From Michelin to Terra Madre, the Philippines is stepping confidently into the global spotlight as Asia’s rising culinary capital. Fresh from the historic debut of the Michelin Guide in the country, the Department of Tourism is once again placing Filipino cuisine on the world stage by hosting the first-ever Terra Madre Asia and the Pacific, the regional edition of the world’s most influential sustainable food gathering. The event runs from November 19 to 23 at the Provincial Capitol Lagoon in Bacolod City, transforming Negros Occidental into the epicenter of Asia’s slow food movement.
Presented in collaboration with Slow Food International, the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental, the City of Bacolod, and key national agencies, Terra Madre Asia & Pacific reinforces the Philippines’ growing reputation as a premier destination for gastronomy tourism. It arrives at a moment of momentum for the country following Michelin’s historic recognition of Filipino restaurants, strengthening its path toward becoming a global culinary capital under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
The Philippines’ hosting of Terra Madre is rooted in its abundant agricultural heritage and diverse food traditions, signaling a significant step toward promoting sustainable, inclusive, and community-centered gastronomy. Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco emphasized that the celebration is as much about honoring Filipino creativity as it is about empowering local communities, farmers, and indigenous producers. She described the event as a gateway for the world to experience Filipino stories through ingredients, dishes, and the warmth of local hospitality. She said the partnership between the DOT and Slow Food positions Bacolod, Negros, and the entire country as a vibrant hub for gastronomy tourism, inviting the world to discover the diversity of Philippine cuisine and the cultural richness that shapes every plate.
A key attraction is the Slow Food Travel Pavilion, curated by the DOT to spotlight immersive, community-based food experiences from the Cordilleras, Manila, Cavite, Cebu, Capiz, and Boracay. A bustling street food lane highlights unique regional dishes and cooking traditions from across the archipelago, including specialties from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. All participating concessionaires adhere closely to Slow Food principles, showcasing heirloom ingredients, sustainable practices, and local ingenuity.
Held under the theme “From Soil to Sea: A Slow Food Journey Through Tastes & Traditions,” the gathering brings together farmers, fisherfolk, artisans, chefs, cooks, producers, policymakers, and advocates from across the Asia-Pacific. The event serves as a platform for sharing knowledge, strengthening food communities, and advancing global conversations on sustainability.
Bacolod City, with more than 20,000 hectares devoted to organic agriculture, provides a strategic and symbolic setting for the event. Negros Occidental, home to a 32,000-hectare marine reserve, contributes its diverse seafood and time-honored fishing practices that protect marine biodiversity. Secretary Frasco noted that hosting Terra Madre in the City of Smiles offers visitors not just exceptional flavors but also a glimpse into the Filipino way of life, shaped by culture, community, and genuine hospitality.
Throughout the celebration, tourists can enjoy chef-led demonstrations, culinary showcases, and mixology events highlighting the food and beverage landscape of the region. Slow Food Travel tours allow visitors to explore local destinations and engage directly with producers and food communities, while the Community Kitchen brings together cooks from all 61 barangays of Bacolod to share homegrown dishes and traditions. An organic market connects farmers and artisanal producers with buyers, creating opportunities for inclusive economic growth.
Founded in Italy in 1989, the Slow Food movement promotes clean, good, and fair food, safeguards indigenous food cultures, and deepens public understanding of food’s cultural and ecological role. With the Philippines now hosting Terra Madre Asia and the Pacific—and with Michelin’s entry opening new doors for Filipino restaurants—the country is solidifying its place on the world culinary map, driven by heritage, innovation, and the enduring passion of its people.
