The country’s most preserved city during the colonial era, Vigan City was officially declared as one of the New Seven Wonder Cities of the World during a grand inauguration held on Thursday, making the Philippines as one of the three countries in the world with more than one wonder.
According to the New7Wonders Foundation, Vigan City is the “best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia.” Present during the formal inauguration of Vigan City were Vice President Jejomar Binay, Sen. Cynthia Villar, Vigan Mayor Eva Singsong-Medina, Ilocos Sur Gov. Ryan Luis Singsong and other local officials.
The city of Vigan in Ilocos Sur joined other cities worldwide as New Seven Wonder Cities such as Beirut in Lebanon, Doha in Qatar, Durban in South Africa, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and La Paz in Bolivia. The New 7 Wonder Cities “best represent the achievements and aspirations of our global urban civilization,” according to New7Wonders Foundation.
Bernard Weber, Founder-President of New7Wonders handed to city officials a bronze plaque that declares Vigan as New Wonder City. The Philippines achievement as one of the few countries with two New7Wonders recognition says a lot about the country.
Aside from Vigan City, the Philippines can also boasts of the Palawan Underground River in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, one of the New Seven Wonders of Natures.