Vigan City bids one more time for world presence

A CALESA (horse-drawn carriage) passes through the cobblestone-covered Calle Crisologo in the heritage city of Vigan in Ilocos Sur province, as the sun rises. Vigan has been receiving visitors year-round, enamored by the city’s Spanish-era mansions, its native cuisine and local culture. RICHARD BALONGLONG

The last time Vigan in Ilocos Sur province pulsated collectively as a city was before 1999 when it was inscribed in the World Heritage list of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco).

Nearly 15 years later, the same energy gravitates in this heritage city as it mounts its final run to keep its place in the New7Wonders Cities campaign.

The now-familiar campaign brand is printed on mini flags which flutter along Vigan’s heritage houses on Calle Crisologo, considered Vigan’s “Ground Zero.”

Also seen on counters of commercial establishments—from hotels to restaurants—are mini-sign stands bearing the campaign brand and information on how to vote online in the global race.

Currently in the Top 28 list, Vigan remains in the running as the lone Philippine candidate in the global competition initiated by Swiss nonprofit New7Wonders Foundation.

The foundation, which aims to preserve the world’s manmade and natural heritage, is also behind the campaign that named Puerto Princesa City one of the world’s New7Wonders of Nature in 2011.

Mike Escobar, Ilocos Sur provincial information officer, said Vigan’s pitch has taken a different level from the interpersonal approach characteristic of the pre-Unesco inscription era in the early 1990s to social and multimedia platforms in the new media age.

“We have the advantage of the social media. We have taken this platform to flood our audience with promotional materials,” he said.

Escobar said the wonder-city awareness campaign is in stark contrast to the Unesco heritage inscription, which saw most residents and the local government against Vigan’s conservation then.

He said Vigan Mayor Eva Marie Medina has tapped every possible avenue from big conventions, celebrity concerts to national media network-hopping to promote Vigan’s global quest.

“As the lone nominee from the Philippines, let this be a journey where every Filipino shall join hands to bring pride to our country. Let us go beyond the border of our nation to achieve our goal,” Medina said during Vigan’s campaign launch on May 1.

Medina also asked the government to support Vigan’s world bid.

In a letter to Secretary Herminio Coloma of the Presidential Communications Operations Office, Medina cited the Puerto Princesa underground river experience which triggered tourist arrivals, business opportunities and jobs after earning a slot in the New7Wonders of Nature.

“[The inclusion of Puerto Princesa] intensified the entire country’s reputation as a top global destination. It brought forth economic gains to a cross section of Philippine society,” she said.

Vigan Vice Mayor Lourdes Baquiran said the city’s inclusion in the list would inspire other cities and towns to strive and contribute something in uplifting the Philippines’ image to the world.

Since the campaign began in May, however, the city government has no means to monitor how the promotions are converted to actual votes for Vigan.

A statement from the campaign organizers on June 6 and posted on Vigan’s Facebook fan page said “emerging cities such as Vigan, Shenzhen (China) and Quito (Ecuador) have seen improvements.”

“But [they] are by no means in the ‘safe’ zone yet, especially as previous experience indicates changes up to the last minute,” the statement said.

Escobar said Vigan could only rely on the foundation’s monitoring on the 28 countries’ movement in positions.

The finalists will be trimmed down to 21 cities on July 7 and to 14 on Oct. 7. The final Top 7 list will be announced on Dec. 7.

New challenge

Escobar also cited Vigan’s other challenge the moment it captures a slot in the new wonder cities. “Vigan lacks the space to accommodate more tourist facilities,” Escobar said.

He said local investors have turned to either tearing down or converting abandoned houses around the heritage zone to make way for new hotels.

“The core zone (heritage district) remains off limits to conversion. Investors are mindful of this. So they would scout for other sites to build their hotels,” he said.

He said neighboring towns like Bantay, Sta. Catalina and San Vicente also stand to benefit from the wonder city tag.

Local governments should expect to have a full plate as the world, for the second time, takes notice of Vigan’s heritage success story, he said.