Pinay chef gives Bush a paunch

HANOI — Diplomatic ties between the United States and the Philippines are getting stronger, just as the size of US President George W. Bush’s waistline is growing because of the delicious dishes whipped up by his Filipino-American chef.

"Commenting on the good relations between the Philippines and the United States, the US President said this is so especially since the cook in the White House is a Filipino-American and if you notice the paunch, it’s because the food is very, very good," Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye quoted the US leader as telling President Arroyo.

The two leaders met at the sidelines of the 14th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Summit here.

The Pinay chef mentioned is Cristeta Comerford, the executive chef at the White House.

The 42-year-old Comerford, a veteran of the White House kitchen for 10 years, was selected last August by US First Lady Laura Bush after screening hundreds of applicants for six months.

She was described as even-tempered and unflappable by her predecessor Walter Scheib.

Comerford was born Cristeta Gomez Pasia on Oct. 27, 1962. Her father, Honesto, was an assistant principal in a public elementary school in Manila while her mother, Erlinda, was a homemaker.

She finished grade school at the Padre Gomez Elementary School in Sta. Cruz, Manila and her secondary education at the Manila Science High School.

Comerford studied food technology at the University of the Philippines in Diliman in 1979.

The meeting between Bush and Mrs. Arroyo, which lasted a little over 10 minutes at the Hanoi International Convention Center, followed the hour-long discussion Bush had with heads of states of Asian countries.

Present during the meeting were US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Trade Secretary Peter Favila and members of each side’s delegations.

Bunye described the talks as "affable" even as more serious topics were discussed such as counter-terrorism cooperation and negotiations for a free trade agreement.

Mrs. Arroyo commented that Bush "looked good" and "rested" despite his grueling schedule in recent weeks, to which the American leader said he was looking forward to going back to his sprawling Texas ranch for Thanksgiving. He added that Mrs. Arroyo also "looks good."

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Erlinda Basilio said Bush patted Mrs. Arroyo on the back as they stood up and ended their meeting. — Paolo Romero