Before coming to Palau in Feb. 04, 1992, I used to play piano in this restaurant alternating with a colleague Francis Viologo. The place is within the perimeter of Greenbelt Shopping Complex where The Plaza Restaurant, The Plaza Cafe and Aristocrat Restaurant are located.
PLAYING PIANO 7 HOURS STRAIGHT!
In 1984, The Plaza Restaurant, where I’ve worked as
in-house artist/waiter/pianist for 15 years, has been relocated to the
Greenbelt Area, same city of Makati. Its mother company, The Aristrocat, has
been built up besides the building, just across the Greenbelt Shopping Center,
while the Aling Asiang Specialty Restaurant was positioned in the center of The
Plaza building facing the huge parking area where the Battle of the Bands was
held a few years later.
I’ve
resumed working at Plaza Café, the annexed restaurant of The Aristocrat, as
waiter. This was a couple of years later after coming back from Japan for a
6-month performance with The First Quarter Band in Kagoshima City (Feb.
04-Sept. 28, 1982).
The
twin pianists at Aling Asiang, Edwin and Edward, were alternating in playing at
Aling Asiang using the very good Yamaha Baby Grand Piano. Then there are times
when Edward is playing the upright piano at The Plaza Café. Edwin plays better
than Edward that’s why he is playing now solely at Aling Asiang. I remember
there is a customer who asked the Supervisor Eddie Faustino, why Edward plays
that way, many times out of timing. One guy guest requested to him the song “Windmills
of Your Mind” and he is lost in the middle of the song. I knew that song better
than him.
A
few months later, Edward didn’t play anymore at The Plaza Café while Edwin
still plays at Aling Asiang. My wife Flor conceived our first child during this
period while she is working at SM Shoemart in Cubao, Quezon City. I used to
drop her at the bus stop in Buendia Avenue using the bicycle that was given to
me by Masato and Kimiko Iwagawa in Japan. I’m using that bike also in going to
work, which is just less than a kilometer away from our rented room.
During
this time also that I’ve organized the first chess tournament among employees
of The Plaza Café and Aristocrat Restaurant, where I am the provider of chess
equipments, one mechanical chess clock and sponsor of the wooden chess trophies
for the top 4 finishers in the shape of King for champion, Queen for 2nd
place, Rook for 3rd place and Knight or Bishop for 4th
place.
While
working as waiter, I used to play the piano if I don’t have guests in my area of
duty. I remember on Sunday lunch time that I’m serving the family of Filipino
actress, Caridad Sanchez, and when they are finished with their meal, I started
to play the upright piano. She likes my selection of songs and gave me 20.00
pesos tip!
The
management gave me full time job now as pianist inside The Plaza Café and
sometimes they will put the piano outside the terrace of both Plaza Café and
Aristocrat if there is an occasion like what happened in the eve of Valentine’s
Day 1984.
I
will be playing from 5pm-12midnight on this romantic day for Filipinos. I ate
my dinner at 4pm and will eat supper after 12midnight. The terrace and inside
of Plaza Café are half full at 5pm. Most tables at set for couples. At 6pm, the
place is full with many couples waiting at the door for tables to be vacated to
get seated, as I continue to play without break. My usual routine in playing
piano is—after a song, there is only about 5 seconds interval to start the next
one.
At
past 9pm, there are 2 ladies enjoying my music. One of them is flirting with
me. When I played the song “Hello” by Lionel Richie, she is singing with the
song and she emphasizes on the last 3 words of the song—“And let me start by
saying “I Love You”.
As I
am about to take a break at 10pm, the family of 5 who used to give me big tips
arrive! I sat down again at the piano and finished my 7-hour playing without a
break. As usual, I’ve got tips again from that family. My wife dropped by there
from work with my friend Fernando Vergara at past 10pm.
Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
December 29, 2002--May 10, 2017
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 10, 2017
The History of Chess in Palau
By Roberto Hernandez
June 09, 2002--May 10, 2017
