Home
/
News and Updates
FRASCO FORGES COMMITMENT TO MAKING PH AN INT’L GASTRONOMIC HUB; ANNOUNCES HOSTING OF THE INAUGURAL TERRA MADRE ASIA PACIFIC 2025
Bacolod City, Negros Occidental—The Department of Tourism (DOT) has signified its commitment to making the Philippines an international gastronomy hub, as Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco formally announces the hosting of the Philippines to the prestigious and inaugural Terra Madre Asia Pacific which will be held next year in Bacolod City, now recognized as the Slow Food International Hub for Asia Pacific.
Terra Madre is a key part of Slow Food, a global grassroots organization founded in 1989, aimed at safeguarding food cultures and traditions, countering the fast-paced lifestyle, and rekindling people’s connection to the food they consume. It also encourages a deeper understanding of food’s role in society. Since its inception, the movement has grown to attract millions of people across over 160 countries, advocating for access to food that is good, clean, and fair for all.
According to Slow Food, food is not only about sustenance but is also intricately linked to culture, politics, agriculture, and the environment. Through mindful food choices, individuals can collectively influence how food is cultivated, produced, and distributed, thus fostering positive change on a global scale.
Under the leadership of Secretary Frasco, the DOT, through its cultural tourism team, is actively developing food and gastronomy tourism as one of its priority sub-sectors, with the commitment to preserving and promoting Filipino cuisine as an essential part of the nation’s cultural heritage. Part of its efforts is incorporating Slow Food principles to promote sustainable tourism within the food and gastronomy sector.
“With gastronomy tourism ranking very high in the priorities of the Department of Tourism under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., whose vision is one of tourism transformation, the Slow Food movement in the Philippines is increasing the value proposition of our destinations while fostering regeneration of our natural resources and ingredients, and expanding economic opportunities one meaningful and delicious dish at a time,” the Secretary said in her speech during the 2nd Terra Madre Visayas regional hosting on Thursday (Nov. 21) in Negros Occidental.
The tourism chief then relayed the good news that the Philippines has been chosen to host the inaugural Terra Madre Asia Pacific next year in Bacolod City.
“The culmination of your efforts to the hosting of Terra Madre Asia Pacific next year is only the beginning of the ascension in the Philippines as a hub for gastronomy in the world, for this is the vision of our President of the Philippines, becoming Asia’s next tourism powerhouse where tourists come to the Philippines, stay longer, spend more, savor our delicious dishes, and uncover the very many reasons to love Philippines,” she told the Negrense stakeholders.
For their part, local government executives thanked the DOT for its efforts in advancing tourism in Negros Occidental and expressed their continued support.
“To Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, we are honored by your steadfast support. Your endorsement of Bacolod City as the host of the Terra Madre Asia Pacific in 2025 signifies the national government’s commitment to uplifting local communities through sustainable and responsible tourism. The Terra Madre Slow Food Movement celebrates something near and dear to the hearts of the Negrenses–the preservation of biodiversity, the promotion of globally sourced food, and the empowerment of small-scale farmers, fisherfolks, and food artisans,” Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said.
“Negros is widely considered a Slow Food Hub in Asia, and Bacolod and Negros are not only Slow Food Hubs, but also one of the most biodiverse and unique food available in the entire Philippines. We are also very proud of the support that we have here with all our stakeholders, but I know that none of this will be possible without the support of the Department of Tourism,” Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez said, who is also the Negros Association of Chief Executives (ACE), Inc. President.
“We are very happy that we will be hosting the very first ever Asia Pacific Slow Food next year. It is also made possible because of Secretary Frasco,” Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said.
-30-
PHOTOS:
Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco joins Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, and Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez during the ceremonial mixing of ingredients of KBL—kadios, baboy, langka—a dish that embodies the culinary and cultural heritage of Negros.
Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco delivers her keynote address during the 2nd Terra Madre Visayas hosting in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.
Published:November 22, 2024
Recent News
