Bacolod City: This highly urbanized city is gearing up to host a major global celebration of food biodiversity and heritage as it welcomes the inaugural Terra Madre Asia and Pacific on Nov. 19 to 23. Modeled after the world-renowned Terra Madre Salone del Gusto held biennially in Turin, Italy by the Slow Food movement, the continental gathering will be held at the Provincial Capitol Lagoon and is backed by the Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, and the Province of Negros Occidental.
According to Philippines News Agency, Negrense Ramon Uy Jr., Slow Food councilor for Southeast Asia, hailed the event as a milestone for the region. Uy stated, “It is time for Asia and the Pacific to take center stage in the global sustainable food conversation,” emphasizing the significance of the event not only for the Philippines but for the entire region. He described Terra Madre Asia and Pacific as a platform where grassroots wisdom can influence policy, tradition can spark innovation, and community experiences can shape the global food future.
Terra Madre is recognized as the largest event dedicated to food politics, sustainable agriculture, and the environment. During the 2024 edition in Turin, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez signed a memorandum of agreement with Slow Food International director-general Paolo di Croce, officially confirming Bacolod’s hosting of Terra Madre Asia and Pacific 2025.
The event, themed ‘From Soil to Sea: A Slow Food Journey Through Tastes and Traditions,’ will feature a traditional Slow Food market, Slow Food Coffee Coalition space, Slow Drinks area, taste workshops, and expert-led conferences. Specialists in agriculture, food processing, and gastronomy will share their visions for a sustainable future in the Asia-Pacific region, with participation from farmers, fishers, cooks, youth, food communities, indigenous leaders, researchers, and cultural advocates.
Organizers noted that this gathering solidifies Bacolod City’s role as the newly designated slow food international hub for Asia-Pacific and marks the evolution of successful Terra Madre Visayas events hosted in Bacolod in 2023 and 2024. For the Philippines, Terra Madre Asia and Pacific will showcase the country’s gastronomy, food biodiversity, and cultural heritage, and encourage cross-border collaboration among food producers, chefs, youth, and indigenous communities.
Additionally, the event aims to build public awareness around ethical foodways, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture, reinforcing the DOT’s commitment to positioning the Philippines as a global gastronomy destination.
