Terra Madre Asia Pacific, Part I

On Nov. 19-23, 2025, all roads will lead to Bacolod, Negros Occidental for the celebration of Terra Madre Asia Pacific, and every other year (odd years) thereafter, alternating with Terra Madre Salone del Gusto in Turin, Italy, which is celebrated every other year on even years (next one is 2026).

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Why is this an exciting development? This event will gather food producers, activists, and consumers in Asia Pacific right in our backyard. Those who have not had a chance to go to Italy for Terra Madre can now participate in Bacolod, where a Slow Food office will even be set up.

We were talking to Reena Gamboa, SF Asia Pacific Terra Madre executive director, about how this will impact the access to good, clean, and fair food in this part of the world. Whereas before we had to fly across to Europe, there now is an option to come to the Philippines and experience Terra Madre, while also learning about our country, and that is good for tourism and trade. No wonder the Department of Tourism is in full support of this endeavor.

One thing more, the event is open to everyone free of charge, except for taste workshops which have limited seating and where special menus may be served. I remember signing up for a taste workshop in Italy where you can taste different kinds of prosciutto, for example, from different regions and learn what makes their tastes vary. We, the Slow Food Philippines team, also held a taste workshop to introduce our different heirloom rice varieties from Kalinga, cooked as arroz caldo, champorado, and risotto.