IN AND OUT OF PALAU
Ron
Gonzales, right, has been to Palau more than Roberto Hernandez, left,
but he's in and out of Palau. He's now based in Guam, Vice President of
Lyon Associates, Inc.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)
MEETING RON GONZALES AGAIN
AFTER MORE THAN 10 YEARS
It was a quiet night at Breeze Bar and all guests have left. It's raining a little.
Then
a familiar guy asked for a drink menu. While he was looking for a
drink, he noticed me staring at him, trying to figure out who he is.
He invited me to sit down with him and talk for more than an hour. He offered me a drink and I ordered red wine.
While
we are talking, he's getting more and more familiar to me-- the persons
he knows in Palau, ---Margarita Borja Dalton, Encely Ngiraiwet, Frida
Loftis, Joyce Isechal, First Lady Debbie Remengesau, and many more.
In the middle of our conversation, I can't resist to ask --"What's your first name again?"
When he said Ron, that's the time that I know his full name now, and I said, "Oh yeah, Ron, Ron Gonzales."
He's Puerto Rican and met a Russian lady who works in Palau. They got married and have a teen-age son now.
He
said he will be in Palau at least twice a month as he's got a contract
at Palau Pacific Resort to build a resort-type houses that are floating
on the water.
When
he showed me the logo of a company where he works as Vice President, I
mentioned to him that somebody gave me a card about a year ago with the
same logo and that I thought it's a Filipino.
I
gave Ron my card and he promised to give me his card also where there
are some info about his job, tel. numbers and area of work (Hawaii, USA
and Guam).
He said he will come back again tomorrow to give me the card. He didn't make it.
I
check my business cards collection and found out that the one who gave
me a Lyon Associates, Inc. card was he himself in June 07, 2013!
We
also talked about chess, that I was able to go to Australia, Russia,
Istanbul Turkey, and recently to Norway in representing Palau in Oceania
Zonal Chess Championship and World Chess Olympiads.
Source: Chess and Music (Perfect Combination)
The Beginning of Chess in Palau
By Roberto Hernandez
1992-2014
To be published as a book in the future
I CAN WRITE HER NAME IN JAPANESE ALPHABET
While
having a meal at Palau Royal Resort Cafeteria, this intern Japanese
lady was surprised when I asked her, "Your name is Mami?" and wrote her
name in Katakana alphabet on a napkin. I gave her my card with my name
written in English and Japanese. A few days later, she went to Breeze
Bar to have this picture taken as souvenir before going back to Japan
after being an intern for 2 months.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)
CAN YOU MAKE A JOKE TO A PRESIDENT?
ON
AUGUST 31, 2013, Palau President Tommy Remengesau, Jr. had a one-on-one
meeting with a Taiwanese investor and owner of a newly-to-be-opened
hotel/resort.
After
the meeting, they're saying goodbye to each other. The President waved
to me and just said, "Robert" as a show of greeting me. Some employees
are surprised that he mentioned my name and saying goodbye.
I
appreciate the President's gesture with that simple mention of my name.
I will not forget when he is running for president in 1999 and they
have a "MEETING DE AVANTE" or final meeting of candidates 2 days before
the election.It was held at Image Restaurant where I play piano and
operates karaoke for 13 years.
His
running mate (for Vice President) is Senator Alan Seid, who is about to
make a speech. I stop playing piano and President 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.
During
the primary election, there are 5 candidates. He topped the primary
election followed by Peter Sugiyama. The other 3 losing candidates have
collaborated with Sugiyama to give Tommy a good fight but he still won
by landslide because he is the people's choice. His father, Tomas
Remengasau, Sr. became Palau President also.
AND HOW I WAS ABLE TO JOKE HIM?
Once or twice a month, Tommy and his wife Debbie used to sing karaoke with me operating it till they go home.
They usually come with Encely Ngiraiwet, the wife of Delegate of Ngardmau Lucio Ngiraiwet, and Frida Loftis. They will be joined by my employer for 13 years Margarita "Margie" Borja Dalton.
One
night at about 1am, they finished singing with Tommy still joining them
but he's head-bent asleep while the other 4 ladies (Encely, Frida,
Debbie and Margie) still talking, joking and drinking.
That's one good thing about him, he still joins you at the table but he will sleep if he had enough to drink.
IT
COMES TO MY MIND TO JOKE HIM... I GET A FUTON (Single) and put it
beside him. I wake him up and said, "Sir, would you like to sleep here?"
The 4 ladies laugh so hard and the President also laugh with my joke!
ONLY IN PALAU THAT YOU CAN MAKE A JOKE LIKE THAT TO A PRESIDENT!
Source: Chess and Music: Perfect Combination
The Beginning of Chess In Palau
September 2013
To be published as a book in the future
