DENR chief makes pitch for Vigan in online voting

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–The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has called on Filipinos worldwide to flex their formidable online voting power once more to get the historic Vigan City in Ilocos Sur voted among the so-called New Seven Wonder Cities of the World.

Environment Secretary Ramon Paje, whose office spearheaded the online and texting campaign that got the Puerto Princesa Underground River named among the New Seven Wonders of Nature back in 2012, said more votes are needed since Vigan City passed the first round of elimination to be included in the shortlist of 21 nominees.

Vigan City is a favorite tourist destination known for its unique colonial architecture, cobblestone streets and distinct cuisine.

It is the only Philippine town or city on the list of heritage sites of the UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco), which has described Vigan as “the best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia.”

Unesco said the city’s architecture “reflects the coming together of cultural elements from elsewhere in the Philippines, from China and from Europe, resulting in a culture and townscape that have no parallel anywhere in East and Southeast Asia.”

The New Seven Wonder Cities is the third campaign launched by the New Seven Wonders Foundation, after the New Seven Wonders of the World and the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

From more than 1,200 nominated cities, the 28 finalists will go through three elimination phases.