Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco welcomed officials of the Slow Food International led by its Director General, Mr. Paulo di Croce, at the Department of Tourism (DOT) Office in Makati City.
Slow Food, a worldwide grassroots organization established in 1989, aims to safeguard local food cultures and traditions, counter the fast-paced lifestyle, and rekindle people’s connection to the food they consume.
By emphasizing the importance of where food comes from and how our choices impact the world, Slow Food encourages a deeper understanding of food’s role in society. Since its founding, the movement has expanded to reach millions across more than 160 countries, championing access to food that is good, clean, and fair for all.
The meeting focused on providing updates on the successful Philippine participation at the Terra Madre Salone del Gusto 2024 from 26 to 30 September 2024 in Turin, Italy.
“The Philippine booth emerged as one of the most popular exhibits, capturing the international audience with a diverse showcase of Filipino cuisine from regions across the country and with local dishes prepared by renowned Filipino chefs.”
According to Slow Food International, the Philippine booth emerged as one of the most popular exhibits, capturing the international audience with a diverse showcase of Filipino cuisine from regions across the country and with local dishes prepared by renowned Filipino chefs.
Also a key highlight of the Philippine participation in Terra Madre 2024 was the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) designating Bacolod City, Negros Occidental as the official hub of Slow Food International for Asia and the Pacific, along with the announcement that the Philippines will host for the first time the Terra Madre Salone del Gusto Asia and the Pacific 2025.
Di Croce, together with Slow Food International for Southeast Asia Councilor Ramon “Chin-Chin” Uy Jr. and Slow Food Community in Negros President Doreen “Reena” Alicia Gamboa, also provided updates on the preparations being made in line with the country’s hosting of the global event next year, as they extended an invitation to Frasco for the upcoming Terra Madre Visayas, happening this coming November 19-23, 2024 in Bacolod, to officially announce the city’s hosting of Terra Madre Salone del Gusto Asia and the Pacific next year.
The tourism chief warmly welcomed the visit from the officials, as she commended their passion and consistency in driving the Slow Food movement in the Philippines.
“Your presence here means a lot to us and gives us the impetus to continue to support this local movement, that we, in agreement with you, would like to take global,” the tourism head remarked.
“I was very impressed, primarily by the fact that the effort is to be inclusive, to honor the contributors to putting food on your table that are normally not given any credit at all: our farmers, and also their produce.”
“When I first heard about this movement in Bacolod when I visited for the Philippine Experience Program, I was very impressed, primarily by the fact that the effort is to be inclusive, to honor the contributors to putting food on your table that are normally not given any credit at all: our farmers, and also their produce. I think that it’s high time that this principle is really applied in all efforts, in all touristic products, and that aligns very well with the priority agenda of the Marcos administration to humanize the tourism industry and, really, to put a premium on the work that is being done by those on the ground,” she said, citing as well the Department’s active efforts to promote and develop Food and Gastronomy Tourism, and incorporate Slow Food principles in its efforts.
Frasco reaffirmed the DOT’s commitment to collaborate closely with Slow Food International and its stakeholders to ensure the successful hosting of Terra Madre Salone del Gusto Asia and the Pacific 2025, and in further promoting the Philippines, “not just on the deliciousness of its food and the variety and diversity of what we have to offer, but also in terms of the principles and values by which we pursue our food”.
DOT Undersecretary Verna Buensuceso, Assistant Secretary Gissela Marie Romualdez-Quisumbing, Director for Product Development Paulo Benito Tugbang, and Head Executive Assistant Frances Jan Villarino were also present during the meeting.
