THE HERITAGE VILLAGE in Vigan City remains busy at night as tourists enjoy walking on its cobblestone streets and ride in calesa (horse-drawn carriages) that ply the city famous for its rich culture and Spanish-era mansions. LEONCIO BALBIN JR.
MANILA, Philippines鈥擵ice President听Jejomar听Binay听and Senator Loren听Legarda听on Wednesday urged Filipinos to keep voting for听Vigan听City to make it one of the 鈥楴ew7Wonders鈥� cities of the world.
鈥淰igan听reflects our country鈥檚 rich culture and history. As Filipinos proud of our own heritage, let us help make听Vigan听our very own world wonder,鈥澨鼴inay听said.
Vigan听is one of 28 finalists in the search. As the lone nominee from the Philippines, it aims to duplicate the success of the Puerto听Princesa听Underground River, which was named one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature in 2012.
鈥淚 hope that by gaining the title,听Vigan听will be able to attract more local and foreign visitors, and inspire appreciation of our heritage,鈥� the Vice President said.
鈥淭his is an opportunity for us to showcase the beauty of our country, and motivate others to protect and preserve their cultural legacy so听future generations will be able to appreciate and cherish it,鈥澨鼴inay听added.
Legarda听said听Vigan听City deserves to be included in the New7Wonders Cities not only to bring honor to the country but also to set a good example to other cities on how history and culture can stand out amidst modernity.
鈥淭he carefully preserved centuries-old structures in the Historic City of听Vigan听bring people back in time, but the city鈥檚 prosperity tells us that the citizens and the government of this UNESCO World Heritage Site have worked well and made good use of its autonomy,鈥� she said in a separate statement.
The senator said听Vigan听is also the only UNESCO heritage city in the Philippines and was awarded the Best Practice for World Heritage Site Management by UNESCO in November 2012.
鈥淭he best practices that the people of听Vigan听have carried out to preserve history and promote culture while working towards sustainable development should be emulated and recognized. I call on Filipinos to support听Vigan听City鈥檚 bid to be one of the New7Wonders Cities,鈥� said听Legarda.
From the top 77 voted during the qualification phase, the New7Wonders Cities Panel of Experts advised on the selection of the 28 Official Finalist Candidates that was announced in October 2013.
The 28 cities will be narrowed further to 21 on听July 7, 2014. Three more voting phases will follow until the New7Wonders Cities will be revealed on December 7, 2014.
To vote, log on to听听and click on the city of your choice.
RELATED STORIES
听