Terra Madre Asia & Pacific (TMAP) 2025 will feature 16 esteemed mixologists from around the world, taking place from November 19 to 23 at the Provincial Capitol Park and Lagoon in Bacolod City. The event marks a major moment for sustainable gastronomy by elevating the Asia-Pacific’s distinct regional flavors onto an international stage.
With these acclaimed mixologists and over 100 world-class chefs participating, TMAP 2025 will further cement Bacolod City’s reputation as a “Center for Sustainable Gastronomy” and celebrate Negros Occidental’s legacy as the “Organic Capital of the Philippines.” Bacolod City and Negros Occidental’s rich culinary heritage and deep agricultural roots make it the ideal host, bringing the spirit of Terra Madre to life by safeguarding local biodiversity, empowering small-scale farmers, and championing good, clean, and fair food for all.
TMAP 2025 Executive Director Reena Gamboa announced that one key event in the five-day festival is called “Slow Drinks,” where participating mixologists will partner directly with local farmers. This initiative aims to foster collaboration in creating distinctive cocktails and other beverages using locally sourced ingredients. She highlighted the philosophy behind this special event, stating, “The Slow Food movement champions good, clean, and fair food—even in drinks.” This emphasizes a commitment to sustainability, ethical sourcing, and community collaboration within the beverage industry.
The international mixologists expected to come are Danny Childs (USA) – Ethnobotanist, mixologist, and author of James Beard Award-winning book, Slow Drinks; Danny Park and Rachel Shin (South Korea) – General Manager and Bartender at Zest Seoul, crowned Best Bar in Korea, ranked No. 2 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025 and No. 16 on the World’s 50 Best Bars 2025;
Agung Prabowo (Hong Kong/Indonesia) – Co-founder of pioneering bars The Old Man and PENICILLIN, recognized as Asia’s Best Bar 2019 and winner of the 2021 Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award (Asia’s 50 Best Bars); Sasha Wijidessa (Singapore/Denmark) – Co-founder and Drinks Lead at FURA, winner of Asia’s 50 Best Bars’ Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award (2024) and one of Tatler’s Best Bars in Asia-Pacific 2025;
Daniel Nguyen (Việt Nam/USA) – Founder and Master Distiller of Sông Cái Distillery, Việt Nam’s first terroir-driven gin house, Country Winner of the World Gin Awards 2025; Renate Spurlock (USA) – Bar Manager at Kaya Orlando and Bayani Bar, the first restaurant in Florida to receive a Michelin Green Star (2024);
Anna Ye (Việt Nam/USA) – Founder of Anna Ye Tea, one of Imbibe’s 75 to Watch in 2024; and Rishot Laloo (India) – Head Mixologist at Shad Skye Shillong, ranked among the Best Bars in India 2024.
The Philippine-based mixologists are Niko Tiutan (Metro Manila) – Co-founder and Beverage Director of ITO Space; named Tatler’s Best Philippines Rising Star in the bars category, and recognized among Tatler’s Best 100 Bars in Asia Pacific 2025 and Best 20 Bars in the Philippines 2025; Ron Cruz (Metro Manila) – Co-owner of Fat Cat, winner of Tatler’s Bar of the Year in the Philippines 2025, Best 100 Bars in Asia-Pacific 2025 and Campari Red Hands Asia Philippine finalist;
Aly Lorenzo (Quezon City) – first Filipina to win the Diageo World Class Philippines Bartender of the Year (2023) and a global Tanqueray No. Ten Challenge champion, head mixologist at Xi by Café Guilt; Frances Ang (Metro Manila) – Head Bartender of the soon-to-open Flora Tea House; MONIN Cup Philippines 2024 champion and the first female bartender at Manila Marriott Hotel;
Ken Alonso (Ilocos Norte / Metro Manila) – founder and mixologist behind Proudly Promdi, a platform for community-made Philippine spirits, wines, and cocktail experiences; Kalel Demetrio (Metro Manila) – Forager-Mixologist and co-founder of Agimat/Alamat and the new Alab Distillery; and Jessey Qi (Siargao Island) – Owner-Operator and Bar Manager of Last Chance, named one of Tatler’s 20 Best Bars in the Philippines for 2025.
BAR TAKEOVERS
Selected mixologists will participate in special Bar Takeovers, where Bacolod’s finest bars will collaborate with global talent on Terra Madre Week.
Experience an unforgettable week of cocktails and collaboration as four renowned mixologists take over Bacolod’s top bars:
Nov. 20 at Qanto: Forager-Mixologist Kalel Demetrio (Philippines). No reservations needed; first-come, first-served.
Nov. 21 at Nooma: Fura’s Sasha Wijidessa and Christina Rasmussen (Singapore, Sri Lanka, Denmark), from an Asia’s 50 Best Bar-listed establishment. Reservations required.
Nov. 22 at Portiko: James Beard award-winning book author Danny Childs. Reservations required.
FIRST IN ASIA-PACIFIC
Terra Madre (Italian for “Mother Earth”) and its main event, Terra Madre Salone del Gusto (“Hall of Taste”) is an international biennial festival.*
