(1311) MUSIC AND ME (Sept. 15, 2016) LUCKY TO HAVE SHANE ABELLERA --My Best Guitar Student!

WE BOTH LIKE CLASSIC AND OLD SONGS
     I've never had a guitar student as talented and well-educated, with music of the 60's, 70's and 80's as Shane Abellera. I learned more from him than all my guitar students combined! I'm very lucky to have a student like him.
                              (Photo by Shane Abellera)



LUCKY TO HAVE SHANE ABELLERA-
          My Best Guitar Student!

When I teach guitar to Brandon Kyle Lagmay Soriano, I was recommended by the mother of one of my girl keyboard  students. I charge him the same as that girl -- $8.00/hour if it is twice a week.

Kyle's parents, Bruce and Violet Soriano, then recommended me to teach Shane Abellera and his cousin Samantha Tsao.

When I talk to her mom, Noel, about the day and time of their music lessons, she said, "You're a very busy man." It's because I told her my hectic schedule from Monday-Saturday with Japanese, Filipinos, Palauans, Taiwanese - including the Minister of Taiwan Embassy Joseph Ma.

We agreed on teaching Shane and Sam at Shane's house on Friday-- 2:30-3:30 for Sam and 3:30-4:30 to Shane and then I will proceed to teach Kyle guitar at 5-6pm.

On the next day, Saturday morning, one hour each again for Sam - 8-9am and Shane 9-10am.

I tried teaching Sam guitar on Fridays and keyboard on Sat. and it works well. Sam has learned guitar earlier so she's much better than Kyle.

When I teach Shane keyboard, the result is discouraging. He's really not for keyboard or piano. I also discovered that Shane is a Beatles fanatic. He's got a thick book with all Beatles songs and the years of those songs. I have many hand-write songs of the Beatles -- about 67, and many of those, I don't know the years that those are written.



  





One of the most interesting story I've learned from Shane is this epic story of Simon & Garfunkel's "The Sounds of Silence". 

  

 

HERE ARE SOME OF SHANE'S REPERTOIRE:

1. American Pie (Don McClean)
2. Across The Universe (Beatles)
3. A Day In The Life (Beatles)
4. Act Naturally (Beatles)
5. A Little Help from my Friends (Beatles)
6. Jambalaya (Carpenters, Hank Williams)
7. The Lady Wants To Know (Michael Franks)
8. Uptown Girl (Billy Joel)
9. Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da (Beatles)
10. Two of Us (Beatles)
11. Rocky Racoon (Beatles)
12. Golden Slumbers (Beatles)
13. Rock N Roll Music (Beatles)
14. A Little Help From my Friends (Beatles)
15. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Beatles)
16. Hotel California (Eagles)
17. I'm A Believer (The Monkeys)
18. Lost in Love (Air Supply)
19. Free Fallin'
20. Mud on the Tire (Bradley Pease)
21. Surfin' USA (Beach Boys)
22. California Girls (Beach Boys)
23. Don't Be Cruel (Elvis Presley)
24. Take Me Home, Country Roads (John Denver)
25. Oh Carol (Neil Sedaka)
26. Live and Let Die (Paul McCartney and Wings)
27. Crazy Little Thing Called Love (Queen)
28. We Are The Champions (Queen)
29. I Can't Get No Satisfaction (Rolling Stones)
30. Black Magic Woman (Santana)
31. Top of The World (Carpenters)
32. Everyday (Buddy Holly and the Crickets)
33. In My Life (Beatles)
34. Crocodile Rock (Elton John)
35. Hound Dog (Elvis Presley)
36. Daydream Believer (The Monkeys)
37. Always on my Mind (Willie Nelson)
38. It's Nice to be With You (The Monkeys) 
39. I Wanna Be Free (The Monkeys)
40.Sweet Caroline (Neil Diamond)
41. Love on the Rocks (Neil Diamond)
42. Day Tripper (Beatles)
43. Help (Beatles)
44. Annie's Song (John Denver)
45. Sunshine on my Shoulder (John Denver)
46. Ben (Michael Jackson)
47. The Gambler (Kenny Rogers)
48. Coward of the County (Kenny Rogers)
49. Woman (John Lennon)
50. Jailhouse Rock (Elvis Presley)
51. Proud Mary (Creedence Clearwater Revivial)
52. Homeward Bound (Simon and Garfunkel)
53. Wonderful Christmastime
54. Pipes of Peace (Paul McCartney)
55. Ring of Fire (Johnny Cash)
56. Let It Be (Beatles)
57. Yesterday (Beatles)
58. Oh My Love (John Lennon)
59. Nowhere Man (Beatles)
60. Stray Heart (Green Day)
61. Good Riddance (Time of your Life) (Green Day)
62. Dahil sa Iyo (Filipino song)
63. Happy Christmas (War is Over) John Lennon
64. Last Christmas (Wham!)
65. Ghost Riders in the Sky (Johnny Cash)       




Sources: 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 -- December 11, 2016 

(1227) Music & Me (April 21, 2016) Mr. Yasu is Intrigued with "Most Effective Method-Japanese Birth Control"

MR. YASU AND ROBERTO HAVING PHOTO SESSION
    While Mr. Yasu's family are busy surfing the internet, Roberto asked for a photo session with him at the keyboard. Mr. Yasu is intrigue with Roberto's own 'joke' of combining some Japanese, Chinese and his own characters about the joke of "The Most Effective Method -- Japanese Birth Control."
                                         (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)



MR. YASU IS INTRIGUE WITH "THE MOST 
  EFFECTIVE METHOD -- JAPANESE BIRTH
                     CONTROL"

On March 24, 2016, our last customers at Breeze Bar of Palau Royal Resort are Japanese family of 4, who arrive at about 10pm. Last order is 11:30 and the place will close at 12mn.

                At first, they are not much listening to my rendition of Japanese songs. When I play “Let It Be” by the Beatles, the father is singing with me. He knows the lyrics and his diction is good. I played Japanese and American songs alternatively and they begun to appreciate my music.

                I gave them my song book to look for songs that they like to request but they are not interested. The other members of the family (the mother and two young boys) are busy surfing the internet, which is offered free since a few months ago, if guests will order drinks of at least $10.00 worth.

                After less than an hour of playing for them, the father gave me $10.00 tip. I asked him why they can speak English very well and he said they are living in the USA and comes to Palau and it's their last night in Palau and will leave early in the morning on their way to Japan. They are just biding their time before the flight. Later he asked me about the last page of the songbook where the word “Most Effective Method – Japanese Birth Control” is written with “Japanese” or “Chinese” characters which no Japanese, Chinese or Koreans can read. It’s because I just made it up.

   THE MOST EFFECTIVE METHOD --
    Japanese/Chinese Birth Control


Calling the attention of all Japanese or Chinese who found out the most effective method of birth control in the mid-70's.

After the end of World War II, the "Baby Boom" became the trend. Sixty years later, China's population topped the world.

Japan's population was somehow slowed by their citizens getting married at their late 30's or early 40's. And they don't want to have more than 3 children.

China and Japan found out the most effective method of birth control through the characters shown above.

THE ANSWER WILL BE REVEALED ON THE NEXT ISSUE OF MUSIC AND ME (Oct. 01, 2015 -- Palau's 21 years of Independence).


MY JAPANESE FRIENDS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO SOLVE THIS METHOD:

1. Michiko Nakamura 2. Satoku Uehara 3. Kuma Katsutoshi 4. Yoshiharu Kurata 5. Takao Anzawa 6. Akemi Tsuji 7. Allen Kangichi 8. Aya Asanuma 9. Bumpei Iwata 10. Gene Nakauchi 11. Gladys Husiro 12. Grace Baconga Otsuka 13. Hiromi Mochizuki 14. Isao Takahashi 15. Oribia Kikinagara 16. Jane Kiki 17. Titi Cabunagan 18. Kikimo Mikuto 19. Guapo Kamukako 20. Pangit Kamukamo 21. Sushi Motto 22. John Masaichi 23. Yuriko Cho Irikidemoto 24. Manabu Hotta 25. Masao Kikuchi 26. Yutaka Taiku 27. Baho Taimo 28. Morton Sawaichi 29. Quincy Kuniyoshi 30. Rholfie "Roy" Eis 31. Santy Asanuma 32. Shinji Chibana 33. Shinji Otsuka 34. Shohei Nakatsugawa 35. Taro Watanabe 36. Motoko Watanabe 37. Michiko Suzuki 38. Rintaro Mita 39. Nao Yasuda 40. Koichi Matsuda 41. Koji Tomita 42. Yoko Tomita 43.


MY CHINESE/TAIWANESE FRIENDS LIKEWISE:

1. Ai Lin Liao 2. Michelle Liao 3. Vincent Chen 4. Ethan Zhao 5. Brad Hsu 6. Carol Hsu 7. Yoyo Hsue 8. Ivan Lau 9. Kung Yi Cheng 10. Lily Dai 11. Tom Tu 12. Steven Chen 13. Joseph Ma 14. Noel Tsao

                He asked me, “What is the answer to this? I cannot read those characters.”

                I folded the paper in the middle lengthwise and folded it another time lengthwise again at the right side and the word “Sleep Alone” can be read downwards. He is amazed by the witty, tricky and innovative joke of that kind. I asked him if he would like to share it to his family. He refused and I told him some memorable experiences that I encountered especially with Japanese guests including “The Crying Lone Japanese in March 28, 2008.

A PIANO WITH A VIEW
     Roberto Hernandez plays piano at Waves Restaurant of Palau Royal Resort from 6:00-9:00 pm every night except Friday (his day off). From 9:00-11:00 pm, he plays keyboard at Breeze Bar, about 30 meters from Waves Restaurant.
                                                                                                                                                           (Photo by: Jaime Guevarra)


         MUSIC EXPERIENCE OF ROBERTO HERNANDEZ
                                          (THE CRYING OLD JAPANESE GUY)

BEFORE CHRISTMAS 2007, the Queen of Koror, Palau Bilung Gloria Salii, her husband Carlos and daughter Uroi had dinner at Waves Restaurant. They gave me $10.00 tip and a glass of red wine.

Before they go home, I talked to Bilung and said, “I would like to give you a Christmas present. I will tune your piano for free before the end of this year.”

I became very busy and haven’t done my promise.

On her birthday, January 05, 2008, they had dinner again at Waves Restaurant with 3 other guests. I played all their favorite songs. She gave me $10.00 tip, a glass of red wine and a slice of her birthday cake.

After three weeks, they had another dinner at Waves and after giving me $5.00 tip this time, I asked for her telephone number at home so that I can set the date of tuning their piano. She said 488-6216.

On March 19, 2008 (Wednesday), I saw her at the entrance of Surangel’s Department Store. I said I will call her on Tuesday (March 25) and will tune their piano on Wednesday (March 26) which I did. After tuning their piano for 2 hours, she is ready to issue me a check but I said I promise to tune it for free as Christmas present. She gave me bananas instead!

The next day, God gave me more that I expected.

 While halfway on my piano playing at Waves Restaurant, a lone, old Japanese guy sits at a table about 7 meters from the piano. Ten minutes later, I started to play the Japanese song “Kawa No Nagareno Yo Ni”. In the middle of that song, I saw him get something from his front pocket- it’s a handkerchief! He is crying and was carried away by my expressive playing.

The two waitresses Maricar Baules and Maricel Carlos saw him crying and asked why. He pointed at me and I played with more expression. Goosebumps are all over my arms and body which I rarely feel when playing with much expression. I followed it up with another Japanese song “Subaru”. He cried more. The handkerchief is all wet!

When I played the song "Kou Jou No Tsuki", he pointed at the sky as the song is about moon. Tsuki is Japanese word for moon.

Fifteen minutes later, he gave me tip. I put it on the piano music stand. Edgar Cayanan, the Assistant Food & Beverage Manager said, “Kuya”, (Older brother) “I don’t think that’s the color of a $5.00 bill.” He checked the tip and said “It is a hundred dollar!” I just continue to play and ignore him as I don’t look at the amount of tip I get until the giver has left.

Edgar told about it to Maricar and Maricel. The two also checked the tip and said. “It’s really $100.00! Can we have some?”

 When the generous man left, a Japanese couple sat at the same table where he sat. The guy requested 3 Japanese songs (Goodbye My Love, Itoshino Elly and the third one, I forgot). I was able to play all those 3 songs and he gave me $1.00 tip!

 Philippine Ambassador to Palau Ramoncito Marino, the biggest supporter of chess in Palau, and his wife Issa were having dinner at that time with an old Japanese lady guest. When he sat down at the piano to play a couple of songs, that’s the only time I look at the tip- it’s really $100.00. I said to the Ambassador, “Look, sir, a Japanese guy gave me $100.00 tip without requesting and another guy who requested 3 songs gave me $1.00”.

The next day, Friday, Edgar said that the man who gave me $100.00 tip last night said he made a mistake in giving me that amount. I said, “It is okay, I haven't spend it yet and when he comes back, I’ll give him back the $100.00 and it’s up to him to decide how much he really wants to give me.”

On Saturday evening, he comes back. While having dinner at the same table, I played all the other Japanese songs that I didn’t play on that Thursday night. When I play the 2 songs that made him cry, he didn’t cry anymore.

 After his dinner, he comes to me with Cathy (Chinese waitress) by his side. He said, “Do you know the guy who plays piano in the cruise by the name of Norman?” I said, “No. Does he play Japanese songs also?” He said yes but only a few. Then he gave me tip again and I put it in my polo shirt pocket. And he left for Japan. Maricel saw that he gave me again and asked how much. I looked at it and it’s another $100.00!

He didn’t make a mistake. Edgar is just kidding me and maybe jealous.


Source: Chess and Music (Perfect Combination)
             The Beginning of Chess in Palau
             By Roberto Hernandez
             December 2007
             To be published as a book in the future 

I'VE GOT the "Most Effective Method -- Japanese Birth Control" idea when I am watching an electronic fair at The Plaza Restaurant where I worked for many years in late '70's and early '80's.

In the booth where they are selling typewriters, I tried the electric typewriter typing the Top 50 chess players of the world. I started with Robert James Fischer(2780), Anatoly Karpov (2700), Viktor Korchnoi (2670) Boris Spassky (2650), Tigran Petrosian (2640), Mikhail Tal (2635), Lev Polugaevsky (2630), Ljubomir Kavalek (2625), Henrique Mecking (2615), Efim Geller (2610), Ljubomir Ljubojevic (2605), Vassily Smyslov (2600), Jan Smejkal (2600), Gennady Kuzmin (2600), Vlastimil Hort (2600), Ulf Andersson (2580)...

Then I heard somebody asking, "What number is Eugene Torre?" and I type No. 20 Eugene Torre. Although it's not yet that high, Torre reached that mark when he reached the Candidates Matches to determine the challenger to the world champion. 2580 was the highest that Eugene got, where very few have reached the 2600 mark. 

Just next to that booth was the amazing and simple "Japanese" character that says "Most Effective Method -- Japanese Birth Control."

I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE ANSWER, THAT NO JAPANESE OR CHINESE CAN READ THOSE 'CHARACTERS'...

TO BE ABLE TO SOLVE IT, YOU MUST PRINT THE 'CHARACTERS' FIRST. THEN FOLD IT IN THE MIDDLE. FOLD IT AGAIN (1/4) AT RIGHT SIDE AND THEN YOU CAN FIGURE IT OUT IF YOU WILL CONNECT THE 1/4 FOLDED 'CHARACTERS' TO THE FOLDED MIDDLE PART.  



HERE IT IS!
                                      

Sources: Music and Me by Roberto Hernandez

               Tia Belau Newspaper

              March 15, 2012 – April 2013

              http://palau-chess.blogspot.com

             April 2013—April 21, 2016

             Chess and Music (Perfect Combination)

            The Beginning of Chess in Palau

            By Roberto Hernandez

            To be published as a book in the future