Bacolod City to Host the First-Ever Terra Madre Asia & Pacific in 2025

A Global Celebration of Food, Culture, and Sustainability Comes to the Philippines

Bacolod City, Philippines — Terra Madre, the world-renowned biennial event held in Turin, Italy, founded by Slow Food, makes a historic leap in 2025 with the launch of Terra Madre Asia & Pacific, its first-ever regional gathering in Asia and the Pacific, to be held November 19–23, 2025, at the Provincial Capitol Lagoon in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.

Under the theme “From Soil to Sea: A Slow Food Journey Through Tastes & Traditions,” this five-day event brings together 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.

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. 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,” said Ramon “Chin Chin” Uy Jr., Slow Food Councilor for Southeast Asia. “It’s time for Asia and the Pacific to take center stage in the global sustainable food conversation.”

Modeled after Terra Madre Salone del Gusto in Turin, Italy, Slow Food’s global biennial summit, 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;
• Build public awareness around ethical foodways, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture;
• Reinforce the Department of Tourism’s commitment to positioning the Philippines as a global gastronomy destination.

The Slow Food Terra Madre Asia & Pacific is a project in collaboration with: Congressman Albee Benitez, City Government of Bacolod led by Mayor Greg Gasataya, Provincial Government of Negros Occidental led by Governor Eugenio Lacson, Department of Tourism led by Sec. Christina Garcia Frasco, Department of Agriculture led by Sec. Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr, Department of Trade and Industry led by Sec. Cristina Roque, Congressman Javi Benitez, TESDA Director General Kiko Benitez, Senator Loren Legarda, Plus63 Design Co., Slow Food International and the Slow Food Community in Negros.

Get Involved

Organizations, farmers, fishers, chefs, community leaders, researchers, and advocates interested in participating may email [email protected] for more information on booth reservations and delegate nominations.

For press inquiries, partnership opportunities, or media coverage arrangements, please contact:

Pamela Caperonce
Asst. Executive Director, Terra Madre Asia & Pacific
Email: [email protected]