(1426) MUSIC AND ME (July 20, 2017) MY STYLE IN TEACHING MUSIC AND CHESS

MY STYLE IN TEACHING

MUSIC AND CHESS

AS I WAS taught by Loving, Celerina, Marcela and Pablo of Dionisio family on how to play guitar, marimba and bamboo flute, my teaching style is totally different from their teaching styles. The casual style of teaching is also taught to me by my cousin Wilfredo “Ka Boy” Hernandez, who plays the French horn in a marching band. I remember him teaching me the minor 7^th chords and how he remembers the tune and chords of Barry Manilow’s song “Ships”.

Ka Loving’s fingers are short but he has a way to make chords sound like it is being played by a guitarist who has long fingers. My rapid progress in guitar playing is due to his teaching me to accompany him while playing the bamboo flute. He was many times regional champion of pan flute, pipe and recorder in instrumental competitions in the northern part of Philippines.

Celerina “Ka Rina” has a good ears for chords that if I missed to play the right chords, she’s not letting go that I will resume playing without correcting the chords that I’ve missed. Two years ago, she did the same thing when I missed the G chord while jamming with her husband Rading. They’ve been to Japan 17 times as duo in the same hotel. I’ve taught their 2 daughters Cessa and Kathlyn piano in early 1990’s while they are in Japan for 6-month performance contract.

My style in teaching for kids is by musical notes because they still have long time to learn gradually. When I think it’s time for them to learn by ear, then I will combine by notes and by ears or “oido” as they say it in Filipino language. It is also the style of teaching that I always do to my adult students.

I have taught 3 kids of a Filipino-Chinese Electone organ in 1986 prior to my 2 years and 3 months contract in Bahrain to play keyboard at Khayam Taverna (Greek Restaurant). The kids became very good after a few months that their dad get jealous and he asked me to teach him also at a special day and time (mostly Saturdays) where the kids are not home as he is ashamed to the kids that he is taking also music lessons from me. I taught him by ear as adults learn faster with this style. I remember I came with my 1-year-old daughter Karen because nobody will take care of her while I’m teaching him. He can request to me what kind of songs he would like to learn like “Spanish Eyes” by Engelbert Humperdinck, Mona Lisa, Green Green Grass of Home and more songs from the 1950’s and 1960’s.

My girl student (Michelle) in 1990 is full of potential that her mom, who works in Hong Kong as domestic helper, bought her an expensive Yamaha keyboard. She’s so inspired to learn more due to the advanced features of the keyboard. Her house is just across the road where I, my wife Flor and daughter Karen reside. I stopped teaching her when I work in Palau in 1992. My wife and Karen joined me in Palau in June 17, 1995 and when my mom passed away in 1997, we have a vacation in Philippines to attend her funeral. One time, I rode in a tricycle and I didn’t recognize the driver. He said, “You don’t recognize me, Mr. Robert? I am the brother of your former student Michelle.” I said sorry for not recognizing him as he grown up so fast. I ask,” How is Michelle doing now?”  And he proudly said she is now teaching music!

! I also taught 3 sisters piano about 20 meters from my home. Their doctor mother who always request to me the instrumental “La Decadance” by Richard Clayderman. When one of her daughter and my student got married, the future bride requested me to play at the church/reception 4 songs—Somewhere in Time, Looking Through The Eyes of Love, Endless Love and the 4^th one, I forgot. Her lone brother asked me one time to teach him the song “Ever Since the World Begun” by Survivor.

When I worked in Palau in 1992, I only have very few music students. Chess didn’t get started since 10 years later and my weekly chess articles in Tia Belau started in Dec. 29, 2002 with this 1^st edition…http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2012/01/first-issue-of-chessmate-by-roberto.html

          This lately, I have 3 new students --Cole Abellera, chess every Saturday 11:00 am-12:00 noon. My practice teaching to him is with Samantha Tsao, his cousin, and my piano/guitar student on Fri. 2:30-3:30pm.
          Jake Abellera, Shane and Cole's older brother, piano from 10:00-11:00 am. I tried to teach him guitar 3 weeks ago but I see no potential in him and he will get bore with steel stringed guitar and may feel pain in his fingers. So I shifted from guitar to keyboard.
          Kai is also planning guitar lessons but his fingers are so small yet and I see that potential problem with guitar so I shifted also to keyboard. I taught him for 2 Sat. morning session at Sam's place. His mom wanted to hold it in the MH Dental Clinic where I taught Hanson Campbell for more than a year. I brought the keyboard I am using at Palau Royal Resort but he has also a Yamaha keyboard (61 keys) that uses 6 size D batteries. The plug for the adapter is inside in. I started to teach Kai keyboard on Fri. from 1:30-2:30 pm.
          This Wed., Oct. 04, 2017, I will teach Nicholas Nehez 1 hour piano and 1 hour chess in their house in Airai. I have to charge extra for gas--$15.00/hr. Their 88-key keyboard is coming from America at the end of Oct.


Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
               Tia Belau Newspaper
               December 29, 2002 -- September 25, 2017

               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 Newspaper
              March 15, 2012 -- April 18, 2013
              http://palau-chess.blogspot.com
              April 25, 2013 -- September 25, 2017

              The History of Chess in Palau
              By Roberto Hernandez
              June 09, 2002 -- September 25, 2017

(661) MUSIC AND ME (Dec. 05, 2013) TAIWANESE IN PINK

TAIWANESE PROPOSAL
     The Taiwanese guy, 2nd from right, proposes to the Taiwanese lady at right. To make it memorable, the other Taiwanese guy requested Roberto to play "Without You". Instead of playing it only, Roberto sang the song because he knows the lyrics of that song. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT IS UNFORGETTABLE!
                                                    (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)


                  TAIWANESE IN PINK 

IT WAS a very busy Thanksgiving Day for me, Nov. 28, 2013. After breakfast with my wife at 10am, I proceed to Airai State to teach Mr. Kurata at 11:30-12:30pm. 
 
I dropped by first to the store where Mohammad Manik Hossain is tending in the morning and work at Shell KB Gas Station in the afternoon.

We talked mostly about chess and when it's 11:25, I have to leave and he will give me a Diet Coke and a bunch of bananas for a dollar.

When I come at Mr. Kurata's rented house, nobody there. I knock a lot of times and call his cellphone number to check where he is. He didn't answer.

I waited at the parking area for 30 minutes while cleaning the carpets of the car. I go back to Palau Royal Resort and have a nice turkey Thanksgiving Lunch at Cafeteria.

Prepared for Moded's first solo piano recital at their residence. I brought the Yamaha guitar that James gave me last year.

It was a very nice recital/reunion of invited family members of about 20 people. Former President Tomas Remengesau, Sr., Mrs. Marylin Whipps, the family of new President of Palau Chess Federation Eric Ksau Whipps, his wife Joy Flores and son Ksau Anthony and daughter; Casmere Remengesau and some more.

Joy talked to me about having their piano tuned and maybe some lessons to her daughter by me.

I joined Moded in playing the 2nd half of "When The Saints Go Marching In". Ultei played piano while Moded played the recorder to the song "Amazing Grace". Guitar by Ultei to the song "He's Got The Whole World In His Hand". I sang in the last 2 songs--"How Much Is That Doggie In The Window" and "Puff The Magic Dragon".

Moded gave me a very nice, healthy dessert of fresh strawberry, cereals and berries knowing that I'm diabetic.

Took a 2-hour nap before another special Thanksgiving Dinner at Cafeteria. When I play piano at Waves Restaurant for 2 hours, there are many guests (Japanese, Taiwanese, Americans, Filipinos and Palauans, including former Senator Alfonso Diaz).

There is also a long table of Americans to my right. When I saw former Senator Alfonso Diaz with a Filipina, I started playing Palauan songs. 30 minutes later, he comes to me and gave me $5.00 tip and said, "I like your version of instrumental Palauan songs. That's why I come here often."

I thought that I may not have a chance to take a picture of him so I took this shot with the $5.00 bill:

  
    Before going home, an American guy from long table gave me $5.00 tip and minutes later, an American couple from the same table gave me $3.00 tip.

At 9:00 pm, before going to Breeze Bar, I talked to Mr. Diaz to have a photo session with him to replace my photos with former Palau President Johnson Toribiong.

 During their conversation, the recording of at least 10 Palauan instrumental songs by Roberto was renewed. This time, it will not be for sale because it's very easy to copy it. But Mr. Diaz is willing to pay Roberto the same amount as in 2005--($500.00).

THE FOLLOWING IS THE DETAILED VERBAL AGREEMENT ABOUT THIS:

   

AIRA JANE TORRES - MY BEST GIRL STUDENT
     At her young age, she can play "Fallin'" by Teri de Sario, "Love is All That Matters" by Eric Carmen, "Open Arms" by Journey, Lambada, Careless Whisper, "Because" by Dave Clark 5 and more than 30 more difficult songs that even an adult can't play or sing. Among her counterpart, Christian 'Shinji' Otsuka is my best boy student.
                                                                                 (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)





     MY MUSIC EXPERIENCE WITH FORMER
       PRESIDENT TOMMY REMENGESAU

On February 10, 2009, former President and now Senator Tommy Remengesau, Jr., were at Breeze Bar with 3 Palauan guys and a Japanese family of 3, who left earlier.

            I played mostly Palauan songs. They are applauding to my music. At 11:00 pm, I announced last song. While I’m securing my keyboard and cords, Tommy called me. He gave me $5.00 tip and we talked for a while about my 17 years working in Palau and only 4 times that I have taken a vacation. We talked also about my daughter’s (Karen) graduation in March 08, 2009 as nurse. His son, Isechal, was a classmate of Karen, who graduated at Mindzenty High School on May 28, 2004.

            On June 16, 2008, there is a function of Palau Noni Juice at Waves Restaurant. President Tommy Remengesau was the guest speaker and the party had its own entertainment.

 At 9:30, I’m waiting for customers at Breeze Bar. Then, Tommy came by himself still in a light blue suit. He asked me what happened to the proposed recording of my Palauan instrumental songs with Senator Alfonso Diaz. I explained to him that Senator Diaz offered me $500.00 in 2005 to record about 10 Palauan instrumental songs by me in his recording studio using my own keyboard.

Dr. Victor Yano suggested that I should use a grand piano (the one at Airai View Hotel) to make a more classical sound. Senator Diaz said he will talk to Senator Mlib Tmetchul, a close friend of his, about using that piano. But 3 years have gone by and it didn’t materialize.

            While the president is having a drink, the First Lady Debbie and her mother came. I played mostly Palauan songs and they applauded after every song I played. Later, Leilani Reklai joined them.

            At 10:45, I called Assistant F & B Manager Edgar Cayanan about stopping live music at exactly 11:00 pm even though the First Couple are enjoying my music. Edgar said, “To be safe and not to disturb sleeping guests, just announce last 3 songs.”

            The president agreed to my announcement of last 3 songs. I saw him called his bodyguard to get something and when he comes back, he wrote something on a check book. He called me later and while giving me the check, he said, “This is from all of us.”

I said thank you to them and I asked Leilani, “Did you win the Aimilik governorship?” She said she’s crossing her fingers because the counting is still going on and it’s a very close race. The president said, “She won already. That’s why we’re here celebrating.”

            When I go to Dormitory 1 at 11:15, I saw the couple Jiji and Arnie Abad there and that’s the time that I look at the check amount – it’s $20.00. When I cash it the next day, Jiji and Arnie were at the Bank of Hawaii also.

            During my 11-month work as keyboard player at Rose Garden Resort (July 15, 2005- June 23, 2006), President Remengesau gave me tip of $10.00 twice and the last one there was $5.00 on March 16, 2006, the day that he signed the transfer law bill allowing workers to transfer to another company if (1.) The company closed down, (2.) The employer died and 3. The employer goes to jail.

            On November 02, 2000, two days before the Palau presidential election, Vice President then Tommy Remengesau, Jr. and his running mate Senator Allan Seid are having a political party at Image Restaurant where I’ve worked as musician/disc jockey for 13 years. When Senator Seid is about to have a speech, I stopped playing piano and Tommy approached me and said, “Robert, I know that you cannot vote. But maybe you can tell your Palauan friends to vote for me.” And he gave me $20.00.

            When I operate the karaoke at Image Restaurant after playing piano, I always remember the favorite songs of our regular customers. When Tommy sings karaoke, he doesn’t have to tell me what to sing. I know all his favorite karaoke songs like “Imagine” by John Lennon, “She Believes In Me” by Kenny Rogers, Hawaiian songs “Baby Blue” and “Don’t Say Goodbye”, “How Can I Tell Her” by Lobo and even “Let Me Be There” by Olivia Newton-John.

            In 2010 while I’m on my way up to Caroline’s Resort to teach keyboard/guitar to Liam and Gayle Bornovski, I saw Tommy jogging way up to Caroline’s Resort. I stopped for a while and we talk about teaching one of his kid piano.

            It’s just another casual conversation and it didn’t materialize yet. I’m still hoping that it will happen and then I’ll have the rare experience of teaching family members of 2 Palau Presidents (incumbent or former).

Source: Music and Me by Roberto Hernandez
              Tia Belau Newspaper
              Pages 8-9
              Volume 21
              Issue 68
             September 27, 2012


AFTER THE PICTORIAL AND TALKING, I PROCEED AT BREEZE BAR. MR. DIAZ SAID THEY WILL PROCEED THERE LATER.

When I started to play keyboard at Breeze Bar at 9:00pm, there is a group of Taiwanese (6) at one table and they're all wearing pink t-shirts.

I played a Taiwanese song and after that, a young Taiwanese guy (with eyeglass) asked me to play "Without You" by Nilsson dedicated to the couple in which the guy has just proposed to her.

Instead of playing it instrumental, I sang the song because I know the lyrics of that song by heart since 1980's.

The couple danced with my song while the guy who requested the song harmonized with me. He can sing the 2nd voice of the song which is not ordinary for a young Taiwanese guy although he struggles with pronunciation.

That guy gave a round of drinks to the other table of Taiwanese guests. One of them, a lady, comes to me and gave me $5.00 tip in 1-dollar bill.

That guy also introduced me to his father and mother and his girlfriend. I said, "your parents are young. I thought they're your brother and sister."

When I play Hotel California, he harmonized with me again and when I playing the instrumental, I let him use the pitch bend to make a really nice distortion electric guitar sound. His girlfriend and the couple enjoyed our "performance".

He gave me tips which I have no time to look how much it is. After securing my stuff, I looked at it in the store room--it's $20.00! Very rare for a young Taiwanese that I get that amount.   

I asked for a group picture with them before going home. They happily posed for 2 shots. This is the second shot:

     

While I'm walking to punch out, I saw them all together near the pool and they have some more "good timing" when 2 of them were pushed to the swimming pool and they all laughed while some guests get disturb by the noise at 11:00 pm.


Source: Chess and Music (Perfect Combination)
            The Beginning Of Chess In Palau
            By Roberto Hernandez
            To be published as a book in the future
  
    

 

(303) MUSIC AND ME (Sept. 27) My Music Experience w/ Former President Tommy Remengesau

AIRA JANE TORRES - MY BEST GIRL STUDENT
At her young age, she can play "Fallin'" by Teri de Sario, "Love is All That Matters" by Eric Carmen, "Open Arms" by Journey, Lambada, Careless Whisper, "Because" by Dave Clark 5 and more than 30 more difficult songs that even an adult can't play or sing. Among her counterpart, Christian 'Shinji' Otsuka is my best boy student.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)





MY MUSIC EXPERIENCE WITH FORMER
PRESIDENT TOMMY REMENGESAU

On February 10, 2009, former President and now Senator Tommy Remengesau, Jr., were at Breeze Bar with 3 Palauan guys and a Japanese family of 3, who left earlier.

I played mostly Palauan songs. They are applauding to my music. At 11:00 pm, I announced last song. While I’m securing my keyboard and cords, Tommy called me. He gave me $5.00 tip and we talked for a while about my 17 years working in Palau and only 4 times that I have taken a vacation. We talked also about my daughter’s (Karen) graduation in March 08, 2009 as nurse. His son, Isechal, was a classmate of Karen, who graduated at Mindzenty High School on May 28, 2004.

On June 16, 2008, there is a function of Palau Noni Juice at Waves Restaurant. President Tommy Remengesau was the guest speaker and the party had its own entertainment.

At 9:30, I’m waiting for customers at Breeze Bar. Then, Tommy came by himself still in a light blue suit. He asked me what happened to the proposed recording of my Palauan instrumental songs with Senator Alfonso Diaz. I explained to him that Senator Diaz offered me $500.00 in 2005 to record about 10 Palauan instrumental songs by me in his recording studio using my own keyboard.

Dr. Victor Yano suggested that I should use a grand piano (the one at Airai View Hotel) to make a more classical sound. Senator Diaz said he will talk to Senator Mlib Tmetuchl, a close friend of his, about using that piano. But 3 years have gone by and it didn’t materialize.

While the president is having a drink, the First Lady Debbie and her mother came. I played mostly Palauan songs and they applauded after every song I played. Later, Leilani Reklai joined them.

At 10:45, I called Assistant F & B Manager Edgar Cayanan about stopping live music at exactly 11:00 pm even though the First Couple are enjoying my music. Edgar said, “To be safe and not to disturb sleeping guests, just announce last 3 songs.”

The president agreed to my announcement of last 3 songs. I saw him called his bodyguard to get something and when he comes back, he wrote something on a check book. He called me later and while giving me the check, he said, “This is from all of us.”

I said thank you to them and I asked Leilani, “Did you win the Melekeok governorship?” She said she’s crossing her fingers because the counting is still going on and it’s a very close race. The president said, “She won already. That’s why we’re here celebrating.”

When I go to Dormitory 1 at 11:15, I saw the couple Jiji and Arnie Abad there and that’s the time that I look at the check amount – it’s $20.00. When I cash it the next day, Jiji and Arnie were at the Bank of Hawaii also.

During my 11-month work as keyboard player at Rose Garden Resort (July 15, 2005- June 23, 2006), President Remengesau gave me tip of $10.00 twice and the last one there was $5.00 on March 16, 2006, the day that he signed the transfer law bill allowing workers to transfer to another company if (1.) The company closed down, (2.) The employer died and 3. The employer goes to jail.

On November 02, 2000, two days before the Palaupresidential election, Vice President then Tommy Remengesau and his running mate Senator Allan Seid are having a political party at Image Restaurant where I’ve worked as musician/disc jockey for 13 years. When Senator Seid is about to have a speech, I stopped playing piano and Tommy approached me and said,“Robert, I know that you cannot vote. But maybe you can tell your Palauan friends to vote for me.” And he gave me $20.00.

When I operate the karaoke at Image Restaurant after playing piano, I always remember the favorite songs of our regular customers. When Tommy sings karaoke, he doesn’t have to tell me what to sing. I know all his favorite karaoke songs like “Imagine” by John Lennon, “She Believes In Me” by Kenny Rogers, Hawaiian songs “Baby Blue” and “Don’t Say Goodbye”, “How Can I Tell Her” by Lobo and even “Let Me Be There” by Olivia Newton-John.

In 2010 while I’m on my way up to Caroline’s Resort to teach keyboard/guitar to Liam and Gayle Bornovski, I saw Tommy jogging way up to Caroline’s Resort. I stopped for a while and we talk about teaching one of his kid piano.

It’s just another casual conversation and it didn’t materialize yet. I’m still hoping that it will happen and then I’ll have the rare experience of teaching family members of 2 Palau Presidents (incumbent or former).

Source: Music and Me by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Pages 8-9
Volume 21
Issue 68
September 27, 2012