Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco formally welcomed delegates from across the Asia and Pacific region to the inaugural regional edition of Terra Madre, the world’s largest sustainable food gathering, at the Citadines Hotel in Bacolod City on Tuesday, November 18.
In her keynote address, Secretary Frasco highlighted the vital role of gastronomy in boosting tourism, emphasizing its power to sustain livelihoods, uplift communities, and contribute to national progress, particularly in light of recent regional challenges.
“For us, gastronomy tourism is fundamentally about community,” Secretary Frasco stated. “It creates markets for small producers, for its fisherfolk and farmers. It keeps our traditional and heritage cooking alive. It builds a private place, and it strengthens local economies by allowing value to remain where it is created.”
The tourism chief reaffirmed the DOT’s commitment: “This is why the Department of Tourism continues to support and invest in our culinary workforce, as well as the source of our food, through training, upskilling, and platforms that elevate our regional identities.”
Terra Madre Asia & Pacific 2025, hosted by Slow Food International in partnership with the DOT, the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental, the City of Bacolod, and other national agencies, is set to run from November 19-23 at the Provincial Capitol Lagoon in Bacolod City.
The event brings together local producers, farmers, fisherfolk, food communities, chefs, policymakers, and advocates from the Asia-Pacific region. They will exchange knowledge and advance the global call for a more sustainable food future.
As a highlight of the gathering, the DOT has organized the Slow Food Travel Pavilion and Street Food Booths, offering attendees immersive food experiences, local dishes, traditional delicacies, and beverages from all regions of the Philippines.
Secretary Frasco concluded with a powerful message on the cultural and economic significance of food.
“As we gather for Terra Madre Asia Pacific, we are reminded that food is not only nourishment. It is memory, tradition, livelihood, and responsibility,” she said. “It binds us across cultures and geography. It challenges us to build systems that honor people and protect the planet. And it opens doors for deeper regional collaboration, because the future of food in Asia-Pacific is shared.”
