• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
With 17 percent of tourist spending devoted to food, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said the hosting of Terra Madre Asia and Pacific 2025 will have a positive effect on the economy.
It is also an opportunity to increase further the income of local chefs, artisans, farmers, fisherfolk, and local producers in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental, she added.
The five-day Terra Madre Asia and Pacific, which opened at Provincial Capitol Lagoon Nov. 19 is bringing in an estimated 2,000 delegates from more than 20 countries.
Frasco said it features diversity of Filipino cuisine, not only in Negros but all over the country.
The event also features a variety of activities aimed at championing biodiversity, food sovereignty, and sustainable food systems.
In his message, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson emphasized the province’s long-standing commitment to sustainable agriculture.
“It is an intentional decision to align our Organic Festival with Terra Madre,” Lacson said. “This synergy allows chefs from across Asia and the Pacific to source directly from our farmers and highlight the richness of our island’s produce.”
“This is a good time to show the world the richness of our land and sea, and the quality of our farm products,” he added.
Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya highlighted the cultural and ancestral roots of food, calling it “a living record of identity.”
“Here in Bacolod and Negros, our landscapes carry the work of generations of farmers. Our coastlines sustain families who live by the rhythm of the sea. Our kitchens preserve stories handed down across time,” he told the delegates.
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Secretary Jose Francisco Benitez described the gathering as more than symbolic — calling it a defining moment for Negros and the future of food in the region.
Benitez said Negrenses are no longer just participants, noting that they are now taking the lead in food and gastronomy.
“Food security is important, but food sovereignty — communities controlling their own food systems — is even more powerful,” he said.
Bacolod Lone District Rep. Alfredo Benitez declared the highly-urbanized city as the perfect home for Terra Madre.
Benitez said the Slow Food movement calls people back to the essentials — quality over quantity, process over shortcuts, and nourishment over convenience.
“We honor farmers, artisans, and cooks — the people who pour time, talent, and heart into every ingredient,” he said.
Negros Occidental 3rd District Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez said the Terra Made showcases the excellence of Filipino cuisine on an international stage.
“Let’s support our homegrown talent and celebrate the creativity and flavor of the Filipino people,” he added. | GB
