On Oct. 12, 2015, we have many guests at Waves Restaurant
of Palau Royal Resort. Two of them are Japanese guys at the elevated center
column at the right side of the piano. As they are talking, I haven’t played
yet Japanese songs.
When I played
one of the most popular Japanese songs “Nada Sou Sou”, they applauded and
later, the shorter guy, left, gave the waitress Ivy Pura $20.00 to give to me.
I said thank you to them and the next song that I played is “Kou Jou No Tsuki”,
in which I sang it to the delight of other Japanese and Taiwanese guests.
F & B
Manager Mervin Lee Cuyugan advised me not to sing again because Ma’am Michelle
is at the wooden area. I still sing in lower tone and only to the part that I
know the lyrics. Thirty minutes later, the other Japanese guy, right, requested
“My Way”. I asked him, “Do you like the English version or the Japanese?” He
said the Japanese version. I played it in Japanese version and sang it in low
tone.
Ten minutes
later, he gave me another $20.00. They have taken many photos including me as their
background. I put the songbooks that distract the view of my face to the left
side.
Before they go
back to their rooms, I stop playing and gave them my card and we have a photo
taken. When they go back 2 days later, they sit at the same table again. The
guy who requested “My Way”, requested the same song again and gave me another
$20.00. That night, they are going back to Japan. They said they will be back
next year. AS USUAL, I FORGOT TO ASK THEIR NAMES.
On Sept. 22,
2015, I’m playing keyboard at Breeze Bar of Palau Royal Resort. There are many
Japanese guests there who appreciate my singing of Japanese and American songs.
When I played “Hotel California”, there’s a Japanese guy, about 3 meters from
my left, who is singing it with me. He knows the lyrics although you can really
tell he’s Japanese because of the accent.
At 11:00 pm, I
stopped playing and gave the couple (guy) my card. He’s got $10.00 ready as tip
and gave it to me after giving him my card. WE HAVE A PHOTO TAKEN AND AS USUAL,
I FORGOT TO ASK THEIR NAMES.
On Dec. 16, 2013, Michiko Nakamura, left, gave me and my
wife Christmas gifts (cards, postcards, photos and brown blazer, which I said
to her that I will wear in Norway upon participation in the 2014 World Chess
Olympiad (Aug. 01-14). Her and Katsutoshi ‘Kuma’ Nakada, right, have been to
Palau 8 times. They are regularly sending me postcards from different countries
that they have visited. She even sent me a Halloween card. In 2013, they gave
me a dozen assorted chocolates and dough nuts from Japan. All of them are
sweets so I gave to my wife because I’m diabetic.
One of the Taiwanese guys in this photo with Palau
President Tommy Remengesau and First Lady Debbie, gave me $10.00 for
accompanying a group of Taiwanese singers who sung 2 popular Palauan songs.
Also included in this photo are Minister Baklai Temengil, the Palau National
Olympic Committee General Secretary, Social Security Administrator Greg
Ngirmang, where I tuned his piano many years ago, and the 2 top persons of
Palau Royal Resort—Chairman Lin and President Liao.
Sources: Music and Me
By Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
March 15, 2012 -- April 2013
http://palau-chess.blogspot.com
April 2013 --October 22, 2015
Chess and Music (Perfect Combination)
The Beginning of Chess in Palau
By Roberto Hernandez
June 09, 2002 -- October 22, 2015
To be published as a book in the future
