(81) Outstanding OFW in Palau Awardees (TBN-June 15-21, 2009)

Outstanding Overseas Filipino Worker in Palau recepient Roberto Hernandez poses with Ambassador Ramoncito Marino and his wife Issa at the Embassy.
(Photo by: Jaime Guevarra)


Outstanding OFW in Palau Awardees

FIVE DAYS before participating in the 2009 Oceania Zonal Chess Championship, Roberto Hernandez was awarded as one of the outstanding Overseas Filipino Worker in Palau held on Friday morning, June 12, 2009 at Philippine Embassy in commemoration of the 111th Anniversary of Philippine Independence.

The invitation letter read as follows:

Mr. Roberto Hernandez, Dear Sir, The officers and staff of the Embassy wish to congratulate you for being selected as one of the Outstanding Overseas Filipino Worker in Palau. In this regard, we are inviting you to attend the Flag Raising Ceremony at the Philippine Embassy, Minami Building, Iyebukel Hamlet, Koror, Palau on 12 June 2009 from 6:30 am to 8:00 am, in commemoration of the 111th Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence.

We wish to inform you that during the occassion, you will receive your medal and certificate of appreciation. Your presence will be highly appreciated. Very truly yours, Ramoncito S. Marino (Ambassador)
Koror, 28 May 2009.

In his short speech after receiving the medal and certificate of appreciation, Hernandez mention his band member and longtime friend Willy dela Cruz, a drummer, who is married to Palauan Christina Baulis and is now working at Surangel's.

He also mentioned that when his wife and daughter arrived in Palau in June 17, 1995, they were invited on the next day to attend a birthday party at the exact place where the Breeze Bar of Palau Royal Resort is located.

Ten years and ten days after that date, PRR was inaugurated. And Hernandez is now playing keyboard nightly at the site from 9-11 pm.

More than 10 persons in different fields were also recognized. There are still a lot of other Filipino workers who stayed in Palau very long and many hope that this recognition will be done every year.

In his email to Hernandez, Mr. Graeme Gardiner writes: Hi Roberto, I have solved the problem of accomodation. For the night of 18th, 26th, 27th and 28th June you will stay with Gary Bekker in the arbiter's room. I wil pick you up and Gary Bekker at Gold Coast Airport in Thursday 18th June at 9:35 pm.

Regarding the Gold Coast Open, it is a separated stand alone event. The entry form is quite clear that the only free entries will be for GMs, WGMs, IMs and WIMs.

The other untitled seeded players who have entered the Gold Coast Open have happily paid their entry fees. So if you choose to play in the Gold Coast Open, I'm afraid you will need to pay the entry fee. I look forward in meeting you in a couple of weeks. With best regards, Graeme Gardiner.

When Hernandez buy his wife's ticket at Continental Airlines, he ask local travel agent Martha to check Gary Bekker's confirmed ticket Manila-Sydney and found out that it is revoked. The Sydney-Coolangata trip is okay. Hernandez emailed Gary about it.

Hernandez received an email from Mr. Gary Bekker stating: "You have checked with your travel agent and just written that your MNL-SYD ticket "is fully paid. She is wondering why it is revoked.

I have just contacted Philippine Airlines and they have confirmed that the ticket is fully paid for and is definitely valid, ready for you to fly. You will just need to present a copy of my credit card image and your passport to board the plane.

I will send you an image of my credit card early next week. Please print this and take it with you. Warmest regards, Gary Bekker".

Ambassador Marino will hold a 4-hour blitz chess tournament among the members of Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ). He asked Hernandez to make a tournament format and will borrow at least 3 chessboards and clocks.

It will be held at QBall on June 21, 2009 from 2:00 - 6:00 pm.

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez Tia Belau Newspaper June 15-21, 2009

Roberto Hernandez, 6th from left (back row), was chosen as one of outstanding OFW in the field of music and entertainment.

Roberto Hernandez attended the event with his wife Flor, right, and her co-employee at Dragon Tei Lovelyn.

Jaime Guevarra, right, Palau Royal Resort Pastry Chef, also attend the ceremony and we used his digital camera to take these photos.

Ambassador Marino can play piano also. Everytime he is a guest at Waves Restaurant of Palau Royal Resort, Hernandez always gives him a chance to play 2 or 3 songs.

Ten years and ten days after these photos were taken, the Palau Royal Resort was inaugurated on June 28, 2005. Roberto Hernandez, left, is now playing music at PRR Breeze Bar nightly except Friday (his day off) from 9-11 pm at exactly the same spot.

A coincidence? No! it's progress.