Get your appetites ready! Bacolod City, famously known as The City of Smiles, is gearing up to host the 2025 Terra Madre Asia Pacific event. This marks a major milestone for Bacolod and the Philippines as the city takes center stage as the Slow Food International Hub for the Asia Pacific region. Imagine: a whole event dedicated to preserving food traditions, promoting sustainable agriculture, and fostering a love for authentic, slow-cooked meals.
Terra Madre is part of the Slow Food movement, which, since its founding in 1989, has worked globally to promote traditional food cultures, resist fast food consumerism, and strengthen people’s connection to the food they eat.
This event is part of the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) plan to establish the Philippines as a global hub for gastronomy and sustainable tourism. Under the leadership of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, the DOT has made food tourism a key aspect of the nation’s cultural heritage, aiming to promote Filipino cuisine worldwide.
With the backing of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the initiative aligns with the administration’s vision of transforming the Philippines into Asia’s next major tourism destination. Frasco highlighted that by hosting events like Terra Madre Asia Pacific, the Philippines is well-positioned to attract tourists to explore its unique cuisine, stay longer, and appreciate its rich culture.
Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and local officials couldn’t be happier. Hosting Terra Madre Asia Pacific is a massive win for Bacolod and Negros Occidental, boosting its reputation as a cultural and culinary tourism hub. With dishes as rich as its culture, Bacolod is ready to welcome the world with open arms.
So, foodies, how could this get any more interesting? Terra Madre Asia Pacific in Bacolod promises to be more than an event—it’s a celebration of everything that makes Filipino cuisine a world-class experience. Who’s hungry already?
