Bacolod hosts 1st Terra Madre Asia-Pacific summit

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — At least 25 countries are expected to join the first-ever Terra Madre Asia and Pacific (TMAP) 2025, which the Philippines will host in this city from Nov. 19 to 23.

Participating countries include Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, China (Hong Kong), India, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Japan, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Palau, Samoa, South Korea, Slovakia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor Leste, the United States, Vanuatu, and Vietnam.

According to Ramon “Chin Chin” Uy Jr., Slow Food Councilor for Southeast Asia, the event will gather at least 2,000 delegates at the Provincial Capitol Lagoon here for the five-day international summit.

“We had already been working to transform Negros into an organic island, so forming a Slow Food community was a natural extension of that mission,” Uy said during a press briefing at May’s Garden on Friday.

He explained that Terra Madre is a global network of farmers, cooks, indigenous peoples, fisherfolk, and food communities.

“In 2022, the Philippines — through the Department of Tourism (DOT) — proudly presented a booth at Terra Madre in Turin, Italy, managed by Slow Food Negros. With the long lines at the Filipino booth, the world’s enthusiasm for Filipino food inspired us to imagine hosting something similar in Bacolod. After all, Negros has more than two decades of experience with the Negros Island Organic Farmers Festival,” Uy said.

“This will not just be an event but a living testament to what we can achieve together — a gathering from soil to sea — where local tastes and traditions meet global conversations,” he added.

Uy emphasized that Bacolod plays a major role as the Slow Food hub of Asia and the Pacific, while Negros is recognized as the organic capital of the Philippines.

He noted that when communities, government, and the private sector work together, meaningful change follows, making Slow Food Negros a model for collaboration that delivers tangible results for farmers, fisherfolk, artisans, and food communities.

DOT-Western Visayas Director Crisanta Marlene Rodriguez said the department aims to promote sustainable tourism through the Slow Food movement.

“We have been telling our clients and tourists that tourism is one of the most effective ways to protect our environment if done correctly. With the principles of good, clean, fair food and biodiversity protection, we believe strongly in the Slow Food movement,” she said.

Rodriguez acknowledged that the slow food journey is not easy but expressed hope that it can expand further to other provinces such as Antique. Slow Food communities are also active in Capiz, Guimaras, and Iloilo.

Reena Gamboa, TMAP 2025 executive director, highlighted the importance of using ingredients unique to Negros in Slow Food dishes to be showcased during the event.

She said a mapping initiative was conducted to identify and preserve region-specific ingredients.

In 2024, the city government — then led by Mayor and now Rep. Alfredo “Albee” Benitez — signed a memorandum of agreement in Turin, Italy, designating Bacolod as the Slow Food International Hub for Asia and the Pacific.

Terra Madre is a global gathering of food communities initiated by the Slow Food movement, promoting sustainable and traditional food production.

It champions awareness and action on sustainable agriculture, food justice, local food economies, and climate-resilient practices.

Meanwhile, the Bacolod Traffic and Transport Management Department (BTTMD) has implemented road closures on North and South Capitol Roads from Nov. 10 to 24, assuring the public that the event will not disrupt traffic flow along Lacson Street.