THE FIRST QUESTION OF THE INTERVIEW
When I was interviewed, the first question is "How long have you been in Palau?" My answer is "26 years in Feb. 04, 2018". And she is surprised that I have never applied for US visa before and it's the first time I applied.
I'VE GOT MY U.S.A. VISA
FOR 10 YEARS IN ONE WEEK
With a wish to attend the Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ (4th Watch) Pacific Area Fellowship (Camp) in Saipan, I was urged by the couple Bro. Gilbert Navarro and Sis. Loriz Singca Navarro to get USA visa. Sis. Loriz asked the Saipan Pastor to send us invitation letter to be used for getting USA visa. It didn't come and I proceed getting it without that letter hoping that my Australian, Russian, Turkish, Schengen and Azerbaijan visas will be enough to get one.
The mother of my chess/piano student Nicholas Nehez, Jennifer, gave me a new card of her with a link https://pw.usembassy.gov/ and I started to fill up the application form online.
My first photo was not accepted. As well as the 2nd one, which needs a little more lighting.
I go to photo shop and had a photo taken by a professional. I scanned it (the 2x2 photo) and when I upload it, it was accepted and I've got the confirmation letter.
I asked Jennifer if I can be interviewed on Tuesday, Feb. 13 but she said she will be in Koror and preferred to do it on Feb. 15, Thu.
I will be having a new chess students, an American mom, Marilyn Krake, and her 2 kids, on that day and I have to reschedule it for the next Thu. Feb. 22 because of the interview.
When I teach Nick chess/piano on Valentine's Day, Wed. Feb. 14, the confirmation of my interview is set at 8:30 am, on Feb. 15.
I have prepared for this interview with my 6 passports, my old bank accounts (passbooks) since 1992, a letter from Social Security Administration that my monthly SS pension has been increased by $8.08.
At the gate and security area, I met there again Roger T. Bluestone, the Local Guard Force Commander of the United States of America U. S. Department of State. I met him first on Sat. Feb. 10 at Waves Restaurant of Palau Royal Resort, where he is having a dinner with his Filipino wife Dolly and Ben Asuncion, the father of Ella, the PRR's General Manager Secretary.
Roger's wife requested me "To Love Again" or the classical piece "Nocturne", followed by Love Story and As Time Goes By. We have 2 photos taken at the piano.
I told them that I will be playing another 2 hours of instrumental music at Breeze Bar and they proceed there and sit near the keyboard.
We were surprised that Dolly can sing Spanish songs! like "Historia de un Amor", "Amor, Amor, Amor", Besame Mucho, etc. where she sings without microphone but she doesn't have stage freight. She sings with confidence like a professional singer and she even knows what key her songs to be played by me.
I sang her requested songs at Waves Restaurant -- Love Story and As Time Goes By. She likes "This Masquerade" and "The Girl from Ipanema".
They enjoyed the night and later, the place is becoming full of guests, mostly Chinese/Taiwanese and a group of Filipino. They thought that there is live entertainment there!
Ben Asuncion offered me a drink and I ordered a glass of red wine. An hour later, another glass of red wine was given to me this time from Dolly and Roger.
They enjoyed that night that we are planning to set a date for the same ambiance of music at the same place or a private place. I said I will bring the keyboard if it's is outside Palau Royal Resort.
Dolly's last song is really good--"I've Got You Under My Skin", where a few singers can sing that song with emphasis like what she did. She said she haven't sung for 10 years.
Roger videoed some parts where his wife is singing and Jennifer told me that she watch that video at the Embassy and it is excellent.
After showing at the entrance my confirmation ID, they took my cellphone and keys as part of security system. While escorting me to Jennifer, Roger said, "Don't be nervous. You can pass the interview easily."
Marj took my 3 passports so that those will be reviewed. And I paid $160.00, which can't be refunded if I would be denied getting USA visa.
And I'm not surprised that Jennifer is the one doing the interview. As mentioned earlier, her first question is how long I've been to Palau. She said, "You are very well traveled. I don't see any reason why we can't give you USA visa."
Since 2009, I've traveled yearly to Philippines and Australia that year; to Russia and Philippines in 2010 for World Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk; to Philippines again with my wife Flor in 2011; by myself in 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey with Palau Chess Team members Menandro Manuel and his wife Elizabeth, and Bernardo Garcia, who earned a CM title, Palau's first; to Philippines again with Flor in 2013; to Tromso, Norway for 2014 WCO where Palau has a complete line-up of players in the Open and Women's section. The Schengen visa in going to Norway can be used at any other 26 European countries accepting Schengen visa; to Philippines again in 2015 vacation with my wife; an electronic visa at the 2016 World Chess Olympiad in Baku, Azerbaijan with teammates Allan Alcid, Paquito Suringa, Jr., Jeff Balbalosa, Dennis Gonzales, Head of Delegation CM Joselito Marcos and Delegate FA Eric Ksau Surangel Whipps; in Philippines again for our every-two-years vacation with Flor in 2017 using my new passport being issued in Philippine Embassy in Agana, Guam's consular mobile services.
Jennifer also asked me, "You have never applied for USA visa before?" I said, yes. In 1998, when we have $12,500.00 in bank account, many told us to get USA visa. With that amount of money in the bank, you can get USA visa easily. I added that, "what will I do after getting it? I will get USA visa at the right time. And this is the right time to get one."
Jennifer also asked about my daughter--that she graduated high school here in Palau (at Mindzenty) and took nursing in 2004, graduated in 2009 and passed the Nursing Board Exam earlier in that year.
Jennifer gave me a small piece of paper with a date --02-22-2018 to get the visa at 2:30 pm (Thursday).
When we are buying the ticket for my trip to Saipan for 2018 Pacific Area Fellowship on Feb. 23-25, 2018, there is a conflict with the date as I will be leaving at 1:45am on Thu. and the visa will be given to me at the same day but in the afternoon. We voided that ticket and I text Jennifer if I can get it earlier next week. She said, "I think it's done. I'll check with Marj."
I was able to get the visa after teaching Yars Tmechtul from 10-11 am in their house, which is just 20 meters from the Embassy. After getting it, I look and it's 10 years (Feb. 15, 2018-Feb. 14, 2028)! Valentine's Day in 2028 (the expiration date)
Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau News
December 29, 2002 -- February 18, 2018
Chess and Music (Perfect Combination)
The Beginning of Chess in Palau
By Roberto Hernandez
Soon to be published as a book
Music and Me by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau News
March 15, 2012 -- April 18, 2013
http://palau-chess.blogspot.com
April 25, 2013 -- February 18, 2018
The History of Chess in Palau
By Roberto Hernandez
June 09, 2002 -- February 18, 2018
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