Bacolod City hosts the first Terra Madre Asia Pacific, celebrating food traditions and sustainability.

Words Pepper Teehankee
Photos courtesy of Terra Madre Asia Pacific
January 06, 2026

Terra Madre, the global gathering created by Slow Food and known for its biennial Terra Madre Salone del Gusto event in Turin, Italy, is recognized as one of the most important events on food policies in the world. It is a global network of food communities working to defend biodiversity, promote food sovereignty, and create sustainable food systems rooted in local traditions.

The Philippines has once again been in the global food map as Terra Madre held its first-ever regional edition in Asia and Pacific in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, which is now the regional hub for the Slow Food movement. TMAP 2025 marks the designation of Bacolod City as the Center for Sustainable Gastronomy and Negros Occidental as the Organic Capital of the Philippines, an evolution of the Terra Madre Visayas events of 2023 and 2024.

Official ribbon cutting: Slow Food Councilor Southeast Asia Ramon "Chin Chin" Uy, Slow Food Director General Paolo di Croce, Slow Food President Edward Mukiibi, Governor Eugenio "Bong" Lacson, DOT Secretary Christina Frasco, TESDA Executive Director Kiko Benitez, Cong. Albee Benitez, Cong. Javi Benitez (behind), Murcia Mayor Gerry Rojas, Assistant Secretary Nylah Bautista

Under the theme “From Soil to Sea: A Slow Food Journey Through Tastes and Traditions,” Terra Madre Asia & Pacific (TMAP) brought together farmers, fishers, indigenous leaders, chefs, cooks, academics, youth, and cultural advocates to celebrate food biodiversity and advance sustainable food systems rooted in tradition, fairness, and care for the environment.

The five-day food event featured 2,000 delegates from over 20 countries, over 100 speakers, and over 150 events that include immersive exhibits, tastings, conferences, and community meals.

*Slow Food team: Emanuele Dughera, Carl Te, Alessia Pautasso, Andrea Borgogna, Edie Mukiibi, Christine Nabawanuka, Chinchin Uy, Andrea Amato, Caio Dorigon, Alessandra Rurco, Elena Aniere*

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

General Director of Slow Food Paolo Di Croce shared, “The first edition of Terra Madre Asia & Pacific marks an exciting new chapter for the global Slow Food movement. This gathering celebrates the shared products and traditions that unite Asian and Pacific communities, while showing how food can connect people, pass on knowledge, inspire solutions, and help safeguard the planet for future generations. Starting with the next edition, the event will be held every two years, a milestone for our movement and for the Philippines. It also offers a unique opportunity to strengthen our global network through the creation of a new Slow Food Hub for Asia and the Pacific, and the launch of strategic initiatives such as Slow Food Travel.”

The event was organized around a series of thematic spaces and activities that reflect the diversity of Asia-Pacific food cultures. The Foodways Exhibition was a centerpiece showcasing four iconic staples of the region—rice of Southeast Asia, spices of South Asia, soy of East Asia, and taro of Australia and the Pacific Islands. The Education Pavilion showcased programs for children and adults centered on taste education and sensory experiences, helping participants understand biodiversity and make informed food choices. Slow Food Coffee Coalition was an interactive journey from farm to cup, with tastings, workshops, and stories highlighting the region’s coffee traditions and the push for fair and transparent practices. House of Slow Food was a central hub introducing the philosophy of Slow Food and its global and regional projects. There were Public Talks and Conferences, which were open forums where farmers, indigenous leaders, cooks, youth, and policy makers discussed issues such as climate resilience, food justice, and sustainable agriculture.

The Terra Madre Kitchen and Taste Workshops provided guided tastings, chef collaborations, and cooking demonstrations showcasing regional ingredients and techniques. Slow Drinks, Market, and Street Food were spaces dedicated to organic farmers, producers, sustainable drinks, and diverse regional street foods, which highlighted local ingredients while also featuring the Ark of Taste, Slow Food’s international online catalogue of endangered heritage ingredients that are sustainably produced, unique in taste, and rooted in distinct eco-regions. Ark of Taste products from Negros Occidental and Western Visayas include batuan (Garcinia binucao), kadyos (pigeon pea), criollo cacao (such as Bago City’s heirloom cacao), artisanal muscovado sugar, and traditional salts like tultul and budbud. There was a Community Kitchen—a communal dining area where representatives from all 61 barangays of Bacolod shared traditional dishes, expressing their local heritage.

*Charles Montanez, Pat Go, Dedet de la Fuente, Chinchin Uy, Paolo di Croce, Tina Legarda, Angelo Comsti, David Amoros, Thirdy Dolatre, Kevin Navoa*

TMAP 2025 had an impressive line-up of international and local chefs and mixologists. International Chefs included Johanne Siy (Asia’s Best Female Chef 2023 – Singapore / Philippines), LG Han (Labyrinth Michelin Star Chef – Singapore), Wes Kuo (Michelin Green Star Chef – Taipei), Hafizzul Hashim (Fiz & Green Michelin Star Chef – Singapore), Lordfer Lalicon (Kaya, Michelin Green Star Chef – USA), Christina Rasmussen (Fura – Singapore / Denmark / USA), Melissa Miranda (Musang – USA), Romy Dorotan (Purple Yam – USA / Philippines), William Wongso (Indonesia’s Culinary Ambassador), Chef Ross Magnaye (Serai – Australia), Lola Migliore (Australia), and Ardika Dwitama Tjandra (August – Jakarta).

Department of Tourism (DOT) Undersecratary Verna Esmeralda Buensuceso, DOT Director for Product Development Paulo Tugbang, DOT Secreatary Christina Frasco, President Slow Food Negros and Executive Director Terra Madre Asia Pacific Reena Gamboa, Regional Director of DOT for Western Visayas (Region VI) Krisma Rodriguez

Philippine-based chefs included Josh Boutwood (helm, juniper, test kitchen, and ember – Manila), Jordy Navarra (Toyo & Panaderya Toyo – Manila), Thirdy Dolatre and John Kevin Navoa (Hapag & Aya – Makati), Miko Calo (Taqueria Franco – Manila), Chele González (Gallery by Chele and Asador Alfonso – Manila / Cavite) with Chef Carlos Villaflor (Gallery by Chele), JP “Jepe” Cruz (Inatô – Makati), Stephan Duhesme (Metiz – Manila), Yuichi Ito - (Crosta Pizzeria – Makati), Don Baldosano (Linamnam – Parañaque), Tony Boy Escalante (Antonio’s Group – Tagaytay / Manila), Aaron Isip (Kasa Palma – Manila), Patrick Go (Your Local and The Lazy Suzy – Manila), Angelo Comsti (Offbeat Bistro – Manila), Rhea Rizzo (Mrs. Saldo’s – Cavite), Bettina Arguelles (Manila), Tina Legarda (Bamba Bistro and Kumba – Parañaque), Inés & Marina Castañeda and Filippo Turrini (Roots – Siargao), Charles Montañez (Mamacita and Liyab – Taguig), Datu Shariff Pendatun III (Manila / Mindanao), David Amoros (El Born – Manila), David del Rosario (CEV – Siargao), Dedet de la Fuente (Lechon Diva – Manila), Erwan Heussaff + FEATR (Manila), Miguel Moreno (Palm Grill – Quezon City / Mindanao), Chef Waya Araos-Wijangco (Baguio, Manila), Gerald Montelibano (Cibo di Marghi – Manila), Andre Malarky (Wild Siargao – Siargao), Rhea and JayJay Sycip (The Fatted Calf – Cavite). Negrense-Based Chefs were Don Colmenares (SAUMA – Negros Occidental), Nico Millanes (Portiko Cafe – Bacolod), and Mark Lobaton (Enting’s – Sagay, Negros Occidental).

International mixologists were Danny Childs (Slow Drinks – USA), Danny Park (Zest – South Korea), Agung Prabowo (The Old Man & PENICILLIN – Hong Kong / Indonesia), Sasha Wijidessa (FURA – Singapore / Denmark), Daniel Nguyen (Sông Cái Distillery – Vietnam / USA), Renate Spurlock (Kaya & Bayani Bar – USA), Anna Ye (Anna Ye Tea – Vietnam / USA), and Rishot Laloo / Sagar Neve (Shad Skye – India).

Local mixologists were Niko Tiutan (Ito – Manila), Ron Cruz (Fat Cat – Manila), Jessie Qi (Last Chance – Siargao), Kalel Demetrio (Agimat & Alamat – Manila), Ken Alonso (Proudly Promdi – Ilocos Norte / Manila), Frances Ang (Manila), Aly Lorenzo (Xi by Cafe Guilt – Manila), and Arcadius Rybak (Pampanga).

*Chef Tatung Sarthou at the book launch of his “Pinas Simpol”*

The program included events such as the Opening Ceremony, Mayor’s Lunch, Governor’s Night, and a Department of Tourism Welcome Dinner, as well as curated, ticketed dining experiences.

Collaboration across sectors

*Melissa Miranda of Musang, Seattle, Rhea Rizzo of Mrs. Saldo’s Cavite, Ardika Dwitama from August Jakarta, Tina Legarda of Bamba Bistro and Kumba, and Bettina Arguelles.*

TMAP 2025 is made possible through collaboration between Slow Food; the City Government of Bacolod, led by Mayor Greg Gasataya; the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental, led by Governor Eugenio Lacson; the Department of Tourism, led by Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco; the Department of Agriculture, led by Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.; the Department of Trade and Industry, led by Secretary Cristina Roque; TESDA Director General Kiko Benitez; Congressman Albee Benitez; Congressman Javi Benitez; and Senator Loren Legarda. Partners include Plus63 Design Co., FEATR, and the Slow Food Community in Negros.

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