MANILA, Nov. 19 -- The inaugural Terra Madre Asia and Pacific, jointly hosted by this highly urbanized city and the province of Negros Occidental, puts a spotlight on the emerging slow food communities in the Philippines.

The five-day event, which opened on Wednesday at the Provincial Capitol Lagoon here, is a celebration of good, clean and fair food, gathering farmers, fishers, chefs, indigenous leaders and advocates from more than 20 countries.

In her message, Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco thanked the international delegates for engaging in the journey of discovery and the wonders of the Philippines.

"We are all united by our shared mission: to nurture sustainable, inclusive, and community-related foo...