Claudine says Gretchen should mind her own lovelife

CLAUDINE Barretto is glad to be a guest in her husband Raymart Santiago’s hit show, "Bantatay." "Nag-guest din naman siya sa drama show ko noon and also, our kids and I are really fans of ‘Bantatay’ as we watch it nightly," she says when ‘Showbiz Central’ interviewed her on the show’s set in Subic. "So when they invited me sa show, I said yes agad to support my husband. But si James Blanco ang katambal ko rito. I play a vet who’ll help Bantay. Tuwang-tuwa nga mga anak namin when they learned I’ll appear with their dad."

How does she feel about persistent rumors of their marital breakup?


"Paulit-ulit na nga, nakakapagod na. Somehow, kahit ayaw mo patulan, you get affected as friends call to ask kung totoo. So explain ka nang explain na hindi."

It’s said the insinuations about their alleged rocky marriage come from one of her own family members. When Gretchen was asked about it, her reply is she doesn’t want to say anything "dahil ayoko magsinungaling," which implies that something is really wrong. "Para namang labas-masok siya sa bahay namin and she knows everything. It’s better kung ang sariling lovelife na lang niya ang pansinin niya, huwag na ang buhay namin."

article source: filipinoreporter.us

Lochte Takes Gold in Medley; Phelps Is 4th

LONDON — For nearly a decade Ryan Lochte chased Michael Phelps in the pool, picking up bronzes to Phelps’s golds. But all the while, Lochte has been closing the gap, second by precious second.

Lochte took away one of Phelps’s world records, then his world championships.

On Saturday night, he raced past him on the stage Phelps has dominated since 2004.

Lochte crushed Phelps and the rest of the field to win the 400-meter individual medley at the London Aquatics Centre, finishing in 4 minutes 5.18 seconds. Thiago Pereira of Brazil was second in 4:08.86, edging Kosuke Hagino of Japan, who won the bronze.

Phelps — trailing most of the race and caught by Pereira and Hagino in the freestyle, one of his strongest strokes — finished fourth, more than four seconds behind Lochte.

After the race, while Lochte lounged in the pool accepting congratulations from other swimmers, Phelps was the first one out of the water. He slowly walked across the pool deck, never glancing at Lochte. But Lochte said he later offered his congratulations in the locker room and thanked him for keeping the medal in American hands.

“I kind of made Phelps sound like a jerk, and I think he was just massively disappointed,” Lochte said.

Lochte’s victory over Phelps was his first in four head-to-head races at the Olympics dating to 2004, and gave him a leg up at last in their decade-long rivalry. Lochte was 10 seconds behind Phelps in the 400 I.M. at the 2004 Olympic trials, but had cut that deficit in half by the time he won a bronze behind Phelps in Beijing.

This year Lochte beat Phelps by 0.83 second at the trials, and his victory Saturday night seemed to signal that the torch-passing complete.

Phelps was trying to become the first man to win gold in the same swimming event in three consecutive Olympics, but he is not out of chances. He is also the two-time defending champion in the 200 individual medley — a race in which he will again face Lochte — as well as the 100 butterfly and the 200 fly.

His defeat was his first in an Olympic final since 2004, a run of 12 straight gold medals that has made him the most decorated Olympic swimmer.

The showdown between Phelps, the world-record holder in the event since 2002, and Lochte, his colorful heir apparent on the United States team, was the first marquee matchup of the London Games, but it almost did not happen. Phelps qualified eighth in 4:13.33, coming from behind on the final lap to touch out Laszlo Cseh of Hungary, a two-time medalist in the event, in their preliminary heat. Lochte, meanwhile, coasted noticeably in the final meters of his event, finishing in 4:12.35 but allowing Chad Le Clos of South Africa to surge past him.

Cseh, the silver medalist four years ago and the bronze medalist in 2004, wound up ninth, which meant he would not be able to contend for a third consecutive podium finish.

“I would not have thought this would have been the result,” Cseh said.

The preliminary times meant Phelps and Lochte, instead of staring at one another across a lane rope, were on opposite sides of the pool in the final, with Lochte in Lane 3 and Phelps in Lane 8. There would be no staredown, no “cat and mouse game,” as Phelps once described their temptation in their many duels. More important, Phelps would have a harder time tracking all of his rivals from his position far to their right.

“The only thing that matters is getting a spot,” Phelps said after the morning session.

source: nytimes.com

No. 1 island prepares for Boracay Newcoast

MANILA, Philippines - It was only a matter of time. From No. 4 last year, Boracay Island has surged to No. 1 island in the world, according to British magazine Travel + Leisure.





With an aggregate score of 93.10, Boracay bested runner-up Bali and the previous year’s champion, Santorini, which was relegated to sixth place. Boracay was also named Asia’s Best Island, topping perennial favorites Bali and Phuket. The 2012 poll was conducted among the magazine’s jet-setting subscribers and the awards were held last July 19 at the Conrad Flagship Hotel in New York City.

It is likely that majority of the 700,000 foreign tourists who visited Boracay in the first half of the year — a 41 percent rise over the same period in 2011 — thoroughly enjoyed their stay and had a lasting impression of the island, that is why Boracay achieved such lofty status.

Such acclaim and the continued influx of tourists will only mean two things. First, Boracay will become a more popular destination worldwide with all the goodwill from top publications like Travel + Leisure plus good word-of-mouth from millions of past visitors. Second, more hotels must be built over the next few years to accommodate the rising number of tourists and delight them with the best of Filipino hospitality.

One expansive project within Boracay will help the island reach its true tourism potential. Boracay Newcoast on the island’s eastern side will rise as its first fully master-planned tourist hub. Covering 140 hectares and an estimated 14 percent of the island’s total area, Boracay Newcoast boasts its own private beach coves with a one-km. white sand beachfront.





According to Global-Estate Resorts Inc. (GERI) vice president for marketing and project head Abraham Mercado, “Boracay Newcoast has been master planned to raise the bar of tourist experience.” GERI is the developer behind Boracay Newcoast and is the tourism arm of Filipino tycoon Andrew Tan.

Five international and local hotels are set to be built within Boracay Newcoast and add 1,500 hotel suites to Boracay’s room inventory. More rooms will be added once investors start to operate their lodging offerings at Boracay Newcoast’s Boutique Hotel district. Their guests will also enjoy access to a private beach cove.

One of Boracay Newcoast’s hotels is set to transform Boracay into the Ibiza of Asia. Home to Boracay’s first and only pool concert arena, Savoy Hotel will host various electronic dance music festivals and concerts. Overlooking the pool and bar area is a 400-square-meter dance roof deck capping a row of commercial establishments.

Oceanway Residences, the first residential condominium cluster in Boracay, enjoys a prime location tucked between two greens of Fairways & Bluewater — the only championship golf course on the island — with resplendent views of the private white beach coves and Sibuyan Sea.

Over at the Shophouse District, tourists can stock up on Boracay souvenirs, dine on the freshest seafood, or schedule a dive to check out the island’s marine treasures, among others.

Guests who fall in love with the Boracay experience may opt for a permanent home at Newcoast Village, Boracay Newcoast’s first and only exclusive gated village. Mercado recommended that lot buyers take inspiration from the ocean villas in Bali, Phuket and Santorini to design their homes.

He added that with a capital-intensive and highly marketable project like Boracay Newcoast, Boracay’s long-term viability and tourism appeal are ensured for the long term.

And just as Boracay’s standing has surged within the global tourism industry, so does GERI, as the company reported an increase in reservation sales to P3 billion for the first five months of the year during its annual stockholders meeting last June 28. This means that investors have warmed up to the potential of integrated tourism projects like Boracay Newcoast, Mercado concluded.

source: philstar.com

China claims first gold, Phelps and Lochte do battle

London (CNN) -- China claimed the first Olympic gold of the London 2012 Games Saturday, with a victory for 23-year-old Siling Yi in the women's 10-meter air rifle shooting.

Meanwhile, rival American swimmers Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte are set to go head-to-head in a battle that will be a highlight of the first official day of the Games.

And Albanian weightlifter Hysen Pulaku became the first athlete to be sanctioned for failing an anti-doping test at the London Games.

Pulaku, 20, tested positive on Monday for the steroid stanozolol, the International Olympic Committee said, and has been excluded from the competition.

Queen Elizabeth II, who officially declared the Games open late Friday, made an appearance at the Aquatics Center Saturday to watch the action.

Phelps and Lochte are competing in the men's 400-meter individual medley -- a race that combines four different swimming strokes -- after both made it through the heats to the final, Phelps only by a whisker.

The 27-year-old Phelps, who already has 14 gold medals from previous Games, is looking to add to his pot of Olympic gold.

Lochte, thought of as the biggest threat to Phelps, is hoping to live up to the hype.

The highly anticipated match-up has had many choosing sides.

Presumptive GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney said he was leaning towards Phelps.

"I think it's more likely to be Phelps but I don't know," Romney said Friday during the opening ceremony.

Legendary swimmer Mark Spitz, winner of seven medals at the 1972 Olympics, said he thinks Phelps' experience will help him in the grueling 400-meter individual medley.

"I put my money on Michael," Spitz said. "It's going to be a good race. Any time they are swimming together it is going to be a great rivalry. A great competition."

But the Phelps-Lochte race is not the only highly anticipated swimming showdown Saturday.

The hosts will get to cheer for their own when Hannah Miley competes in the women's 400-meter individual medley. Miley, who has been called one of Britain's best swimmers, could be challenged by American Elizabeth Beisel and Hungarian Katinka Hosszu.

Team USA's Dana Vollmer set a new Games best of 56.25 seconds in the heats of the women's 100-meter butterfly.

Britain's hopes are high for a medal in Saturday's 250-kilometer cycling road race, in which newly-crowned Tour de France champion Bradley Wiggins is expected to aid fellow Briton Mark Cavendish's quest for Olympic gold.

Rowing, another sport in which Britain hopes to excel, also got under way Saturday morning on the lake in Eton Dorney, to the west of London.

Women's basketball begins

Beijing bronze medal winner Russia squared off against Canada Saturday as women's basketball got under way. Later in the day, Team USA plays Croatia.

All teams may be trying to keep the U.S. women from winning their fourth straight gold medal. In fact, at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, the 2004 Games in Athens and in Sydney in 2000, the gold medal match-up pitted Australia versus the United States.

Australia, led by 6-foot-5 Lauren Jackson, starts play late Saturday against Team GB.

Women footballers get the ball, men take a break

Women's football comes to the fore Saturday as the men take a break, with Team GB taking on Cameroon fresh from the host nation's rousing 1-0 victory over New Zealand.

Some 25,000 fans showed up to Wednesday's match against New Zealand, the biggest attendance for a women's international match in Britain.

Current FIFA Women's World Cup holder Japan kicked off against Sweden Saturday, with both teams coming off Wednesday victories. Team USA plays Colombia, after surviving a scare against France Wednesday.

source: CNN

Hackers could haunt global air traffic control – researcher

LAS VEGAS — Air traffic control software used around the world could be exploited by hackers to unleash squadrons of ghost planes to befuddle those entrusted to keep the skies safe, a security researcher said Thursday.

Cyprus-based Andrei Costin demonstrated his findings at a Black Hat gathering of cyber defenders that ends Thursday in Las Vegas.

“This is for information only,” Costin said as he outlined how someone with modest tech skills and about $2,000 worth of electronics could vex air traffic controllers or even stalk celebrities traveling in private jets.

“Everything you do is at your own risk.”

Costin’s target was an ADS-B system in place for aircraft to communicate with one another and with air traffic control systems at airports.

The system, which has been rolled out internationally in recent years in a multi-billion dollar upgrade, was designed to better track aircraft so airport traffic can flow more efficiently.

A perilous flaw is that the system is not designed to verify who is actually sending a message, meaning that those with malicious intent can impersonate aircraft either as pranks or to cause mayhem, according to Costin.

“There is no provision to make sure a message is genuine,” he said.

“It is basically an inviting opportunity for any attacker with medium technical knowledge.”

Air traffic controllers faced with a signal from a fake airplane resort to cross-checking flight plans, putting relevant portions of air space off limits while they work.

“Imagine you inject a million planes; you don’t have that many people to cross-check,” Costin said. “You can do a human resource version of a denial of service attack on an airport.”

Denial of service attacks commonly used by hackers involve overwhelming websites with so many simultaneous online requests that they crash or slow to the point of being useless.

Aviation agencies are adept at identifying and locating “rogue transmitters” on the ground, but not at countering signals from drones or other robotic aircraft becoming more common and available, according to the researcher.

Another danger in the new-generation air traffic control system, according to Costin, is that position, velocity and other information broadcast by aircraft isn’t encrypted and can be snatched from the air.

“Basically, you can buy or build yourself a device to capture this information from airplanes,” Costin said.

He listed potential abuses including paparazzi being able to track private jets carrying celebrities or other famous people.

Costin showed how a friend was able to identify a plane broadcasting the identification numbers of Air Force One, the military jet used by the US president, and plot it on a map on an iPad.

“It can be a very profitable business model for criminals to invest a small amount of money in radios, place them around the world” and then sell jet tracking services or information about flights, the independent researcher said.

“If it was Air Force One, why does Air Force One show itself?” Costin wondered aloud. “It is a very high profile target and you don’t want everyone to know it is flying over your house.”

There are websites with databases matching aircraft registration numbers with listed owners.

source: interaksyon.com

UNDERSTANDING DIABETES

DIABETES Mellitus is a disease in which blood sugar (glucose) levels are abnormally high because the body does not produce enough of the hormone insulin or the body fails to respond to insulin.

When sugar from food is absorbed into the bloodstream, the pancreas responds by producing insulin. Insulin plays a key role in moving the sugar from the bloodstream into the cells, where it is then converted into energy. The body uses this energy to function; sugar is the fuel on which the body runs. If the body cannot adequately produce or respond to insulin, sugar cannot enter the cells, instead, sugar accumulates in the blood, and the cells must turn to other sources for energy.

Diabetes is extremely common in older people, of whom about 15 to 25% have the disease. Statistically, there are about 500 daily diagnosed cases of diabetes in the Philippines . Diabetes can lead to such complications as chest pain, (angina pectoris) and heart attacks, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, erectile dysfunction, blurred vision and blindness, pain and loss of sensation in the hands and feet, and amputation. Many of these complications arise because elevated blood sugar leads to narrowing and hardening of the blood vessels, which impairs circulation and damages tissues. These complications are even more likely in people who smoke or have high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels, both of which often accompany diabetes. Fortunately, many complications can be prevented by quitting smoking and by taking steps to control blood pressure and cholesterol levels as well as blood sugar levels.

Causes of Diabetes

Diabetes is categorized as Type I or Type II, each with a different cause. Type II diabetes is the main form of diabetes among older people. Obese older people with a family history of diabetes have the highest risk of developing type II diabetes which accounts for 90% of the entire diabetes population worldwide.

In type I diabetes, the type that usually becomes evident in childhood or young adult, the pancreas cannot produce insulin or produce tiny amount of insulin. Symptoms include intense thirst, frequent urination, extreme hunger, and rapid weight loss. It can be controlled by regular lifetime doses of insulin in the proper amounts. Keeping the balance between insulin dose and sugar intake is one of the major challenges faced by people with Type I diabetes.

Type II diabetes, also known as adult-onset diabetes, usually doesn’t appear until the early to mid forties. In most cases, the problem is not a simple lack of insulin, but a defect in the receptors for insulin in the cell walls. The body does not respond normally to the insulin produced by the pancreas. Long-term complications of Type II diabetes are similar to those of Type I, but include higher incidence of heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke. So it’s worth it to have blood sugar monitoring regularly.

The main risk factor for Type II diabetes is obesity. Obesity causes insulin resistance, possibly by increasing the blood levels of building blocks of fats and certain proteins that interfere with the action of insulin.

Aging itself puts people at higher risk of developing diabetes. As people age, insulin secretion tends to decrease slightly and insulin resistance tends to increase slightly, even among people without obesity or diabetes.

Heredity is a risk factor as well.

Signs and Symptoms

People with Type II diabetes may have no symptoms for months or even years before the disease is diagnosed. When the blood sugar level rises too high, sugar spills into the urine. The kidneys then must excrete additional water to dilute the sugar. Therefore, a person with high blood sugar urinates large volumes (Polyuria). The loss of water due to excessive urination also creates abnormal thirst (Polydipsia). Also, as the body cannot use sugar as energy, a person with diabetes may experience excessive hunger and thus eat more (Polyphagia) and yet still lose weight. Other symptoms include blurred vision, drowsiness, lightheadedness, irritability, fatigue and weakness, decreased endurance during exercise, numbness in the hands and feet, body itchiness, hard-to-heal wounds, frequent vaginal discharges, recurring skin infections, hard to maintain or achieve an erection in men.

Diagnosis and Screening

A simple blood test called Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) or Glucose test is most commonly used to make a diagnosis. The level of sugar (glucose) in the blood is measured, usually after the person has fasted for at least 8 hours. Sometimes the blood sugar level is measured randomly without regard to when the person last ate, but this is not as accurate.

In a person who does not have diabetes, blood sugar levels after fasting range from 70 to 110 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl) of blood. Diabetes is the likely diagnosis if the blood sugar level is 126 mg/dl or higher if the person fasted before the test or 200 mg/dl or higher if the test was performed at random.

People who have two or more fasting blood sugar levels between 110 and 125 mg/dl (a condition called impaired fasting glucose) should repeat the test yearly.

The diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is confirmed if any one of the following results is obtained:

Two fasting levels are 126 mg/dl or higher.

Two random levels are 200 mg/ml or higher.

Fasting level of 126 mg/dl or higher and a random level of 200 mg/dl or higher.

Prevention

Diabetes often can be prevented. Losing weight through dietary changes, increased physical activity, or both is a very effective measure. Brisk walking for 30 minutes daily is one type of beneficial physical activity.

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to maintain blood sugar levels within the normal range so as to prevent or control symptoms and reduce the risk of complications. There are maintenance drugs that could help control blood sugar levels but these are not substitute for proper diet, exercise and weight reduction.

article source: mb.com.ph

Volkswagen says net profit surged 36% in first half

BERLIN - Volkswagen, Europe's biggest car maker, said Thursday that bottom-line profits in the first half of the year soared by more than a third, leading it to confirm its upbeat forecast for 2012.

The group, which manufactures 10 makes of vehicles, reported a 36-percent rise in net profit to 8.83 billion euros ($10.71 billion) during the first six months of 2012 and saw a 23-percent rise in turnover to 95.38 billion euros.

Meanwhile operating profit jumped nearly seven percent to 6.50 billion euros after the group sold 4.6 million vehicles around the globe.

But it said that heightened competition and uncertainty touched off by the eurozone debt crisis in some of its key European markets would weigh on growth this year.

"The Volkswagen Group's main competitive advantages are its multibrand strategy, a range of vehicles that covers almost all segments from subcompact cars to heavy trucks and its growing presence in all major regions of the world, together with its wide range of financial services," it said.

"This will become even more attractive thanks to the integration of Porsche, with its offering of exclusive sports cars."

Volkswagen and Porsche surprised markets earlier this month by announcing they would move their planned merger forward by two years in a deal set to unlock hundreds of millions of euros in untapped synergies.

"The contribution in full of Porsche's automotive business, which is expected to take place as of August 1, 2012, will lead to its consolidation in the Volkswagen Group," the company said.

"However, the resulting increase in sales revenue will be relatively slight due to consolidation effects."

Volkswagen, which includes Seat, Skoda, MAN trucks, Scania and Audi in its stable of brands, appeared far more buoyant than other German automakers such as General Motors unit Opel.

"Our goal for operating profit is to match the 2011 level," it said.

On Wednesday, Daimler, which makes the iconic Mercedes Benz, said its second-quarter net profit had tumbled 11 percent to 1.52 billion euros.

source: interaksyon.com

Eddie Garcia: ‘One of these days, I’ll follow Dolphy, and I have everything prepared’

At 83, Eddie Garcia is only 10 months younger than the late Comedy King Dolphy, but he remains a picture of strength and vitality. Nevertheless, he is candid about his mortality and ready for the inevitable.

“One of these days, siguro, susunod na rin ako sa kumpare ko,” he says matter-of-factly, referring to his Sampaguita Pictures colleague who passed away recently.

“And I have everything prepared. Sabi ko, sa pamilya ko, ang mangyayari, from death bed direct to crematory. Hindi ilalagay sa obituary ang paglisan ko. Ganoon lang ang gusto ko. Ayaw ko ng sinisilip ako sa kabaong ko. Eh, sabi ko sa kanila, kapag hindi nila ginawa ‘yun mumultuhin ko sila.”

Garcia’s candid discussion of death is only in keeping with the theme of his latest film, the Cinemalaya entry “Bwakaw”, a dramedy about growing old alone and waiting to die written and directed by Jun Lana.

In it the actor gives one of the best performances of his career as Rene, the grumpy old gay whose only companion is a dog named Bwakaw.

He realizes that projects as meaningful and fulfilling as this one can only come from the world of indies.

“My first indie film was ‘yung kay Rica Arevalo, in 2005, ‘yung ‘ICU Bed #7′. Dito rin sa Cinemalaya. And masaya in the sense na sinasabi na nga lagi na ito ang nagpapasigla ngayon sa naghihingalong industriya ng pelikula. Dito, hindi pinag-uusapan ang talent fee. You can do it for a song. Basta maganda ang project,” he says.

How was it like doing most of his scenes with Princess, the dog who played the title role?

“Never underestimate them. Man’s best friend, sabi nga. Bwakaw or Princess is a trained dog. Minsan, matalino pa ang aso kesa sa tao. At ang mga aso, usually may ibinabalik sa mga nag-aalaga sa kanila. In real life. Minsan ang mga tao, parang mga askal din.”

Is he still looking forward to roles that he has not done in his entire career?

“Hindi ko na iniisip kung meron pa ba akong hindi nagampanan o nagawa na. Para sa akin kasi, kung hindi matutuoy ang isang proyekto, I do not want to dwell on it. It’s just a waste of time. Sa nakita ko naman sa paggawa ng indie film, nae-educate natin, lalo na ang masa. I have been a director also. So, parang formula ‘yun, eh. Kung ano ang nagugustuhan ng mga tao, ibinibigay natin sa kanila. Kaya lang, kailangan, may variety.”

What would be the greatest legacy he would leave behind?

“Kung ano ‘yung nagawa ko. ‘Yung napatawa ko sila. I am 83, born on May 2, 1929. I have led a simple life. A happy life. If I am this strong up to now, that’s because kumakain lang ako ng food na hindi makakasama sa akin.”

A segue to his virile “Manoy” persona is unavoidable under the circumstances. Asked about his sex life, he gamely answers: “I do it if I feel like it. Hindi ko hinahaluan ang bagay na ito ng kung anu-ano lang. Kung gusto ni ‘Manoy’, aba eh ‘di gagawin natin. No, hindi ako gumagamit ng Viagra. Sabi ko nga, mas natural, mas maganda. Mapi-feel mo naman ‘yun.”

Some quarters have suggested that should Dolphy finally get the National Artist award, Eddie Garcia should be next in line.

“Kung dumating, well and good. If not, no problem,” he says. “Sa akin naman, sana na-enjoy ito ng kumpare ko noong buhay pa siya na nasa noon pa naipagkaloob sa kanya. Nung buhay pa siya. Now, ibigay man ‘yun sa kanya, hindi na niya alam. Kung karapat-dapat ang isang tao para sa nasabing award, ibigay nila nang buhay pa.”

Meanwhile, he continues to deliver excellent performances, such as his work in “Bwakaw”.

“Whether it’s a small or a major role I am doing, I always do my best. Pare-pareho ‘yan. So, I cannot say na dito ko lang ibinuhos o ibinigay ang lahat-lahat ko. Basta bawat project na dadaan sa akin, na gagawin ko, you will see me in my element, what is required of me in my character.”

source: interaksyon.com

Apple releases ‘Mountain Lion’ Mac software

SAN FRANCISCO — Apple Inc released the latest version of the operating software for its MacIntosh computers on Wednesday, touting new features such as better integration with the “iCloud” Internet storage service and gaming.

The “Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion” was released a day after Apple reported disappointing results that hammered its shares.

Mountain Lion, first unveiled in June during Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference, is available as an upgrade from the previous two operating systems — Lion and Snow Leopard — for $19.99. Macs purchased on or after June 11 will receive a free upgrade, the company said.

The update includes more than 200 new features, including integration with iCloud, desktop versions of Messages and Game Center, a new Notification Center, according to a press release.

A future update for the new operating system will bring Facebook directly onto the Mac, the company said.

source: interaksyon.com

Chefs reveal eating secrets of world leaders

PARIS -- Barack Obama can't stand beetroot, artichokes are off the menu at France's presidential palace and Vladimir Putin does not take any chances with dishes that emerge from the Kremlin kitchens.

Those were just a few of the culinary tidbits to emerge from the latest reunion of the select club of chefs who ply their trade on behalf of some of the most powerful men and women on the planet.

The "club des chefs des chefs," which now counts some 20 members, was formed 35 years ago by Gilles Bragard, who revealed that Putin continues the tradition of medieval monarchs who, for fear of poisoning, were reluctant to eat anything that had not been tried first by someone else.

"Tasters still exist but only in the Kremlin, where a doctor checks every dish with the chef," Bragard told reporters this week ahead of a reception for the chefs hosted by new French President Francois Hollande.

Bragard's comments were confirmed by Putin's head chef, Vakhtang Abushidi, and it seems he is not the only modern-day leader who harbors a fear of what they may find on the plates put in front of them.

Anton Mosimann, a regular cook for the British royal family, recalled that a visit by a former US president resulted in him being "constantly followed around by two FBI guys who wanted to taste absolutely everything I was proposing to cook."

More recent interference in the palace kitchen has come from Britain's Duchess of Cambridge, the wife of Prince William, who asked the Swiss chef to lighten one of his sauces.

Mosimann also revealed that, long after her retirement, former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher harbored warm memories of the quality of the beef that was served during her time in Downing Street.

Typically, the grocer's daughter could also remember just how much it cost. "It was delicious, but, oh, it was expensive!" Mosimann recalled the Iron Lady exclaiming.

Bernard Vaussion, who has cooked for French Presidents and their guests for 40 years, confirmed that his new boss Hollande would gladly give artichokes a wide berth.

But he is delighted that cheese is back on the Elysee menu after being banished from the table during the term of Hollande's chocaholic predecessor, Nicolas Sarkozy.

Cristeta Comerford, the head chef at the White House, would not be drawn on US President Obama's aversion to beetroot (also revealed by Bragard), perhaps anxious not to undermine Michelle Obama's drive to get American kids to eat more fruit and vegetables.

By way of example, the first lady has established a vegetable plot and an orchard in the White House grounds.

Monaco's Prince Albert II -- a "fine gourmet" according to his chef Christian Garcia -- is another fan of home-grown cuisine, with much of what he eats drawn from his organic kitchen garden.

Offal is the only no-go area for Garcia, who has recently added the South African specialty bobotie -- a spiced minced meat dish baked with an egg-based topping -- to his repertoire of recipes following Albert's marriage to Princess Charlene.

source: interaksyon.com