(CNN Philippines) — Two words started it all: yaya or nanny, and meal.
Put together, the phrase took on a connotation that left a bad taste in the mouths of social media activists.
Contrary to previous reports, there is no such dish that’s specifically labeled as the “yaya meal” — the controversial term that drew flak from netizens in the past few days because of what they consider ‘discriminating’ and ‘offensive.’
But the posh Balesin Island Club in Quezon province, where the issue started, does offer a “budget meal” of sorts, which is available upon the request of any guest — nannies included.
It just so happens that the budget dish is usually served to staff of club members who stay on the island with their employers, whether they be nannies, assistants, babysitters, or family drivers.
“We never labeled it the ‘yaya meal.’ Perhaps it was a misinterpretation or miswording that could be attributed to the waiter involved in the incident,” said a former staff of the resort during an exclusive phone interview with CNN Philippines on Tuesday night (April 7).
The source, who refused to be identified, was referring to an incident that went viral on social media last Saturday (April 4) when a waiter of the resort supposedly coined the term “yaya meal” as he took the orders of the companions of Binibining Pilipinas-World 2007 and fashion designer Maggie Wilson-Consunji.
Related: Balesin Island Club explains why ‘Yaya Meal’ exists
“We were never informed that we had a dish called the ‘yaya meal.’ I worked in the kitchen, so I would know if there was such a thing — that would have been in the inventory,” the source said.
The source further explained that what has been dubbed as the “yaya meal” is not strictly chicken or pork adobo. It might be what is readily available in the kitchen, or it could be the same dish that will be served in the employees’ cafeteria for that day.
The former Balesin staff added that guests are also given the option to let their staff eat with resort employees in their cafeteria for an added fee. The package includes three meals a day for P200.
In a statement posted on the resort’s Facebook page on Monday (April 6), CEO and Island Director Mike Asperin said that the “yaya meal” is merely “an accommodation.”
Asperin’s statement was echoed by the source, who said that the “budget meal” in question is an off-menu option for guests who ask for it.
This affordable meal, according to the source, is there for two practical reasons:
Guests’ staff (nannies or drivers) usually prefer something with rice. Restaurants inside the resort’s themed villages offer a particular menu, each reflecting its assigned theme.
It’s merely an option for those who would prefer to spend less on a meal. Again, there is emphasis on the word, “option.”
The Balesin Island Club is a 500-hectare members-only luxury resort, which features seven themed villages: Balesin, Bali, Phuket, Mykonos, St. Tropez, Costa del Sol, and Toscana.
The source also explained that since the dishes served in the village depend on the country it represents, the Mykonos village, for example, would be expected to serve a wide array of Greek cuisine. Other restaurants also take on a single theme.
And by the way, Wilson-Consunji did not specifically state in any of her public Facebook (FB) posts that the “yaya meal” offered to them was adobo, as reported by others.
