(958) MUSIC AND ME (May 21, 2015) SOUS CHEF DAVID CHEN PROPOSES TO GIRLFRIEND AT BREEZE BAR

On October 20, 2014, Junior Sous Chef David Chen asked me to play love songs at Breeze Bar during his proposal to his girlfriend on a Friday evening (Oct. 24) at 9pm.

I said,  "It's my day off every Friday but if it's 9pm, I can make it after attending the prayer meeting at Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ in the 4th Watch (Palau Locale)."

David is very appreciative about it. It's also the first time that he requested to me something about music.

Somebody suggested that someone should sing a love song while he is proposing. The suggested song is "Unforgettable" by Nat 'King' Cole which was 'remade' and 'revived' with his daughter Nathalie 'singing' it with him like he's still alive. That's what technology can do. The arrangement of the song is so beautiful and complicated that I have to look at the chords to play it without mistakes.

The name Gerry Medrano, Cafeteria's new cook, came to somebody's mind. We don't have time to practice that song. I just lend him the songbook where he will choose also some other songs from that. 
   

Gerry Medrano, 2nd from left, poses with Paquito Suringa, Jr., who is absent in the Awarding Ceremony of the 2014 Palau National Chess Championship. He is holding the 1st runner-up trophy of Roberto Hernandez. At left is John Fernan Velarde, who participated in the only chess tournament that he joined -- the 2012 PNCC. He left Palau for good on May 29, 2015. New worker JR shows the certificate of participation of Roberto.                                             (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)


At 8pm, I attended the Friday Prayer Meeting at Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ in the 4th Watch (Palau Locale). 10 minutes before 9, I left to fulfill my promise to play in the surprise proposal of David to his girlfriend.

At 9pm, I am already setting the keyboard at Breeze Bar of Palau Royal Resort. Gerry came 5 minutes late.

He sung first the "Unforgettable" which I set the key 2 steps lower. I don't have an idea of what pitch Gerry has. He's singing it off key so I change it to the original key and everything sounds good from there.

I don't like his choice of the next song -- "Twilight Time" by the Platters. Only the title but the lyrics are good...

Heavenly shades of night are falling, it's twilight time,
Out of the mist your voice is calling, it's twilight time,
When purple-colored curtains mark the end of day,
I hear you, my dear, at twilight time.

Deepening shadows gather splendor as day is gone,
Fingers of night will soon surrender the setting sun,
I count the moments, darling, till you're here with me,
Together, at last at twilight time.

     Here in the afterglow of day
     We keep our rendezvous beneath the blue
     Here in the sweet and same old way
     I fall in love again as I did then.

Deep in the dark your kiss will thrill me like days of old,
Lighting the spark of love that fills me with dreams untold
Each day I pray for evening just to be with you,
Together, at last at twilight time.

     
When Gerry is singing "Put Your Head On My Shoulder", that's the time that David proposes. He's wearing complete chef uniform.

When David proposes at the beach, there is a big heart-shape of candles at the beach.

The other guests, mostly Taiwanese, are surprised as did David's girlfriend. She's in tears. Many guests have watched them during the short proposal time.

The design of the surprise heart-shaped candles at the beach was meticulously done by Palau Royal Resort DOB Michelle Liao.

Before going back to Dormitory 1, I had the above photo taken with David and his girlfriend.


Sources: Music and Me
             By Roberto Hernandez
             http://palau-chess.blogspot.com

            Chess and Music (Perfect Combination
            The Beginning of Chess in Palau
            By Roberto Hernandez
            October 24, 2014
            To be published as a book in the future

 

 

(560) STANDINGS AFTER 3 ROUNDS (TBN-Aug. 26, 2013)

SPECIAL GAMES FOR MANIK
     Mohammad Manik Hossain, middle, played his 2nd special game against Fernan John Velarde, a new employee of Palau Royal Resort, on Saturday, August 17 at Bethlehem Park. Another special game was set against Jaime dela Cruz on Sat. Aug. 24 either at Manik or James' residence. Paquito 'Pax' Suringa, Jr. will play his 2nd special game against Rustum Cabuso on Thursday, August 29.
                                                         (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)


         STANDINGS AFTER 3 ROUNDS

   

JEFF Balbalosa played in all first 3 rounds of the 2013 Palau National Chess Championship being held every Sunday at Bethlehem Park. He won over slightly lower rated Nilo de Jesus in the 1^st round but showed his toughness in the preceding 2 rounds when he drew a seemingly lost game vs. Palau’s first titled player CM Bernard Garcia and drew again to Palau’s no. 4 Jose Celiz in 51 moves last Sunday, August 18 for a total of 2 points.

                Top seed National Master Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. subdued Rafael Paloma in just 12 moves of Queen’s Gambit Declined. He defeated fellow NM Tito Cabunagan in the 2^nd week to gain a total of 2 points to lead the Top 12 Division.

                NM, National Arbiter and Secretary/Treasurer of Palau Chess Federation Roberto Hernandez tied Cyril in the standings after clobbering 6^th seed Paquito Suringa, Jr. on Friday, Aug. 16 and outsmarted NA Dennis Gonzales last Sunday, Aug. 18 in 46 moves of Budapest Defence.

                NM Tito Cabunagan had a 1-1 win-loss slate after touting CM Garcia in 42 moves of English Opening. CM Garcia wrongfully set the chess clock using no. 26 instead of no. 22 and when it didn’t add another 30 minutes after 40 moves, Roberto set it correctly while it’s his turn to move against his game with Dennis. It took him more than 15 minutes to make his 20^th move Nxf6 where 20. Ng5 is stronger as it will win him a pawn and the exchange (a knight for a rook).

                Manuel ‘Jun’ Mahor, Jr. didn’t play a tournament since the 2009 PNCC because he is busy with his job. This time, he has time and he replaced Elpidio Manaligod in the Reserve Division.

                He played against Eugene Labarda early in the afternoon of Aug. 18 and prevailed after 44 moves of Pirc Defence. He now leads his division when he drubbed Glen Navarosa in 42 moves of King’s Pawn Opening.

                No games were played in the women and junior division. Palauan lady Rowena Ngiralmau confirmed her participation to Roberto last Aug. 11 but she didn’t show up on Aug. 18.

               

                ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE 2014 WORLD CHESS OLYMPIAD IN TROMSO, NORWAY:

During the 2010 World Chess Olympiad in Russia and 2012 Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey, the Head of Delegation of the Philippines, Congressman Prospero ‘Butch’ Pichay came only to the site during the last day of the Olympiad.

                It means that the Head of Delegation position is really ‘relaxed’ and it will be a perfect European vacation for Senator Mlib Tmetchul, his wife Dixie and their kids. That’s the same thing to Women’s Team Captain Eric Ksau Whipps. Because the Men’s (Open) Team Captain Jamie Kenmure can do the job also of Women’s Team Captain. Eric, Joy Flores Whipps and their kids can have also a very nice and inexpensive European vacation.

                The Head of Delegation is also given a VIP I.D. and can roam around the tournament site, press room and other places not accessible to ordinary players or even Grandmasters.

                The Women’s Division might have 12 players instead of 9 in the current roster. This was learned by Roberto when Mr. Jan Berglund, Palau’s Delegate to 3 consecutive World Chess Olympiads, explained to him the following:    Dear Mr. Hernandez,       Here’s the 6.3 of FIDE Handbook:

                                         6.3   In a round-robin tournament, at least one third of the players must be rated.

                                                 6.31   If the tournament has LESS than 10 players, at least 4 must be rated.

                                                 6.32   In a double round-robin tournament with unrated players, there must

                                                            be at least 6 players, 4 of whom must be rated.

                                                 6.33   NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS played as round-robins shall be rated if at

                                                            least 3 players (or 2 women in competitions exclusively for women)

                                                            had official FIDE Ratings before the start of the tournament.          

                That is, as it is the National Championship we are talking about, it is 6.33 that is in effect for this tournament.

           If it had NOT been a National Championship, you do not save the situation by cutting down from 10 to 9 players.

          What you are talking about is 6.3 which is the general rule, which is always in effect in round-robin tournaments with x number of participants, IF none of the 3 exceptions 6.31-6.33 is applicable.

          Best wishes,   Jan

                With this very enlightening piece of information from Mr. Berglund, the Women’s Division now will have 12 players with the addition of Mr. Berglund’s Filipina wife Visitacion Rave and Board 2 player of Palau in Istanbul Olympiad Elizabeth Manuel. They will play the other women contestants through Skype. Jeff Balbalosa suggested to use 1. http://www.chess.com?ref_id=2582255 

                                                         2. http://www.chesshere.com/ for the online chess player because the Skype connection in Palau is very slow.

Solution to last week’s puzzle: 1. Rh8+! Nxh8 2. Qh7+ Kf8 3. Qxh8 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, 10 & 11
             Volume 22
             Issue 68
             August 26, 2013 

(556) PHOTOS (Week 3 -- 2013 PNCC)

Fernan John Velarde, left, shakes hands with Bangladeshi bet Mohammad Manik Hossain before the start of their special game on Saturday, August 17 at Bethlehem Park where the raffle of Blue Bay "Blazing Surprises" is being held nearby.                                                       (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Another special game was held at Dormitory 1 of Palau Royal Resort between 6th seed Paquito 'Pax' Suringa, Jr., left, and 2nd seed Roberto Hernandez. One of the rules of 2013 PNCC is for players of the same company to play in the 1st 3 rounds and not in the last 3 rounds.  (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

National Master Tito Cabunagan vs. Candidate Master Bernardo Garcia; Eugene Labarda vs. Jun Mahor and Dennis Gonzales practicing with Jeff Balbalosa in the farthest chess table.
                                                     (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

 

Manuel 'Jun' Mahor, 2nd from left, replaced Elpidio Manaligod, who withdrew last week. CM Bernardo Garcia is wearing the PNG t-shirt that Joselito Marcos has given him and Roberto aside from another t-shirt. Jun defeated Eugene Labarda, right, while Tito Cabunagan dealt Bernard his first loss after Bernard won and drawn his first 2 games.         (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

 National Arbiter Dennis Gonzales, left, helps National Master and National Arbiter Roberto Hernandez set-up the venue. Roberto then have lunch at 1pm and they played their official game at 2pm. 

*Separate story will be published here about their game and the wrong set-up of time control by CM Bernardo Garcia, who is one of the Deputy Arbiters of the event. Hernandez is the Chief Arbiter and Gonzales is the other Deupty.

(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Left to right, Jun Mahor vs. Eugene Labarda 1-0; Jeff Balbalosa vs. Jose Celiz (draw) and CM Bernardo Garcia vs. NM Tito Cabunagan 0-1.

(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

A closer shot of CM Bernardo Garcia vs. NM Tito Cabunagan match and the long, drawn game of Jeff Balbalosa and Jose Celiz --bishop of opposite color endgame.         (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

2nd game of the day by Jun Mahor, right, against Glen Navarosa, who is one of the original players in the inaugural chess tourney in Palau - the 2002 All-Filipino Chess Tournament in June 09, 2002. Jose Celiz vs. Jeff Balbalosa; Baby Edna Mission is practicing with Rafael Paloma; Elpidio Manaligod and NM Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. watch the games from the sidelines.

(Photo by Roberto Hernandez

National Master Tito Cabunagan receiving his certificate as National Master from NM, NA and Secretary/Treasure of Palau Chess Federation Roberto Hernandez. In the background are Ronald Mission, her mom Baby Edna Mission, Dennis Gonzales, Jose Celiz and Glen Navarosa.

(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

NM Tito Cabunagan, right, is about to leave the venue after defeating CM Bernardo Garcia but Roberto Hernandez called him to accept his certificate after Hernandez himself beats NA Dennis Gonzales.

It was not awarded during the opening day of 2013 PNCC because Tito is at Pohnpei.

(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

(543) PHOTOS (2ND WEEK OF 2013 PNCC)

First game of the 2nd week of 2013 Palau National Chess Championship -- CM Bernardo Garcia, right, vs. Jeff Balbalosa with newcomer Fernan John Velarde and a Palauan guy at left watching. The result is a hard-fought draw. Bernard is ahead by a pawn but a 3-move repetition forced the draw.
                                                   (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Eugene Labarda, left, scored his 2nd straight win by outwitting Fernan John Velarde. Labarda won over Bangladeshi bet Mohammad Manik Hossain last Saturday, Aug. 10 in a special game to accommodate the 2 players with their conflicting schedules.                                       (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)                     

File photo of Fernan John Velarde, new employee at Palau Royal Resort. Almost 1/4 of Palau Chess Federation members are from PRR, with more than half of them not in Palau anymore.
                                                           (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

CM Bernardo Garcia, left, vs. Jeffrey Balbalosa with a Palauan guy watching.
                                                       (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

First game of National Master Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr., left, against NM Tito Cabunagan, who just come back from Pohnpei to participate in this 2013 PNCC. He cancelled his trip to Guam for this event.
                                                  (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)