DOT, Bacolod ready to welcome first Terra Madre Asia-Pacific

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is partnering with Bacolod City to host the first-ever Terra Madre Asia-Pacific (TMAP) from November 19 to 23, 2025, marking a milestone for sustainable gastronomy tourism in the Philippines.

DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco met on August 11 with Bacolod Representative Alfredo “Albee” Benitez, Slow Food International Councilor for Southeast Asia Ramon Uy Jr., and Slow Food Community of Negros President Reena Gamboa to finalize preparations for the five-day international gathering.

In line with the Marcos administration’s thrust to position the Philippines as a tourism powerhouse in Asia, gastronomy tourism has been identified as one of the DOT’s priority products. Hosting TMAP reinforces this agenda by showcasing the country’s culinary heritage and sustainable food practices to the world.

Dubbed as the largest sustainable food gathering in the region, TMAP 2025 will bring together farmers, fishers, indigenous communities, chefs, food artisans, youth, academics, policymakers, and advocates from more than 20 countries, including Japan, Indonesia, Taiwan, Samoa, Afghanistan, the United States, and Slovakia.

The Asia-Pacific edition of the global Terra Madre movement—founded in Italy in 1989—champions good, clean, and fair food, celebrates biodiversity, and safeguards local food cultures.

To highlight the Philippines’ role as host, the DOT will present a Slow Food Travel Pavilion, offering immersive, community-based food experiences from regions with recognized Slow Food communities, including the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Negros Island Region (NIR), CALABARZON (Region IV-A), Western Visayas (Region VI), and Central Visayas (Region VII).

Visitors will also be able to enjoy a Street Food area featuring signature heritage dishes from these regions, presenting the country’s culinary diversity to an international audience.

DOT Undersecretaries Shahlimar Hofer Tamano and Verna Buensuceso, Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) COO Marga Nograles, Assistant Secretary Ina Zara Loyola, Director Paulo Benito Tugbang, and Head Executive Assistant Frances Jan Villarino joined the planning session. DOT Region VI and concurrent DOT-NIR Regional Director Crisanta Marlene Rodriguez participated remotely.

“This is an extraordinary opportunity to not only highlight Bacolod as a gastronomic destination, but also to elevate our local communities and their food traditions on the global stage,” Frasco said.