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The five-day regional event in November marks the first Terra Madre gathering in Asia and the Pacific, taking after the food fair in Turin, Italy
MANILA, Philippines — In a historic first, Italy’s prestigious food fair Terra Madre makes its way to Philippine soil, highlighting the region’s local cuisine and delicious delicacies.
The first-ever Slow Food Terra Madre Asia and Pacific will make its way to Bacolod City this year with the theme, “From soil to sea: A slow food journey through tastes and tradition,” on November 19 to 23.
The five-day event marks the first Terra Madre regional gathering in Asia and the Pacific by Slow Food International. It centers on “celebrating biodiversity and co-creation of sustainable food systems rooted in traditions.”
“This is a turning point not just for Slow Food in the Philippines, but for the entire region. Terra Madre Asia and 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,” said Ramon “Chin Chin” Uy Jr., Slow Food councilor for Southeast Asia.
What to expect
The gastronomy festival will feature farmers, fishers, cooks, chefs, and food communities from the culinary region, as well as various youth groups, indigenous leaders, researchers, policy makers, and cultural advocates.
Terra Madre Asia and Pacific comes from the original international event, Terra Madre Salone del Gusto, celebrated in Turin, Italy, every year.
The event aims to reignite the Department of Tourism’s promise to “position the Philippines as a global gastronomy destination.”
The landmark event will also officiate Bacolod City as the newly designated Slow Food International Hub for Asia and the Pacific after its success in hosting other Terra Madre Visayas events.
Details regarding festival participants and cooks have yet to be announced.
The Terra Madre Salone del Gusto is an international biennial summit organized by Slow Food. It is dedicated to the promotion of sustainable agriculture, local and traditional cuisines, and biodiversity, encouraging the use of seasonal, regional ingredients.
Last year’s Terra Madre Salone del Gusto fair saw the popularity of the “Philippine Pavilion” among the 600 exhibitors present at the festival. Regional cuisines from Cavite; Bacolod, Negros; Capiz; Aklan; and the Cordilleras were featured, with international visitors enjoying inasal, adobo, sinigang, and kinilaw the most, and even native recipes using Philippine artisanal salt and coffee.
Terra Madre Asia and Pacific 2025 will be held at the Provincial Capitol Lagoon in Bacolod City. – with reports from Mikay Tormon/Rappler.com
Mikay Tormon is a Rappler intern studying Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a Minor in Sociology at the Ateneo de Manila University.
