One of these days, my friends and I are going to Vigan to see for ourselves how it landed among the Top 14 official finalists in the last round of the search for the “New7Wonders Cities.” I’ve only seen it in movies produced, directed and starred in by FPJ who held Vigan (and, for that matter, the twin provinces of Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte) close to his heart as favorite places to shoot in. In fact, the DOT (Department Of Tourism) should give Da King a posthumous Tourism Award for showcasing in his movies the scenic spots of not only the Ilocos provinces but other regions (Bicol, Bohol and Mindanao) as well.
The 13 other finalists presented by New7Wonders Cities founder and president Bernard Weber are: Barcelona (Spain), Beirut (Lebanon), Chicago (USA), Doha (Qatar), Durban (South Africa), Havana (Cuba), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), La Paz (Bolivia), London (United Kingdom), Mexico City (Mexico), Perth (Australia), Quito (Ecuador) and Reykjavik (Iceland).
Vigan City Mayor Eva Marie Singson-Medina is very grateful for the inclusion of her city in the Top 14 finalists, and so is my Ilocana friend Tessa Mangahas who has been tirelessly campaigning for Vigan which used to be known as Ciudad Fernandina during the Spanish colonial period, famous for its well-preserved centuries-old structures (some of which are shown on this page) and recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as a World Heritage Site.
Vigan beckons, waiting to be discovered and re-discovered.
(To vote for Vigan, log in at www.new7wonders.com/en/cities and select the City of Vigan, or text VIGAN to 29290777. Voting ends on Dec. 14.)
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