The Department of Tourism (DOT) led by Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco convened a Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting in preparation for the Philippines’ hosting of Terra Madre Asia Pacific 2025.
The session held at the DOT Central Office in Makati City brought together officials and representatives from Slow Food International, the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), along with delegates from the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental and Bacolod City, the hosts of this first Philippine edition.
“Building on our successful participation in Terra Madre Salone del Gusto 2024 in Italy, we aim to showcase the Philippines as a sustainable gastronomy destination.”
“Preparations are underway for Terra Madre Asia Pacific 2025 in Bacolod City this November, celebrating the rich culinary traditions and local produce of the Philippines. Building on our successful participation in Terra Madre Salone del Gusto 2024 in Italy, we aim to showcase the Philippines as a sustainable gastronomy destination,” Frasco said.
As may be recalled, the DOT led a successful Philippine participation in Terra Madre Salone del Gusto 2024 in Turin, Italy, featuring Filipino cuisine from various regions with dishes crafted by renowned local chefs.
A key highlight of the participation was the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement designating Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, as the official Slow Food Hub for Asia and the Pacific.
The TWG meeting on Terra Madre Asia Pacific 2025 aimed to establish an executive committee and assign specific tasks to the participating government agencies to ensure the smooth preparation and execution of the hosting, slated in November this year.
“With Bacolod’s vibrant food scene as the backdrop, expect to discover local delicacies like inasal, kansi, and piaya, while highlighting traditional, sustainable ingredients.”
“The event will bring together chefs, farmers, sustainability advocates, and tourists from across the Asia-Pacific and around the world to explore food, culture, and sustainability. With Bacolod’s vibrant food scene as the backdrop, expect to discover local delicacies like inasal, kansi, and piaya, while highlighting traditional, sustainable ingredients,” the tourism chief explained.
“Join us in celebrating food as a force for positive change, tourism growth and a sustainable future,” she added.
Under Frasco’s leadership, the DOT has prioritized food and gastronomy tourism as an integral part of the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2023-2028.
Building on the Philippines’ successful participation in the Terra Madre Salone del Gusto 2024 in, the tourism chief called for a united, decisive effort to ensure the success of the country’s upcoming hosting, as the DOT seeks to further strengthen the country’s continued emergence as a gastronomic destination.
“We will really need your full and equivocal support and stamp of support for the Philippines through Slow Food, for us to be able to service this intention that we are emerging as a gastronomy tourism destination, and we are doing so in a manner that is sustainable and respectful of slow food principles,” she said.
Participants included officials from the Slow Food International—Director General Paolo di Croce, Network Coordinator Elena Aniere, Global South Director Andrea Amato, Councilor for Southeast Asia Ramon Uy, Jr., and Slow Food Community of Negros President Reena Gamboa.
Delegates from Negros Occidental provincial and local officials comprised Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez, Provincial Government of Negros Occidental Public Information Officer Charina Magalanes-Tan, Bacolod City Councilor Jason Villarosa, and Public Information Officer Christine Dinglasan. Representation from National Government Agencies included DA Director of Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Junibert E. De Sagun, along with Marketing Division representatives Ning Carlos and Vivian Doroja; and TESDA Executive Assistant to the Office of Director General Paz Valenciano.
Also in attendance were DOT Undersecretary Verna Buensuceso, Assistant Secretary Czarina Zara-Loyola, Regional Office VI (DOT-6) Director Krisma Rodriguez, Directors Paulo Benito Tugbang and Arlene Alipio, and Head Executive Assistant Frances Jan Villarino.
