Vigan is one of 7wonders

Vigan City in Ilocos Sur is now one one of the world's New7Wonders Cities.

A colorful ceremony on Thursday (May 7) at the St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral grounds formalized the status of Vigan City, with a bronze plaque presented to city officials.

Vigan is the first of the New7Wonders Cities to be officially inaugurated, according to the New7Wonders.com website.

"Established in the 16th century, its architecture echoes the fusion of cultural elements from the Philippines, China and Europe, creating a city that is without equal in Asia," it said.

It also described Vigan as "the best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia."

Apart from Vigan, the New7Wonders Cities are: Beirut, Lebanon; Doha, Qatar; Durban, South Africa; Havana, Cuba; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and La Paz, Bolivia.

The seven cities were chosen based on the votes cast by people using the Internet, smartphone apps, international telephone voting lines and text messaging. -end-

image by www.new7wonders.com