THE Bacolod City Government will host the maiden edition of the Terra Madre Asia & Pacific on November 19-23, 2025, the first-ever regional gathering in Asia and the Pacific.
Terra Madre, the world-renowned biennial event held in Turin, Italy, founded by Slow Food, will be held at the Provincial Capitol Lagoon in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.
Ramon “Chin Chin” Uy Jr., Slow Food councilor for Southeast Asia, in a statement, said the event with a theme “From Soil to Sea: A Slow Food Journey Through Tastes & Traditions,” will bring together the farmers, fishers, cooks, youth, food communities, indigenous leaders, researchers, and cultural advocates to celebrate biodiversity and co-create sustainable food systems rooted in tradition, fairness, and environmental care.
He said this landmark 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.
“This is a turning point not just for Slow Food in the Philippines, but for the entire region,” he added.
Uy noted that Terra Madre Asia & Pacific is a space where grassroots wisdom can shape policy, tradition can spark innovation, and the lived experiences of communities take their rightful place in shaping our global food future.
“It’s time for Asia and the Pacific to take center stage in the global sustainable food conversation,” Uy said.
Modeled after Terra Madre Salone del Gusto in Turin, Italy, Slow Food’s global biennial summit, Uy said this regional edition aims to showcase the Philippines' gastronomy, food biodiversity, and cultural heritage; foster cross-border collaboration among food producers, chefs, youth, and indigenous communities.
It will also build public awareness around ethical foodways, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture; and reinforce the Department of Tourism’s commitment to positioning the Philippines as a global gastronomy destination.
Slow Food Terra Madre Asia & Pacific is a project in collaboration with the city and provincial government officials, Department of Tourism, Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, Senator Loren Legarda, Plus63 Design Co., Slow Food International, and the Slow Food Community in Negros.
In September 2024, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez signed a memorandum of agreement with Slow Food International for the staging of the event during the Terra Madre Salone del Gusto held in Turin, Italy.
Benitez said Terra Madre is considered the largest event dedicated to food politics, sustainable agriculture and the environment.
He said slow food is a movement that started in Europe that is promoting sustainable gastronomy.
The Bacolod City Council also earlier approved an ordinance establishing the slow food accreditation system for restaurants and other food establishments.
The ordinance was authored by Council Jason Villarosa, chairperson of the City Council’s committee on tourism.
Villarosa said Bacolod City recognizes the value of organic products that are being sourced locally and continues to support all other similar programs and platforms. (MAP)