Monday, April 29, 2013

(449) MUSIC AND ME (April 25, 2013) Exclusive now at http://palau-chess.blogspot.com

A N N O U N C E M E N T ! ! !
The editor of Tia Belau, Mr. Kambes Kesolei, informed me on Sunday, April 21, 2013, that "Music And Me" columm will not be published anymore at Tia Belau due to limited space now of Tia Belau (only 12 pages).
My "Chessmate" by Roberto Hernandez will still continue because it's very important and I've been contributing there for 10 years and 4 months.
I am still welcome to submit/contribute some articles on different things.
ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT PUBLISH IN TIA BELAU ANYMORE,
I WILL CONTINUE TO POST IT HERE JUST THE SAME, THIS TIME IT'S EXCLUSIVE!
The source now will be "Chess And Music -- Perfect Combination
(The Beginning of Chess In Palau)
TO BE MADE AS A BOOK IN THE FUTURE.






ANOTHER JAPANESE COUPLE THAT I FORGOT TO ASK THEIR NAMES
I promise this Japanese couple that this picture will be published in Tia Belau. I'm sorry that it will not happen but it will be featured in this post.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)
I AM SEMI-RETIRED

On March 26, 2013, our General Manager Mr. Masayuki Kawaguchi talked to me about renewing my contract for another 2 years but my salary and hours will be cut into half. That means, I will be getting $275.00 from my previous $550.00 basic pay and also half of service charge (average of $300.00 or less), about $150.00.

I will not work at Purchasing Department starting June 01, 2013 and will play piano at Waves Restaurant from
7:00-9:00 pm and 9-11pm at Breeze Bar.

I said to him that I have to talk to my wife about this. That night, I can't play with expression. My mood is off. After every song, I'm writing a draft of a letter to be presented to GM.

THIS IS WHAT I'VE WRITTEN BEFORE SLEEPING AT 3:00 am:






March 28, 2013


Dear Mr. Masayuki Kawaguchi,
Before I decide to accept your offer, please take note of the following:
1. When I worked in Bahrain from Jan. 1987-April 1989, my time schedule with my Cypriot partner (bouzuki player) was 9pm-1am with 15 minutes break every hour. We extend up to 3:00 am during Thursday. My salary is 190 Bahraini Dinar/month.
2. In Kagoshima City, Japan from April 04-Sept. 28, 1982, our band (First Quarter Band) schedule is 12:00 noon-12:30; 1pm-1:30; 7pm-7:30pm; 8pm-8:30pm and 9pm-9:30pm. My salary is US$500.00/month.
3. In Palau, our Tropical Depression Band performed every night from 9pm-12mn in Feb. 04-July 26, 1992. My salary is $8.00/hour.
4. Still in Palau, from July 27, 1992-April 2005, my schedule at Image Restaurant is 7-9pm piano, 9-11pm operates karaoke. Even if I extend up to 3:00am without pay, it’s okay to me. My salary is $500.00/month.
I stayed that long (13 years) at Image Restaurant because the owner-manager (Margarita Borja Dalton) treated me, my wife and my daughter like members of her family.
5. Rose Garden Resort (Palau) – June 15, 2005-May 2006 6pm-11pm. My salary is $450.00 with free transportation to Airai View Annex.
6. Dragon Tei, Teppan Dragon, Donburi Dragon (Palau) -11am-1pm; 6pm-7pm (Donburi Dragon), 7pm-9pm (Teppan Dragon). My salary is $600.00.
7. In Philippines, 1980-1982 at The Plaza Restaurant (Branding Iron –Steak House)-11am-2pm (30 minutes break); 7pm-10pm (30 min. break). I’m using a Yamaha Grand Piano. My salary is 39.00 pesos/day.
8. The Plaza CafĂ©, 1982-1984 – 6pm-10pm; Aling Asiang Specialty Restaurant –6pm-9pm. My salary to both is 60.00 pesos/day.
9. Philippine Village Hotel (Par Avion Members Club) – 1985—7pm-10pm – with different lady singer every night. 30 minutes dinner at Saranggola Restaurant of the hotel. My salary is 80.00 pesos/night.
10. Sinugba Restaurant-1985-1987—11am-2pm (30 minutes-lunch); 7pm-10pm (30 minutes-dinner). My salary is 130.00 pesos/day (everyday salary).
11. Beverly Hills Deli (Greenbelt, Makati) -1990-1992- 7pm-10pm (30 minutes dinner, free 2 beers every night and cashew nuts). My salary is 160.00 pesos/night.




HAVE YOU NOTICED THE PATTERN, SIR?
Musicians don’t need to work 8 hours to receive their due pay.
PLEASE CUT MY HOURS BUT NOT MY SALARY.
During my almost 6 years at PRR, an average of 400 guests per year has been satisfied with my music and they gave me tips. More than 400 guests didn’t give any tips but they praise my music.
I averaged more than $1,000.00 a year on tips mostly from Japanese, Taiwanese, Americans, Palauans, Filipinos, Russians, Chamorro, French, Italians and other nationalities.
I’m sure that I’m the only employee of PRR or any other hotel around the world that entertained/satisfied 48,000 more or less guests in 6 years.
I care about PRR. Every night, I’m the one that turned off the TV, lights, air cons at Dormitory 1 where nobody cares to turn off especially the aircon. Usually I sleep at 3:00 am and before sleeping, I make sure that the air cons, lights and TV are closed, and the entrance door is closed.
I always pick the cigarette butts in the rest room. Those are non-biodegradable and the biggest cause of clogging. THOSE SMALL THINGS, IF ACCUMULATED FOR A LONG TIME, CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Attached with this letter is “Pianist Guidelines” that was prepared by former GM Fujita and Executive Chef Masaki Horie. I know that you’re not aware that this guideline exists.
Attached also is my article about this entitled “Music Control” in my Music and Me column at Tia Belau. Upon reading it, you might notice that this guideline is childish. Imagine, “DON’T PLAY GUESTS REQUESTS BECAUSE THEY’RE GONNA SING WITH IT”. He is afraid that guests might sing if they request but not afraid that he is denying the guests an extra entertainment/satisfaction of hearing their request.
AND ALSO THE PART, “YOU WILL BE GIVEN CORRESPONDING PUNISHMENT IF YOU WILL NOT FOLLOW THIS.”I will be punished for doing my job?
Please disregard these guidelines and let me play whatever music I like to play. I’m at my best when I can play whatever music I like to play.
Also included in this letter is another article “Composer of Palauan Song “Ngesuas” where Chef Horie ordered me to stop playing Palauan songs. He doesn’t want me to play Japanese, Taiwanese and Palauan songs. Our guests are mostly Japanese, Taiwanese and we are in Palau and he doesn’t want me to play these songs?
A Japanese lady talked to me in September 2012 about “Music Control”. She said music is art and it must not be controlled by anybody.
As I said to you the other day, I’ve got one merit only (1 point) when a Taiwanese guest emailed PRR about him and his wife having a good time at PRR because of my music.
I can only have merit when a guest emailed PRR? When I’ve got $200.00 tip in 2008, Edgar Cayanan, F & B Manager, saw it. He didn’t make a good job review so that I can have merit. Is it because GM Takahashi is my immediate supervisor and not him? But he’s not around most of the time.
Even the tip is only $1.00, I still pray to God to give back tenfold to the giver. I GUESS GOD IS THE ONLY ONE WHO WILL GIVE ME MERIT.
One final say—I’ve experienced in my whole life that whoever did me injustice materially, God always punish that person/s. Let’s say my salary was cut into half, PRR will lose ten times of that half in some other way.






HE CAN'T PLAY PIANO WITHOUT MUSIC SCORE
The Japanese guy in this photo is impressed with the way Roberto Hernandez is playing piano without sight of music notes or score. He can only play when there's a music score in front of him. Hernandez uses scores only when he don't know the melody of a song. (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)


                      MUSIC CONTROL











ON JULY 24, 2012, a lot of firsts have happened to my music career:

While playing piano at Waves Restaurant of Palau Royal Resort, a Taiwanese guy with his teen-age son asked me if I can let his son play ONE song for the newly-wed Taiwanese couple next to their table.

I let him play ONE song and the newly-wed couple came near the piano with the guy taking video of the boy. After ONE song, they requested him to play another one, this time it’s a classical piece. He’s good and plays with expression already at his young age.

In the middle of the 2nd song, Chef Masaki Horie came very close to me and firmly said, “Enough!”

After the 2nd song, back to ‘normal’ again but before playing my 3rd song, Chef Horie ordered me to sign a newly printed “PIANIST GUIDELINES” that said—DON’T PLAY TAIWANESE AND JAPANESE MUSIC-- DON’T SING WITH THE SONG YOU PLAY---DON’T PLAY GUESTS REQUEST BECAUSE THEY’RE GOING TO SING ALONG WITH IT---DON’T LET GUESTS PLAY THE PIANO.



FAILURE TO FOLLOW YOU WILL BE GIVEN CORRESPONDING PUNISHMENT.



PREPARED BY: CHEF HORIE MASAKI (Signed) 7.24.12



ACKNOWLEDGE BY: ROBERT HERNANDEZ



When I signed it, I asked him if I can have a copy so that I can show to guests who are requesting that GUIDELINES. Five minutes later, I’ve got a copy with his 2ndsignature and date 7.24.12 that says “get signature from Robert”.

Another 5 minutes later, a young American lady showed me a list of her requested songs“Pick 2, your choice” –“Sound of Silence” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon and Garfunkel; “Unchained Melody”by Righteous Brothers; “Everything I Do (I Do It For You)” by Bryan Adams and“With Or Without You” by U2.

Chef Horie is looking at us when I showed her the Guidelines. It’s the first test that I’m following it.

She said, “DON’T PLAY TAIWANESE AND JAPANESE SONGS –but my requests are American songs.”

I said, “I know all of your requests, not only 2 of my choice. I will play all of it but please don’t sing along with it.” I was able to play all her requests without Chef Horie’s knowledge.

After playing the 5th one, I followed it up with another Simon and Garfunkel song “Scarborough Fair/Canticle” and she comes again to me and said,“I like also the one you’re playing now. Can I give you tip?”



She thought giving tip to me is also prohibited. I said it is okay and she gave me $5.00 in new single dollar bills. And I played some more songs of Simon and Garfunkel.

Then our VIP and regular guests, Mr. Uehara and his family came a few minutes later. The last time that they’ve been at PRR was in March 22-25, 2012 where they gave me $10.00 on 3 occasions –March 22, 24 and 25. It’s my day off on the 23rd.

Chef Horie leads them to their table but he is not around when they requested Disney movies songs, Carpenters and Beatles songs. Mr. Uehara gave me $20.00 each this time on 3 consecutive nights.



He said they will be back again in Palau in January 2013. He asked me also what date I’m going to Istanbul for the 2012 World Chess Olympiad.

I mentioned to him in March 25, 2012 to please come again to Palau before August 27-September 10, 2012 because I’m not at PRR on that date till September 14, 2012.

The boy’s father approached me again before 9 pm. He wants his son to play another ONE. I said to him, “You said before, only ONE song. Because of that extra song, this GUIDELINE is issued just now.” And when he read the part “DON’T LET GUESTS PLAY THE PIANO”, he didn’t insist anymore.



When Tonet Medilo read the guidelines, she asked me some questions that either me can’t answer—Why is he trying to control your music? Is he jealous that you are making money from tips? But you’re not forcing them to give you tips. It’s from their heart because they enjoy your music. Isn’t he happy that guests are enjoying your music? Is he jealous also of your popularity? Do you ever get complaint because of playing so-so music?

Even with a small problem like this, I usually ask for God’s help to clear the minds of people who are giving me hard time because I’m doing my job. Maybe it’s HIS way so that I can adapt some popular Japanese and Taiwanese songs into gospel songs to praise HIM!PRAISE THE LORD!GLORY TO GOD!


Source: Music and Me by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Pages 8-9
Volume 21
Issue 52
August 02, 2012





This is the Taiwanse boy that plays ONE song for the newly wed Taiwanese couple (behind him). Chef Horie, with chef hat, is leaving the place. He comes back later when the boy played another one. With a firm voice, he said to Roberto, "ENOUGH!"



Mr. Uehara, right, came with his family the night that Chef Horie is trying to take control of the kind of music he wants me to play. JEALOUSY? Maybe.







THEY'VE BEEN TO PALAU 7 TIMES
Mr. Katsutoshi Nakada, right, and his wife Michiko Nakamura has been to Palau 7 times already. In April 2012, they are back again and have this picture taken again and sent it through Facebook to Roberto, who thanked them for chocolates/pastries/donuts from Morozoff that they have given to him. ARIGATOU GOZAIMASU!
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)



COMPOSER OF PALAUAN SONG "NGESUAS"


On June 30, 2011 as I’m about to play piano music at Waves Restaurant of Palau Royal Resort, a group of Palauan family are having dinner at a table in front of the piano. There’s also a BBQ for Japanese guests outside.

When I sit down to start playing, the Palauan father of the family asked me, “Is that a song book?” I said yes, and lend it to him and said, “Would you like to take a look?”I gave him the dark blue notebook in which the cover is a photo of me and Palau President Johnson Toribiong taken on August 09, 2009.

I started to play Palauan songs and he knows almost all the Palauan songs that I’ve played. Sometimes he sings softly when he knows the lyrics.

When I played “Ngesuas”, he pointed at a teen-age girl and said to me that the composer of that song is her father. I lend her my green book where there are Palauan songs at the last few pages and she chooses a song.

The father told me personally that it’s his wife’s birthday today and asked me to play “Happy Birthday” right now. I suggested to him that to make a more dramatic approach, he should ask for a birthday candle, get 4 pieces of cake from buffet and ask some of the staff to sing for her.

I help in arranging that situation and when the all-lady employees sing the‘Happy Birthday Song’, it has a big impact even to the other guests.

Executive Chef Horie is very busy with the Japanese BBQ and when he goes inside, sometimes he hears the father or me singing softly. He ordered Chris (supervisor) to tell me something: “Stop playing Palauan songs”.

When Chris told me that, I’m almost finish with the Palauan song I’m playing, and then the girl mentioned her requested song. After playing it, she gave me $5.00 tip. I still continue to play Palauan songs. Why should I stop when guests are enjoying it? It’s not only the Palauans that are enjoying it but also Taiwanese.

I think the father notice what Chris told me and while paying their bill, he wrote something on a piece of paper. Before leaving, he approached me and said,“You know a lot of Palauan songs. I know most of those. I own the SLC Club.” I gave him my business card also. Some of them ordered ala carte and some have buffet dinner.

After they left, Chris told me what the father had written on a piece of paper – THAT THE SERVICE IS BAD. THE FOOD ARRIVED LONG TIME BUT THE MUSIC IS VERY NICE!

On my 2nd day of working as musician at PRR (June 02, 2007), I’m playing the Japanese song “Sakeyo” with expression. I thought Chef Horie will“feel” it but I’m shocked with what he said—“Don’t play that kind of song here at PRR. It’s not suitable in this kind of place.”

I think what he means is that “Sakeyo” is an “Enka” song which means Japanese song where the theme is about the breaking up of lovers or their quarrels/disagreements.

A few months later, he asked for my Japanese songbook while having a drink at Breeze Bar. He made a list of more than half of my repertoire of Japanese songs and ordered me not to play those songs—AIJIN, AMENO BOJO, Chako no kaigan monogatari, COMO ESTA AKASAKA, DANSHING All NIGHT (Dancing All Night-correction), FUTARI DE OSAKEO, ITOSHI NO ERI (Itoshino Elly –correction), KANPAI, KAWA NO NAGARENO NI MIO MAKASE (he combined “Kawa No Nagareno Yo Ni” and “Tokino Nagareno Mio Makase”), KITA SAKABA, NAGISA NO BALCONY, ROPPONGI RARABAI, SAIGO NO IIWAKE, SAKE TO NAMIDA TO OTOKO TO ONNA, SAKEYO, SUKIYAKI, TUGUNAI (TSUGUNAI–correction), WAKATTE KUDASAI, WAKARENO ASA, WAKARETEMO SUKINAHITO.

When I complain why “Itoshino Elly” is included? It’s the most popular Japanese song. He said, “It’s an order!” I wonder who order it. I know it’s not GM Isao Takahashi’s order.

It’s like a cat and mouse game since then. When he’s around, I will not play those 20 songs. It’s good he’s not around when I played “Kawa No Nagareno Yo Ni” to a lone old Japanese guy in March 27, 2008. I made that guy cried because of my expressive playing and he gave me $100.00 tip twice!

Still in March 2008, Chef Horie asked me again of a list of all Enka songs I know. I asked him, “Then, I will not play it at Waves Restaurant?” He said, “No, our guests are asking for it for you to play on their function.”

Now he realize that it’s not what HE don’t like that I should not play but what the guests like to hear.

SINCE THEN, I can play whatever songs I’d like to play …. UNTIL… there is a change of General Manager.Mr. Takahashi was assigned in Shanghai, China and was replaced by Mr. Masahiro Fujita, the former Rooms Director of PRR for 2 years. HE ORDERED CHEF HORIE, WHO ORDERED FOOD AND BEVERAGE MANAGER EDWIN ACUYAN TO FORBID ME TO PLAY JAPANESE SONGS!!!

Two weeks ago, I arrived at 6:00 pm to play piano. Japanese couple came in at the same time with me. They sit farther away near window. I played Japanese songs for 30 minutes and the lady comes to me and gave me $10.00 tip and said,“Subarashi”, which I think means excellent or very good.

The next day, GM and Chef Horie is telling Edwin to make a letter on a piece of paper saying that I will not play Japanese songs again. And I have to sign it!Edwin says, “It’s childish. How about Japanese songs derived from American songs?” When I checked my repertoire of Japanese songs, 13 of them are American songs that were adapted into Japanese.

I DIDN’T PLAY ANY JAPANESE SONGS WITHIN THIS WEEK. When I finish in making American lyrics to the other Japanese songs that I know, then I can play all of those songs and if they hear me playing those songs, I can say that it’s American adaptation of that song.

I AM AT MY BEST WHEN I CAN PLAY ANY MUSIC I WANT TO PLAY!



Source:
Music and Me by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Pages 10-11
Volume 21
Issue 26
May 03, 2012

(448) PASTRANA SPOILS HERNANDEZ' WIN STREAK (TBN-Nov. 03-10, 2006)

VENUE host and 7th seed Gene Pastrana spoiled 4th seed Roberto Hernandez' win streak to 5 games when he defeated the latter in the very hectic day of the 5th week of the 2006 Rapid Chess Tournament held Sunday, October 29 at Jean's Boutique and Store.

Hernandez upset National Masters Manny Nedic and Menandro 'Boy' Manuel, Koror State Legal Counsel Craig Dittrich, Edwin Eti and Flavin Andres in succession before bowing to Pastrana.

They played their 2nd game after analyzing the first one and Hernandez prevailed this time to have an almost perfect day of 6 wins and a loss.

Andres had Hernandez on the brink of defeat when he overlooked a bishop or queen capture that would force Hernandez to give up his queen to stave off mate.

After the inaccurate calculation, Andres position collapsed as Hernandez forced the exchange of queens to promote a new one.

Pastrana was swept by Manuel while Eti suffered 2 losses in a day when he succumbed to Manuel again but subdued Dittrich, who scored another point by outwitting Andres in a fast game that lasted only a few minutes.

Dittrich losses to Hernandez and Eti were all by time forfeit. Third seed Cyril Montel, Jr. was present but didn't play a game.

In a special game played on Monday, October 23 on Hernandez' day off, 2nd seed Jose Omega swept Hernandez in 30 minutes of action.

Omega suffered the same fate when he was swept in return by Eti in their match that took place on October 25 for their catch-up game.

After the completion of all regular games, a meeting was held to discuss the division of cash prizes to be divided as follows: $100.00 for the champion, $75.00 for the 2nd place, $50.00 for 3rd, $40.00 for 4th, $30.00 for 5th, $25.00 for 6th, $20.00 for 7th, $15.00 for 8th and $10.00 for the Most Improved Player to be contested by Joel Azana, Dittrich and Andres.

Eti donated $100.00 while Pinoy Express Manager Manny Kimpo, another $100.00.

Players will suggest to have Kimpo give cash instead of trophies for the top 6 finishers in the 2006 Palau National Chess Championship in which Manuel was declared the winner of his match against Jess Toldoya.

Manuel is the co-champion of Nedic and thus became the 2nd National Master of Palau.

The one third for the cash for trophies will be spent for Knights and Rooks Chess Club Christmas party in December to coincide with a blitz chess festival where rated and unrated will be divided to give an excellent opportunity for beginners.



Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
November 03-10, 2006

Friday, April 26, 2013

(447) MANUEL KEEPS LEAD (TBN-Oct. 27-Nov. 03, 2006)

PALAU'S first National Master Manny Nedic scored a perfect 3 out of 3 games to trail erstwhile leader Menandro Manuel for the lead in the 4th week of 2006 Rapid Chess tournament held Sunday, October 22 at Jean's Boutique and Store.

The top 4 finishers will receive cash prizes donated by Edwin Eti ($100.00), Manny Kimpo of Pinoy Express ($100.00) and another $100.00 from registration fee.

Nedic defeated Flavin 'Matlab' Andres twice and drubbed venue host Gene Pastrana to trail Manuel for the lead after the latter suffered his 2nd loss to 3rd seed Cyril Montel, Jr. when he blundered away his rook in the endgame.

Realizing his mistake, he appealed that he had not press his time clock yet and ask if he can change his move.

Roberto Hernandez was just passing by and explained to the players that in blitz chess, he can change his move (the same piece) until he had press his time clock. But in rapid chess format, it is not allowed.

Second seed Jose Omega scored 3 points in 4 games. He clobbered Andres and Koror State Legal Counsel Craig Dittrich.

His 3rd week victory over Dittrich was not an official game as they are just practicing at the time.

Omega drew with Montel, Jr. while Manuel took the measure of Eti, who played only one game since the tournament started on October 01. He got a 2-1 win-loss record.

Dittrich finally scored a full point by defeating Andres, who was over-confident after winning a piece in the middle game.

Dittrich's patient play finally paid off when his 2 pawns were promoted. He lost his last game of the day to Manuel.

In a special game played on Monday, October 16 on Hernandez' day off, Andres was mated in just 9 moves when he overlooked a neat bishop sacrifice by Hernandez.

Had Andres captured Hernandez' knight instead, he would have won a piece and the game but he played for material gain and lost another close one.

The last crucial game of the 2006 Palau National Chess Championship will be scheduled according to the players' available time.

Manuel and Jess Toldoya still have not played their last game that the outcome will make Manuel be the 2nd National Master of Palau if he will beat Toldoya. He will tie Nedic for the title.

I a tiebreak will be used, Manuel might overtake Nedic by a close score.



Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
October 27-November 03, 2006

Monday, April 22, 2013

(446) DITTRICH, ANDRES DREW WITH TOP SEEDS (TBN-Oct. 20-27, 2006)



Koror State Legal Counsel Craig Dittrich clustered a crucial draw with Palau's first National Master Manny Nedic in the 3rd week of the 2006 Rapid Chess tournament held on Sunday, October 15 at Jean's Boutique and Store.

He is ahead in material but as usual, in time pressure and decided to do a perpetual check on Nedic's king to force a draw by repetition of moves.

He lost in the first game of the day to Palau's top player Menandro Manuel where the position and material were equal but they were both have 5 minutes left each to finish the game.

Dittrich prefers longer time control and the first tournament next year will fit his style of play.

Flavin Andres showed big improvement and salvaged a draw with Manuel in the 3rd game of the day.

He suffered another setback from venue host Gene Pastrana, who was surprised by the vast improvment in Andres' game.

Knights and Rooks Chess Club (Palau) Chairman Roberto Hernandez will suggest to have a most improved player awarded in this tournament to inspire players like Andres to try harder and play better each time.



The prize will be not less than $25.00 defending on the amount to be collected for the cash prize of the top 4 finishers.

Edwin Eti sponsored $100.00 while Pinoy Express Remittance through its manager Manny Kimpo will donate another $100.00 from the brilliancy prize of 2006 National Chess Championship.

OTHER RESULTS OF THE 3RD WEEK ACTION:
Manuel nipped 3rd seed Cyril Montel, Jr.; Dittrich lost 3 more games, bowing to Montel, Jr. twice and once to 2nd seed Jose Omega; Montel, Jr. scored another full point by outwitting Azana.

Hernandez day off is now Monday as Teppan Dragon Japanese restaurnet will be closed every Monday till December.

Special games will be played on Monday evening at the same venue and available players are requested to come and play with Hernandez, who have played only 2 games so far, winning one against Joel Azana and losing to 80.

Chess books, magzine and other chess materials can now be borrowed from Pastrana to give players some latest games of International Masters and Grandmasters to review and saviour.

Most of the books and magazines are donations from Gary Bekker, the Oceania Zone President, who collaborated with Hernandez to have Palau's top six players gained international rankings through 2006 Palau Invitational Chess Championsip held from August 31-September 04, at Palau Royal Resort and Palasia Hotel.



Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
October 20-27, 2006.

(445) HERNANDEZ VS. TITO IN FINALS (TBN-April 22, 2013)

GROUP A FINALS AT PRR DORM 1
Top semifinalist of Group A Paquito Suringa, Jr., left, played his Group A final game against Roberto Hernandez and watched by staff of PRR (L-R): Maricel Sapida, Pauline 'Pau' Umali and Rowena 'Weng' Victoria. Hernandez prevailed in 35 moves of Sicilian Defence to set a final showdown with Tito Cabunagan, who outwitted top seed Cyril Montel, Jr. in 57 moves of Queen's Gambit Declined.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)


HERNANDEZ VS. TITO IN FINALS


THE penultimate round and semifinal of 2013 Rapid Chess Tournament was held at Bethlehem Park on Sunday, April 14, 2013. Some chess players/participants of the event are also basketball players. The park is just a few meters away from Palau National Gymnasium.

This suggestion to use the place as venue is an excellent way to promote chess. Some inactive chess players were able to practice with FIDE rated Palau players. Some games were also played like the Jaime dela Cruz vs. Mohammad Manik Hossain match (0-1), dela Cruz vs. Tito Cabunagan (0-1), Gene Pastrana vs. Hossain (0-1), Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. vs. Dennis Gonzales, which was declared a draw to save time.

The Group B semifinal between Cabunagan and Hossain was played first with Tito outwitting Manik. It was followed by Group A clash between Roberto Hernandez and Jeff Balbalosa in which Jeff lost when he miscalculated the exchange of queens that led to him losing a whole piece.

THE MOVES:

Hernandez, Roberto (White) 1 : 0 Balbalosa, Jeffrey (Black) Bethlehem Park, April 14, 2013

1. f4 c5 2. e4 a6 3. Nf3 d6 4. Bc4 Nc6 5. c3 e6 6. 0-0 Be7 7. d4 b5 8. Bb3 c5 9. Bc2 Nf6

10. e5 Nd5 11. exd6 Qxd6 12. Ne5 Nxe5 13. fxe5 Qd7 14. Qh5 g6 15. Qf3 Bf8 16. Bg5 Bg7 17. Be4 0-0 18. Nd2 Bb7 19. b3 Rac8 20. bxc4 bxc4 21. Rab1 f5? 22. exf6 e.p. Bxf6 23. Rxb7 Qxb7 24. Bxf6 Rxf6 25. Qxf6 Nxf6 26. Bxb7 Black Resigned.

The other Group B semifinal between Cyril and Dennis is a good example of promoting chess by having the best players of Palau to be seen by crowd in person, up close and personal.

Cyril survived a relentless attack of Dennis to set a climactic Group B final game against Tito on Sunday, April 21, the final day of competition.

Group A top qualifier Paquito Suringa, Jr. arrived at the tournament site but his opponent Rafael Paloma didn’t show up. A match was set at Palau Royal Resort Dormitory 2 on Thursday, Paquito’s day off, at 5 pm.

Their first game was a draw. They’ve been instructed to play another game if their first game ended in a draw. In their second game, Paquito prevailed and the Class A finals was set on Saturday at 11pm.

Paquito wrote the first 30 moves of their game. When he is running short of time, he stopped writing the moves. In their 2nd game, he didn’t write the moves likewise with his Group A final game with Roberto, who was the only player that wrote his moves in all of his games in the 2005-2006 Rapid Chess Tournament.

THE MOVES – Paquito Suringa, Jr. (White) vs. Roberto Hernandez (Black)

(FIDE Rating – 1717) (FIDE Rating – 1850)

1. e4 2. c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. h3 Nf6 4. d3 e6 5. Bg5 Be7 6. Be2 Nc6 7. Qd2 b5 8. c3 Bb7 9. Na3 b4 10. Nc4 d5

11. exd5 exd5 12. Ne3 bxc3 13. Bxc3 d4 14. Nf5 0-0 15. 0-0 Re8 16. Rab1 dxc3 17. Qxc3 Bc8 18. Nxe7+

Qxe7 19. Be3 Nd5 20. Qxc5? Qxc5 21. Bxc5 Rxe2 22. a3 Bf5 23. Rb7 Bxd3 24. Ng5 f6 25. Nf3 Rc2

26. Bd6? Bxf1 27. Kxf1 Nc3 28. Kg1 Ne4 29. Bg3 Nxg3 30. fxg3 Re8 31. Nh4 Re1+ 32. Kh2 g5 33. Nf5 Ne5

34. Rb3 g4 35. Ne3 Rcc1 (White resigned)

In the 2004 Rapid Chess Tournament held at Parish Center for Migrants, Roberto was the only one who is writing the moves in spite of 30 minutes time control. When top seed Eddie Grefiel saw that Roberto is writing the moves, he volunteered to write the moves also. This is a very good sign of sportsmanship rarely seen today.

Roberto hopes that Cyril or Tito will write the moves also in the final game of 2013 Rapid Chess Tournament.


Solution to last week’s puzzle: 1. Qxe5!! dxe5 2. Rh8+ Kg7 3. R1h7 mate.

This week’s puzzle: White to move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)



Source:
Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Pages 9 & 11
Volume 22
Issue 32
April 22, 2013

Saturday, April 20, 2013

(444) PENULTIMATE ROUND PHOTOS (2013 Rapid Chess Tournament)


Jaime dela Cruz, left, is the only Filipino that's a referee in a Palauan Basketball League. He also plays for a team when not officiating. The Jack-Of-All-Trade chess player will design/carve the wooden trophy for the 2013 Rapid Chess tournament. He lost to Tito Cabunagan, right, in their official game on April 14, 2013 at Bethlehem Park, just across the Palau National Gym. In the background are Mohammad Manik Hossain vs. Gene Pastrana. The winner will have a chance for a semifinal berth. (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)


A must-win game for Gene Pastrana, right. He has to win his game against Mohammad Manik Hossain, left, and against top seed Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. to qualify in the semifinal against Group B top qualifier Tito Cabunagan, 2nd from right. In the middle is Baby Edna 'Bheng' Mission, 2nd runner-up in the women's division while Jaime dela Cruz finds a extra minutes to play his unplayed games against available players.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Mohammad Manik Hossain, right, improved his very good results in the 2013 Rapid Chess tournament with another victory over Jaime dela Cruz, left. He qualified automatically to the semifinals after his victory over Gene Pastrana. Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr., (background) is having a half time break from a basketball game and played against Dennis Gonzales in the semifinal of Group B. Tito and Bheng watch the game from sideline. (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)



Semifinal match between top seed Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr., left, and Dennis Gonzales. To save time, they played their semifinal game and disregard the qualification game which was declared a draw. Cyril won to earn the right to face Tito Cabunagan for the finals of Group B. Watching the game are (L-R) Bheng, Manik, Remrel, Ed and his son, Jeff Balbalosa and Tito.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Mohammad Manik Hossain lost again to Tito Cabunagan in the first semifinal game of Group B. His only loss in the regular/qualification round is also from Tito. Jeff Balbalosa and Bheng joined the photo session at Bethlehem Park, the future venue of next tournament -- the Blitz.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)



Group A semifinals between Roberto Hernandez, left, and Jeff Balbalosa while Cyril, Remrel, a bystander who practiced with available players and Bheng watch the game. Roberto won and will wait for the winner of Paquito Suringa, Jr. vs. Rafael Paloma match.
THE MOVES:

Hernandez, Roberto (White) 1 : 0 Balbalosa, Jeffrey (Black) Bethlehem Park, April 14, 2013

1. f4 c5 2. e4 a6 3. Nf3 d6 4. Bc4 Nc6 5. c3 e6 6. 0-0 Be7 7. d4 b5 8. Bb3 c5 9. Bc2 Nf6

10. e5 Nd5 11. exd6 Qxd6 12. Ne5 Nxe5 13. fxe5 Qd7 14. Qh5 g6 15. Qf3 Bf8 16. Bg5 Bg7

17. Be4 0-0 18. Nd2 Bb7 19. b3 Rac8 20. bxc4 bxc4 21. Rab1 f5? 22. exf6 e.p. Bxf6 23. Rxb7 Qxb7

24. Bxf6 Rxf6 25. Qxf6 Nxf6 26. Bxb7 Black Resigned.

(Photo and Chess Notations by Roberto Hernandez)








Jack-of-all-trade Jaime dela Cruz was absent during the Palau Chess Federation Annual General Meeting in February so his certificate of participation was given on the penultimate round of 2013 Rapid Chess tournament. (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

(443) MUSIC AND ME (April 18, 2013) SIGHT AND HEARING

ENJOYING THEIR CHESS PRIZE
Jeff Balbalosa,left, won the 1st runner-up plum of 2012 Palau National Chess Champinship (Class B) and shared his prize of dinner for 2 to other players -- from left, Jon "Sib" Manuel Reyes, Baby Edna "Bheng" Mission, Roberto Hernandez and Angelica "Angie" Parrado, who refused to be in the photo and took it herself instead.
(Photot by Angelica Parrado)


SIGHT AND HEARING

I TOLD Moded and Ultei Whipps this joke: A man is boasting how good is his eyesight to the man next to him and ask a question, “Do you see that ant on top of the hill?” The 2ndman noticed that he is just boasting and ask him, “You can see an ant that far?” He will reply, “Yes! Can you see it?” His final answer: “No! But I can hear its footsteps!”

On the 2nd time I told this to Ultei, she remembers the right answer,“No! But I can hear its footsteps!”

There’s a connection with this joke to my annoying experiences with a man with this kind of extraordinary hearing.

More than 20 times in 6 years that chef horie told me to lower the volume of my piano playing.

I HAVE NEVER HAD A COMPLAIN FROM GUESTS WHO ARE 2 FEET AWAY FROM PIANO BUT MANY COMPLAINS FROM HIM WHO IS 30 FEET AWAY FROM THE PIANO.

A piano has 3 damper pedals—the one on the right is for sustain, the middle is for mute and the left pedal is for sound control. I’m the only pianist in the world that steps on the left pedal more than the sustain pedal.

You can see that the pedal on the left is always like newly polished. That’s why my left shoe is always the first one to break.

The only complaint I’ve got was from a lady guest about 4 years ago when a boy at the table in front of the piano played with the water goblet to make a buzzing sound. I was irritated when he continues to do so without respect to the one playing piano.

I played loudly to offset his annoying habit. To make it louder, I didn’t step on the left pedal. The lady who complains is 20 feet away!

The worst time that horie told me to lower the volume is when I am at the finale part of playing Japanese song “Ai No Sanka” (“If You Loved Me” – American version). I’m playing with expression, giving all I’ve got to satisfy the old Japanese lady who requested it—THEN, the way he told me to lower it down is not nice. I lost my mood for the rest of the night.

I DON’T KNOW IF IT’S PART OF HIS TACTIC OF CONTROLLING MY MUSIC BUT I’M SURE OF ONE THING—HE IS A KIND OF PERSON THAT NO MUSICIANS CAN IMPRESS HIM WITH THEIR MUSIC.

BUT I PLAY MUSIC TO IMPRESS OR SATISFY MULTI-NATIONAL GUESTS AND NOT A SINGLE CRITIC!

The good thing is… he’s not doing it now anymore since the new GM took over. But for how long, nobody can tell.


CONTINUATION OF “MY REPERTOIRE OF INTERNATIONAL SONGS” (E)


EARLY MORNIN’ RAIN (Peter, Paul & Mary) G 51

1977 E A S Y (Lionel Richie) G 53

1953 EBB TIDE (Righteous Brothers) (Platters) DB142

1982 EBONY AND IVORY (Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder) B 337

1959 EDELWEISS R 32

1964 EIGHT DAYS A WEEK (Beatles) R 220

EIGHTEEN OB (18 OB) (Palauan Song)

EL BIMBO (Instrumental)

1966 ELEONOR RIGBY (Beatles) R 220

1933 EL CONDOR PASA (Simon & Garfunkel) B 168

1979 ELLY MY LOVE (Ray Charles)

EMERAECH (Palauan Song) G P 21

1945 EMBRACEABLE YOU R 30

EMMANUELLE (Instrumental)

EMOTIONS (Bee Gees) R 156

1982 ENDLESS LOVE (Lionel Richie & Diana Ross) B 317

ERES TU (Spanish Song) DBI 28

ESPANA CANI (Spanish Song)

ESTUDYANTE BLUES (Freddie Aguilar) (Filipino Song) OPM 39

ETERNAL FLAME (Bangles) R 135

1953 ETERNALLY R 62

1978 EVEN NOW (Barry Manilow) DB215

1982 EVEN THE NIGHTS ARE BETTER (Air Supply)

1976 EVERGREEN (Barbra Streisand) R 163

EVER SINCE THE WORLD BEGUN (Survivor) R 157

EVERYBODY KNOWS (Dave Clark 5) B 176

EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE (Police)

196 EVERYDAY (Buddy Holly and The Crickets) B 179

EVERYDAY I LOVE YOU (Boyzone) DB 9

EVERY LITTLE THING (Beatles) R 191

EVERYTHING I DO (I Do It For You) (Bryan Adams) G 55

1972 EVERYTHING I OWN (Bread) B 196

1985 EVERYTIME YOU GO AWAY (Paul Young) B 207

EVERY WHICH WAY BUT LOOSE (Eddie Rabbitt) DB 76

1978 EVERY WOMAN IN THE WORLD (Air Supply) DB 89

EVIL WAYS (Santana) R 22

E W A N (Apo Hiking Society) (Filipino Song) OPM 76

1960 EXODUS R 164

1982 EYE IN THE SKY (Allan Parsons Project) B 326

1982 EYE OF THE TIGER (Survivor) B 344