CAPITOL HILL MEETING. Vice President Jejomar C. Binay, accompanied by Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr., Rep. Abigail Binay-Campos and Mayor Jejomar Erwin S. Binay discuss bilateral issues with Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin, Chair of the Sub-Committee on East Asia and Pacific Affairs of the United States Senate, during a meeting in Washington, D.C. on Thursday. (Philippine Embassy Photo by Ariel Penaranda)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Vice President Jejomar Binay is urging the public to vote for Vigan as one of the New 7 Wonders Cities of the World.
The campaign recognizes places that “best represent the achievements and aspirations of our global urban civilization.”
“Vigan reflects our country’s rich culture and history. As Filipinos proud of our own heritage, let us help make Vigan our very own world wonder,” urged Binay.
Being the lone Philippine city in the list of nominees, Binay hopes that by being included in the New 7 Wonders, “Vigan will be able to attract more local and foreign visitors, and inspire appreciation of our heritage.”
“This is an opportunity for us to showcase the beauty of our country, and motivate others to protect and preserve their cultural legacy so future generations will be able to appreciate and cherish it,” the Vice President said.
Vigan, a UNESCO World Heritage site that was dubbed as the “best preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia,” joins 27 other finalists in the New7Wonders Cities campaign.
The other finalists are: Athens, Greece; Bangkok, Thailand; Barcelona, Spain; Beirut, Lebanon; Casablanca, Morocco; Chicago, USA; Doha, Qatar; Durban, South Africa; Havana, Cuba; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Istanbul, Turkey; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Kyoto, Japan; La Paz, Bolivia; London, United Kingdom; Mendoza, Argentina; Mexico City, Mexico; Mumbai, India; Perth, Australia; Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Prague, Czech Republic; Quito, Ecuador; Reykjavik, Iceland; St. Petersburg, Russia; Seoul, South Korea; Shenzhen, China; and Vancouver, Canada.
The Philippines’ Puerto Princesa Underground River was named among the New7Wonders of Nature in 2011, joining the Amazon Rainforest in South America, Ha Long Bay in Vietnam, Iguazu Falls in Argentina/Brazil, Jeju Island in South Korea, Komodo National Park in Indonesia, and Table Mountain in South Africa. (MNS)
