(367) MUSIC AND ME (Jan. 10, 2013) Honesty

*(This is not the original photo that appears in Tia Belau Issue 03)

Have a problem uploading photo.

A WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS

At right is an employee of PRR who treated his lady friends to a Christmas decors, night view and live music at Breeze Bar of PRR. The man at left sang a lot of international songs.

(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

                          H O N E S T Y

BILLY Joel has a hit song entitled “Honesty”. It’s one of his popular songs that many Japanese guests that I’ve met at Palau Royal Resort usually requested.

Being that popular and one of the most requested American songs in my repertoire, I have memorized its lyrics and complicated chords, intro and finale.

I usually sing it when the guests at Breeze Bar of PRR are closer to me because mike is not allowed there.

But the lyrics of “Honesty” are not relevant to my stories of being honest:

1.) In 1994, I’m playing keyboard at Image Restaurant with Willy dela Cruz as drummer. This was after our lead guitarist and singer Wilson Prima left Palau for good so only 2 of us remained performing for a few months. When Willy found a more stable job as butcher at Surangel and Sons, I’ve performed solo since then until early 2005.

One night of “not-so-busy” evening, a Taiwanese lady with 2 other Taiwanese guys requested “My Way”. Instead of playing it instrumental, I’ve sang the song to her delight.

Later, she come to me and put tips in my polo shirt’s pocket.

We still perform till 9:00 pm and when they leave, it’s time for karaoke, which I operate also. I look at the tip that she had given me – there are 3 single dollar bills and 1 hundred dollar bill!

I know she made a mistake in giving me that because if she will give me $100.00, there’s no need to add 3 one-dollar bills. And she is Taiwanese. Unlike generous Japanese, I know she can’t afford to give me much.

I told about it to my employer Margarita Borja Dalton and I said to her that if she will come back again, I’ll return it to her to see what amount she really wants to give me.

SHE CAME BACK 2 DAYS LATER! I played “My Way” again even though she didn’t request it. During our break, I told Margie that I will return to her the $100.00 but she prevented me and said, “If she don’t remember it, don’t give it back and give some to the kitchen staff.”

When she left without mentioning about it, I gave $40.00 to my partner Willy, $20.00 for kitchen staff and $43.00 for me which I thought I don’t deserve.

A few months later, I met that woman again in front of OEK building (Palau Congress). When we talked, she is interested to hire me as musician to her soon to be opened restaurant.

I politely declined the offer. How can I work honestly to her when I’ve been dishonest to her earlier?

2). Former Palau Senator Steven Kanai once sang karaoke with me operating it. At past 12:00 midnight, he left and stayed at the entrance smoking cigarette. When I check his table, I found a $50.00 bill on the chair where he sat. I ran to him and returned it. He said, “Ole, you’re a good man! If you need my help someday, just tell me.”

3). And lastly, before New Year 2013 at Breeze Bar, Ogie Pineda is paying their bill when I saw $50.00 fall from his pocket with the wind blowing it for about 2 meters from him. I just call his name and pointed to the fallen $50.00. Ogie didn’t say anything, it’s okay to me. I’ve known him for a while as one of our regular guests.

CONTINUATION OF “MY REPERTOIRE OF INTERNATIONAL SONGS”

              Last 25 songs of “B”

1975   BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY (Queen)                                                                                             DB250

BOMBATEL (Palauan Song)                                                                                                  DBI 61

BONGGAHAN (Sampaguita) (Filipino Song)                                                                  OPM188

1966     BORN FREE (Matt Monro)                                                                                                                                                                                                                       B 230

1967      BOTH SIDES NOW (Joni Mitchel)                                                                                               V 2

BOULEVARD (Dan Byrd)                                                                                                          B 168

BREAKING MY HEART (Michael Learns To Rock)                                                                DB 59

BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO (Neil Sedaka)                                                                        DB 19

1982 BREAK IT TO ME GENTLY (Angela Bofil)                                                                                      B 328

BREATHE (Faith Hill)                                                                                                                 DB 11

BRIAN’S SONG

1969 BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER (Simon & Garfunkel)                                                       R 150

B R I D G E S (Sergio Mendes and Brazil ’77)                                                                      R 151

BUGHAW NA BUHANGIN (Filipino Song)

B U H A T (Rico J. Puno) (Filipino Song)                                                                            OPM 92

BUHAY MUSIKERO (Mike Hanopol) (Filipino Song)                                                       OPM19

BULAG, PIPI AT BINGI (Freddie Aguilar) (Filipino Song)                                               OPM51

BULAKLAK (Kuh Ledesma) (Filipino Song)                                                                     OPM107

BULONG-BULUNGAN (Filipino Song)                                                                               OPM116

1966       BUS STOP (The Hollies)                                                                                                            B 111

BUT IF YOU LEAVE ME (Junior)                                                                                                DB 71

BUTSIKIK (Yoyoy Villame) (Filipino Song)                                                                         OPM91

1948     BUTTONS AND BOWS                                                                                                              DB 252

1957     BYE BYE LOVE (Everly Brothers)                                                                                               B 197

1967      BY THE TIME I GET TO PHOENIX (Glenn Campbel) (Johnny Rivers – 1965)                       V 3

Source:

Music and Me by Roberto Hernandez

Tia Belau Newspaper

Pages 8-9

Volume 22

Issue 03

January 10, 2013