(1538) MUSIC AND ME (May 10, 2018) A LITTLE PUSH

3 JAPANESE LADIES -- HAVEN'T DECIDED YET TO EAT ALA CARTE OR BUFFET

When they arrive at Waves Restaurant of Palau Royal Resort on the eve of Sept. 06, 2017, they haven't decided yet if they will have dinner by ala carte or buffet.

A little push or convincing by F & B Manager Mervin Lee Cuyugan and they all have decided to have buffet dinner.

When they are starting to have their dinner, I played all Japanese songs. I can feel/sense that they like music as they are singing softly or humming while I am playing those Japanese songs.

After paying their bill, they stand near me and watch me play. When I play songs

 sung by lady singers like Nada Sou Sou, they are singing with it.

When I played the most popular Japanese song among middle-aged Japanese women--Oribia o Kikinagara, they sang a little louder and they know the lyrics!.

 I followed it up with Madonna Tachi No Lullaby and Anata. When I played the Kawa No Nagareno Yoni, they are very impressed with the quick strikes of the piano keys especially before the chorus part of the song.

And also the instrumental part of the Japanese song "For You" where I played 4 keys of the piano all at the same time for a "blowing or string" effect. 

After their dinner, and before going out of the restaurant, they thank me and ask a staff of PRR to take photos with us at the piano. 

ALTHOUGH I HAVEN'T GOT ANY TIPS FROM THEM, IT'S OKAY FOR ME. THE IMPORTANT THING IS... THEY ENJOY THE NIGHT AT WAVES RESTAURANT WITH MY MUSIC.

Ten days later, Sept. 16, 2017, I have a Japanese couple enjoying my music at the Breeze Bar of PRR. I gave them my 2 song books (1 American songs, and the other is all Japanese songs).

They have sung more than 8 songs already when another 2 Japanese ladies came and upon telling them that they are having a good time singing, they sit at the same table. The staff has to add another 2 tables as if they will be ordering food.

The notebook with the picture of my wife and me during the Feb. 21, 2009 brunch buffet at Palau Pacific Resort is my index notebook of all the songs that I can play (about 2,000 songs). It is color-coded notebook where I wrote blue for blue notebook with a code (B) and next to it is the page of the song. Red for the red (R) notebook where the last few pages are 67 of The Beatles songs. Dark Blue (DB) for dark blue notebook, where the last few pages were international songs. Green for green notebook, The last few pages of this notebook are all Palauan songs. Violet for violet notebook (still not completed yet) and 1 separate notebook for OPM (Original Pilipino Music) where I have handwritten less than 300 songs. At the index notebook, I wrote the titles of OPM songs with a red ball pen and no color coding for it but the page referral has OPM before the page of the song.


They enjoyed the next hour of singing even the oldest Japanese songs like Subaru, Kokoni Sachiari, Kimito Itsumademo, Ihoujin and many more.

The way they are enjoying the night, I thought that I will get big tips but not a single cent.
IT'S NOT MY NIGHT, THOUGH.

Sources:

Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

Tia Belau Newspaper

December 29, 2002 -- July 01, 2018

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 -- July 01, 2018

The History of Chess in Palau

By Roberto Hernandez

June 09, 2002 -- July 01, 2018

(1529) MUSIC AND ME (April 19, 2018) WHO CAN BEAT THIS? -Japanese Lady Singing "Subaru" and 4 American/Russian Couples DANCED!

WHO CAN BEAT THIS?
Japanese Lady Singing "Subaru"
and 4 American/Russian 
Couples Danced!

TWO young Japanese ladies and their grandpa came at Breeze Bar of Palau Royal Resort in April 17, 2018. There are already a group of 10 American/Russians next to their table. 

My first song for the Japanese is "Yume No Tochu" as the large group is not listening to my music.

I notice that they like Japanese songs so I give them my songbook of Japanese and American popular songs to Japanese.

The Japanese lady at left went back to their room and when she come back, she gave me $20.00 tip. I think they don't have cash so she get from their room. What I don't like is when she put her glass of drink on top of the keyboard. I remember in 1988 at Khayam Taverna (Greek Restaurant in Bahrain, where I played Greek/Arabic music with my partner from Cyprus Antonis Sergiou) where a guest accidentally pour his white wine on the keyboard that I am playing and it got defective.

They gave me also a glass of red wine. I sang Yesterday, Tsugunai, Wakaretemo Sukinahito, Kawa No Nagareno Yo Ni, and the very hard song "Tsunami", where both of the ladies sang with me.

After every song, both of them is giving me high fives, which I haven't experienced from Japanese ladies.

 When this lady at my left sang "Subaru", the 4 American/Russian couples danced!
   It's a wonderful and first time experience for me to see Americans/Europeans dancing to a Japanese sing-along music (live!) And she is singing it without looking at my songbook. I know by heart only 70% of the song.

If I had the chance to video that moment, it should have been a wonderful and touching moment.

We continue singing more Japanese songs -- Ihoujin, Kampai, Sukiyaki (Ueo mu ite) and Love is Over. When she sing "For You", I sing with her to make my diction better because that song is the most popular Japanese song in the Philippines that everywhere I go (weddings, reunions, karaoke bars), that song is always requested--in Japanese.

Another high five after that song.



At 11:00 pm, I stopped playing music and while I am securing the keyboard, the 2 Japanese ladies gave me more high fives. I gave them also my card.



Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
               Tia Belau Newspaper
               December 29, 2002--May 30, 2018

               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 -- May 30, 2018

               The History of Chess in Palau
               By Roberto Hernandez
               June 09, 2002--May 30, 2018

(1484) MUSIC AND ME (Dec. 14, 2017) I'VE GOT $110.00 TIP FROM 4 JAPANESE GUYS ON DEC. 07, 2017

I'VE GOT $110.00 TIP FROM 

4 JAPANESE GUYS ON 

DEC. 07, 2017

 It was a quiet night at Waves Restaurant of Palau Royal Resort on the night of Dec. 07, 2017 with only few guests and I'm not in the mood to play whatever songs I'd like to play because nobody is listening.

Until 4 Japanese guys came and ordered food and drinks. I started to play all Japanese songs. One of them, the guy at the right, come to me and he sing with me the song "Subaru". After the song, he gave me, to my surprise, $100.00 tip! He put it on top of the piano. When he left, I resume playing Japanese songs and put the $100.00 in the pocket of my polo shirt to avoid jealousy among co-employees who will see it.

 I come to their table with my Japanese songs songbook and give them my card. I ask them if they would like to request Japanese songs. The guy, 2nd from right, said, "It's Christmas time. Do you know "Happy Christmas?" I said, yes, Happy Christmas (War is Over) by John Lennon.

 I know the song by heart as it is one of the songs the we played/sang during the PRR Christmas Tree lighting on Dec. 02, 2017 at the lobby of the hotel with 24 staff members of the PRR choir. When I play/sing it, the chorus part of the song were sang by lady staff, making it a harmonious melody by piano instrumental, my singing and the ladies.

After that song, the generous guy added $10.00 tip which I didn't put in my polo pocket so that the staff will see that I've got only $10.00 tip from them and then took 2 photos with the money ($110.00) with them and a lady staff in the background.

When I posted these photos on Facebook, there goes 2 calls from my wife Flor Miranda-Hernandez asking me to give her half of it ($50.00) as she is getting short of cash for food and personal needs. I willingly gave it to her.





Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
               Tia Belau Newspaper
               December 29, 2002 -- March 03, 2018

               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 -- March 03, 2018

              The History of Chess in Palau
              By Roberto Hernandez
              June 09, 2002 -- March 03, 2018

(996) MUSIC EXPERIENCE OF ROBERTO HERNANDEZ (The Crying Old Japanese Guy)

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 

(718) MUSIC AND ME (Feb. 27, 2014) DANCING OLD JAPANESE

A DIFFERENT KIND OF AMBIANCE
    These 7 old Japanese guests enjoyed my music by dancing all around the piano. Most of the times, when Japanese enjoy my music and sang some songs, they are giving me tips. This time it's different. They enjoyed dancing for more than 30 minutes, have photos for souvenirs but none of them remember to give me something. I don't feel sad about it. It's my pleasure to see them enjoy my music through singing and dancing.                                       (Photo by Roberto Hernandez -- taken by Jovelyn Rodriguez)


           DANCING OLD JAPANESE
  
ON March 16, 2014, I've experience a different kind of experience with some old Japanese guests. 

There's a group of old Japanese in one long table. They are drinking and talking.

When I started playing Japanese songs, 2 couples danced. Another couple joined them, and another one.

The other guests (Taiwanese, Americans) also enjoyed watching them having a good time. 

I'm not worried that the General Manager or Food and Beverage staff will stop them because it's the singing that's not allowed but this one is dancing.

I played a mixture of upbeat and slow tempo Japanese songs --Futari De Osakeo, Kimito Itsumademo, Tsugunai, Sakeo, Sukiyaki, Subaru, etc.

There's no disco or rock n roll in those songs so they can lasts for 30 minutes of some sort of ballroom dancing. 

While they are doing the "chain" dancing, that's the time that somebody suggested to have a picture (the one above).

In the 2nd photo, new Executive Chef Daisuke Kunii and Jovelyn Rodriguez (bartender) joined in the photo session.

   

   

Source: Chess And Music (Perfect Combination)
               The Beginning of Chess In Palau
               By Roberto Hernandez
               May 2014
               To be published as a book in the future
      

(663) AMERICAN GIRL SINGING JAPANESE SONG "SUKIYAKI"

BEEN IN JAPAN FOR 7 YEARS
    This American girl surprised me when she sings "Sukiyaki" while I'm playing it instrumentally. She and her family (dad, mom, elder sister and youngest brother) stayed in Japan for 7 years. THAT'S WHY!
                                                 (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)



ON NOVEMBER 30, 2013, two of my morning music students have cancelled their lessons (Anthea Escobido and Shinji Otsuka).

I just watched NBA basketball and teach Dichem Tmetchul chess for 2 hours from 2-4pm.

We have many guests when I played piano at Waves Restaurant of Palau Royal Resort from 7-9pm.

I'm alternating international songs (American, Taiwanese and Japanese) because we have those guests having dinner.

When I played the Japanese song "Sukiyaki", an American girl who is getting food from the buffet stands near me and sung the lyrics of that song in Japanese.

I know the lyrics of "Sukiyaki" by heart and while playing it, I sang it with her -- the last part "Hitori bochi no yoru". Then she proceeds to their table with his dad, mom, elder sister and younger brother.

After finishing the song, I'm still amaze of how she knows the song. It's my first time to hear an American girl singing Japanese song.

Her family left one by one with her still in the rest room. She proceeded to me directly and I give her my card.

I asked her, "Can you read my name written in Japanese?" She can read my name "Roberto" easily but struggles reading my surname.  

I asked her again, "How did you learn to sing Japanese song?" She replied, "because we lived in Japan for 7 years."

I asked her if we can have a picture together. I took my Japanese song book and turn the page where the "Sukiyaki" song is located. We hold that page and 2 photos were taken. THIS IS THE 2ND ONE...

Source: Chess And Music (Perfect Combination)
             The Beginning of Chess In Palau
             By Roberto Hernandez
             December 2013
             To be published as a book in the future