Tourism Secretary Maria Christina Frasco joined city officials on Saturday, Sept. 27, in inviting residents of Metro Manila and beyond to visit Bacolod City for the MassKara Festival in October and the first-ever Terra Madre Asia and Pacific gathering in November.
Frasco spoke at the Bacolod Day at the 39th Negros Trade Fair (NTF) at the SMX Convention Center Aura in Taguig City, where the MassKara Festival was officially launched.
She was joined by Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, Mayor Greg Gasataya, and other city officials, who issued similar invitations.
“To our friends here in Metro Manila and far and wide, I invite all of you to come to Bacolod City and to Negros. Taste its cuisine, walk its heritage streets, join the MassKara Festival, dive into its seas, join us for Terra Madre Asia Pacific and be embraced by the warmth of the Negrenses and the smiles of the people of Bacolod,” Frasco said.
Frasco also congratulated the members of the Association of Negros Producers for the NTF and for their commitment to celebrating Negrense culture while ensuring that growth is shared across all communities.
“It demonstrates that the Negrense spirit does not simply endure and persevere, it redefines challenges and opportunities into innovation,” she said.
“At the DOT, we are determined to amplify your voices. We have worked to equalize tourism development across the country, ensuring that opportunities reach not just our main gateways but also communities across our nation,” Frasco added.
She also highlighted that in November, Bacolod will take the global stage as the host of the Terra Madre Asia Pacific, where Negros will showcase its gastronomy and agricultural heritage before the world.
“This recognition affirms that Negros is not just a source for sweetness for the Philippines but also a source for inspiration to the world,” she said.
“Tourism is not only about numbers, it is about people…It is an economic driver and a cultural mission to showcase the best of our country,” Frasco added.
Gasataya, who also invited the Metro Manila audience to the MassKara Festival, thanked Frasco for her support for Bacolod.
Benitez said the Terra Madre Asia Pacific event will showcase the food of Bacolod, which is being positioned as the gastronomy center in the Philippines and the Asia Pacific.
He said 23 countries are joining the Terra Madre Asia Pacific.*
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