonders Cities. I congratulate the city government of Vigan, led by Mayor Eva Singson Medina, for its efforts and intensive campaign to make this possible,” said Ms. Legarda, who also actively campaigned for the city’s bid.

“Through this achievement, the hard work of Vigan’s government and citizens to preserve their history and promote culture while working towards sustainable development will be highlighted and hopefully emulated,” she added.

Ms. Legarda said that she hopes this would inspire Filipino communities to also work towards making their towns, cities and municipalities into habitable heritage communities like Vigan.

“Vigan is an example of how communities should work to be aware of their heritage, which should be appreciated, preserved and properly utilized to achieve meaningful and sustainable progress,” Ms. Legarda concluded.