Meet Our Speakers
Public Talks & Conferences
Bea Crisostomo
(Dumaguete)
Slow Food Community Leader for Dumaguete, leading youth-driven initiatives on food literacy, zero waste, and agroecology. She works with students, young farmers, and local groups to strengthen sustainable food systems in the region.
Sayu Comang
(Indonesia)
Slow Food Indonesia leader and indigenous community organizer from East Nusa Tenggara, working with local farmers and fisherfolk to preserve traditional food knowledge, promote food sovereignty, and revive endangered crop varieties.
Doreen Alicia Gamboa
(Negros Occidental)
The Executive Director of Slow Food Philippines and longtime leader in the Slow Food movement. She is also the president of the Slow Food Community of Negros Island and has led efforts to map endangered local ingredients, support small-scale producers, and promote heritage cuisine through Earth Markets and Terra Madre events.
Ige Ramos
(Cavite)
Multi-awarded food writer, culinary historian, and author of “Republic of Taste” and several regional cookbooks, known for his research on Filipino culinary heritage, food memory, and pre-colonial gastronomic traditions.
Harold Buenvenida
(SF Community in Capiz)
An educator and biodiversity advocate at Capiz State University. With a PhD in Science Education (Biology), he focuses on ecology and conservation, especially in coastal ecosystems. Beyond science, he actively promotes the Slow Food movement in Capiz, championing local food traditions, sustainability, and cultural heritage.
Raymond Macapagal
(SF Community in Lake Sebu)
A food studies scholar and Assistant Professor at UP Diliman, he teaches gastronomy and researches heritage and indigenous foodways. He is involved in the Slow Food movement in Lake Sebu, supporting indigenous communities and sustainable food traditions.
DOT VI Regional Director Crisanta Rodriguez
(Western Visayas)
Regional Director for the Department of Tourism – Western Visayas, leading sustainable tourism initiatives across the region.
Helen Javier Arguelles
(Sagay City, Negros Occidental)
Helen Arguelles is the Tourism Officer of Sagay City, where she champions sustainable tourism rooted in the Slow Food philosophy. She works closely with local communities to promote traditional food, support small producers, and preserve culinary heritage through initiatives that connect food, culture, and biodiversity.
Marco Lobregat
(Metro Manila)
Founder of The Ministry of Mushrooms and advocate for regenerative agriculture, championing the use of fungi in food innovation, ecological design, and urban farming across the Philippines and Southeast Asia.
Chris Angway
(North Luzon)
Indigenous cultural worker and food systems advocate from Northern Luzon, specializing in the documentation of traditional foodways, seed saving practices, and the revitalization of community rituals tied to agriculture.