Balesin Island Club head clarifies that ‘yaya’s meal’ only an option

The head of the exclusive Balesin Island Club clarified on Monday that its "yaya's meal" is merely an option for the resort's guests.

In a statement posted on the resort's Facebook page, Balesin Island Club CEO and Island Director Mike M. Asperin stressed that the "yaya's meal" will never be served unless instructed by the guest.

He also said that the yayas of the Club's guests have the option—if permitted by their employer—to order any meal they like.

"If the guest or member chooses to have the Club serve the 'yaya' tenderloin steak and lobster thermidor, we will gladly serve it to the yaya," said Asperin.

"Any talk of discrimination is inappropriate," he also said.

The resort came under fire when beauty queen Maggie Wilson-Consunji complained about the "yaya's meal" in a post on her Facebook account.

She said that their server barred her mother from ordering the same meal her son's nanny ordered, saying it was a "yaya's meal."

Although the management cleared up the matter with Consunji, she said she still found it offensive that Balesin is even offering the "yaya's meal" as an option.

"[T]he fact that there are people who don't want their yayas to eat whatever they want to is beyond me. Hence the resort having to offer a 'yaya's meal'. I still find that offensive," she said.

Asperin insisted that the "yaya's meals" are not second-rate.

"Incidentally, the yayas are thrilled with their meals because these are deliciously prepared by our chefs, as well, for our operating staff at Balesin," he said.

'Yaya's meal' does not violate Labor Code

Unang Hirit's resident lawyer Gaby Concepcion said that having "yaya's meals" as an option does not mean that the establishment or the employers of the help are guilty of discrimination, at least not in the eyes of the law.

In fact, she said, the "yaya's meal" does not violate the Labor Code of the Philippines.



"Kahit hindi magandang pakinggan masyado, hindi naman nangangahulugan na ito naman ay labag sa batas," said Concepcion.

The lawyer went on to say that the Labor Code prohibits discrimination against race, religion, gender, or persons with disability.

Concepcion also noted the responsibilities of the employers according to the Republic Act No. 10361 or the Kasambahay Law.

Read: What you should know about the Kasambahay Law

"Kung titignan sa Kasambahay Law, ang responsibilidad po ng isang employer ay siguraduhin po na hindi magugutom si yaya," she said.

"Hindi porket nagsi-steak or caviar tayo, ganoon din ang papakain natin sa staff natin... Let's not sweat the small stuff. It's a small issue and I don't think na nilalabag [nito] ang dignidad ng ating mga kasambahay or ating yaya," she added.

The lawyer also pointed out that maybe the help would not want to eat the meal served to her employer.

"So it's good that there is actually a very, very decent option available," she said. — Trisha Macas/BM, GMA News