(248) CYRIL STAYS UNBEATEN, ESCAPATORIA REPLACES CABUSO

FINALLY A COMPETITOR

Gonzalo 'Jojo' Escapatoria, standing, watches a senior game between Jimmy Valenzuela and Jess Toldoya, right. Palau's no. 1 player Menandro 'Boy' Manuel and JR Agustin, left, also watch beside both players in the 2004 Non-master chess tourney. Escapatoria played his first serious chess game in the Class B of 2009 Palau NCC.

(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

CYRIL STAYS UNBEATEN;

ESCAPATORIA REPLACES

CABUSO

PALAU'S number 2 chess player Cyril Montel, Jr. kept his perfect 4-0 record intact after another win over 4th seed Roberto Hernandez in the resumption of 2009 Palau National Chess Championship held on Sunday, November 22 at D. J. Cruz General Merchandise premises.

Hernandez employed the Bird's Opening which he unsuccessfully used in a rapid chess tournament against Cyril in 2004.

He deviated on the 5th move that exposed his kingside. With 36 minutes left on his clock to make 20 moves, Cyril sacrificed a bishop to weave a mating net 5 moves later to force Hernandez' resignation after 24 moves.

Right before their game, Gonzalo 'Jojo' Escapatoria joined the Class B of the NCC replacing Rustum Cabuso, who never showed up for more than a month.

Jojo was taught first how to write chess moves before playing an official game against Jimboy de Jesus, where he lost in 45 moves of another Bird's Opening.

In the Chess Mate March 19-26, 2004 issue, Escapatoria was featured as "SPECTATOR NOT COMPETITOR" where he was the first to register in the 2004 Non-master Chess tournament but because of job schedule conflict, he missed the first 3 weeks and became an avid spectator instead of a competitor.

Flavin 'Matlab' Andres finally played his first game of Class B division. Prior to his match against Jimboy, he showed a magic trick using a deck of cards to Hernandez and the small crowd ala David Blaine.

He lost to Jimboy in 25 moves of another Bird's Opening.

On Wednesday, November 18, Jimboy suffered his 2nd loss in 39 moves of yet another Bird's Opening to Mario Ramos.

Palau's top player Menandro 'Boy' Manuel will play his game against Hernandez on Nov. 29 at 6:00 pm while Cyril will play as many games as he can to catch up.

In the Class A of Paquito Suringa Cup Rapid Chess tournament at Palau Royal Resort, invited player Joel Flor swept and ousted Andres 'Aying' Mestizo II and injected life to Pax and Jaime Guevarra's bid to make it to the semifinals.

It will depend on the last remaining 4 games of another invited player Arnel Ogalesco, who needs at least a win and a draw in his 2 games vs. Robert 'Tube Ice' Tubice and 2 games against Jomar Alerta.

Due to the schedule conflict of Tubice and Alerta, it is now official that semifinals and finals will be played on Nov. 29. All remaining games will be declared drawn games.

THE SEMIFINAL MATCHES WILL BE:

1. Roberto Hernandez vs. 4. Arnel Ogalesco and 2. Nino Flores vs. 3 Joel Flor at 4:00 pm at PRR Dorm 1.

The 2009 Palau NCC is sponsored by PALIBHASA group of Bobby and Ogie Pineda, Jun dela Cruz ($60.00 cash prize) and by Bhoey Gopez of Island Logistics, Lucio Bandibas of WCTC and Ed Martinez of Print Zone (5 trophies)

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez

Tia Belau Newspaper

Pages 13 & 15

Volume 18

Issue 48

November 30-December 06, 2009

(247) GOPEZ,BANDIBAS,MARTINEZ

GIANT CHESSBOARD NOW WITH PIECES

Third round matches between Craig Dittrich, left, vs. Paquito 'Pax' Suringa, Jr. and Jaime Guevarra, 2nd from left, vs. Joel Flor. The giant chessboard with pieces now in the background was made by Roberto Hernandez 4 years ago as an added attraction to incite interest to chess in Palau mostly played outdoors. It's noisy most of the time but that's Palau's local chess!

INSET:

Michael Mercado -- Perfect 3-0 start.

Flavin Andres -- Shortest win of the tourney.

Jun Mahor -- Very active now.

(Photos by Roberto Hernandez)

BHOEY GOPEZ, LUCIO BANDIBAS,

ED MARTINEZ SPONSOR

5 TROPHIES;

BERNARD, MICHAEL, ELPI,

CRAIG SCORED 3RD WIN

MORE AND more supports are coming while the 2009 Palau National Chess Championship is on its penultimate qualifying round held on Saturday and Sunday (September 12 & 13, 2009) at D. J. Cruz General Merchandise premises.

Mr. Bhoey Gopez, the Operations and Logistics Manager of Island Logistics, Lucio Bandibas of WCTC and Ed Martinez of Print Zone are sponsoring 5 trophies. They are members of Alpha Phi Omega (APO) Palau chapter.

Mr. Ogie Pineda, his brother Bobby and Jun dela Cruz are ready to chip in for the cash prizes of the top 5 finishers of the NCC.

Mr. Gary Bekker, Oceania Zone President, is happy to fund any required application fees to have Palau Chess Federation affliated with Palau National Olympic Committee.

He will also seek for World Chess Federation (FIDE) Development Committee for several DGT clocks and a small laptop computer (netbook) to be provided to the PCF in the future.

Palau Chess Federation Secretary/Treasurer Roberto Hernandez responded with gratefulness to those persons especially to Mr. Bekker and asked him not to send DGT clocks as PCF has more clocks than chess boards and pieces.

Only 4 sets are left as players who left Palau for good brought with them these equipments.

Three employees of Palau Royal Resort (Jaime Guevarra, Paquito 'Pax' Suringa, Jr. and Elizalde Madrinan) are having the same day off on Saturday (Sept. 13) and they all went to the tournament site at 4:00 pm after Hernandez set 3 matches: 1. Joel Flor vs. Guevarra 2. Craig Dittrich vs. Pax and 3. Elizalde vs. Flavin Andres.

The 'home court' advantage is not on their favor as Eli suffered his 3rd straight loss to Flavin in just 18 moves of Petroff Defence when Eli lost his queen on the 8th move.

Jaime upended Joel in 53 moves of Sicilian Defence while Pax became impatient and was drubbed by Craig in 45 moves of Queen's Gambit Declined.

Eli was completely ousted from the top 8 with another loss to Jose Misael de Jesus in 37 moves of Irregular Opening in their 4th round clash.

Jimboy earned his first point after succumbing to 3 unknown opponents in the earlier rounds.

And in the last game of Saturday, Mohammad Manik Hossain was also ousted from the top 8 race with another setback. He was outplayed by Joel in 54 moves of Center Counter game.

Six games were played on Sunday, Sept. 13 with Bernard Garcia collecting his 3rd win in a row after trouncing Elpidio Manaligod in 47 moves of King's Pawn Opening.

Tutii Joe Chilton got a win via default when Zaldy Necia didn't show up again to keep his chance intact with 1.5 points.

But Mario Ramos' chances got slimmer when he bowed to Andres 'Aying' Meztizo II in 35 moves of Pirc Defence while Tito Cabunagan toppled Bangladeshi bet Massum Billah in 51 moves of another Center Counter game.

Manaligod bounced back from defeat and dealt Cabunagan his 2nd loss via 48-move conquest of Cabunagan in their Ruy Lopez 4th round encounter.

The longest game so far was the last game of the day --Romeo Caballes vs. Craig Dittrich that lasted almost 4 hours with Craig's patient play paid off and put Caballes' chances hanging in the balance.

Their game is full of controversies such as illegal move, pressing the time clock when it's not his move and improper use of force in putting down or capturing a piece.

These are natural incidents for first-time participants like Caballes, who excelled in badminton and many times single, doubles champion of the sport.

Players are reminded that the time control is 90 minutes to make 40 moves (not 30 moves as earlier announed) and 30 minutes more to finish the game with an increment of 30 seconds starting from move 1.

STANDINGS OF PLAYERS AND THEIR WIN-LOSS-DRAW SLATE:

1. Bernard Garcia (3-0-0) 2. Michael Mercado (3-0-0) 3. Elpidio Manaligod (3-1-0) 4. Craig Dittrich (3-1-0) 5. Andres Mestizo II (2-1-0) 6. Jun Mahor (2-1-0) 7. Jaime Guevarra (2-1-1) 8. Paquito Suringa, Jr. (2-1-1) 9. Romeo Caballes (2-2-0) 10. Tito Cabunagan (2-2-0) 11. Joel Flor (2-2-0) 12. Flavin Andres (1-1-1) 13. Tutii Joe Chilton (1-1-1) 14. Val Vidar (1-2-0) 15. Massum Billah (1-2-0) 16. Mario Ramos (1-2-0) 17. Mohammad Manik Hossain (1-3-0) 18. Jose Misael de Jesus (1-3-0)19. Zaldy Necia (0-3-0) 20. Elizalde Madrinan (0-4-0).

The last game of the 3rd round between 8

Jun Mahor and Michael Mercado was played on the eve of Sept. 17, 2009 and Mercado prevailed in 50 moves of Queen's Pawn Opening to set up a match of 2 unbeated players --Bernard Garcia and Michael Mercado on Sunday's 4th round matches.

The Guevarra vs. Suringa, Jr. game was played likewise on Sept. 17 at Palau Royal Resort Dormitory 1 and it's a draw in 34 moves of Sicilian Defence.

Another new player would like to join. He was advised to show up on Sunday, Sept. 20 and might replace Zaldy Necia.

He can not play anymore in the 2009 PNCC finals. His last 2 games is probably against Ramos and Madrinan in the 5th round.

The other 4th round matches are: 1. Vidar vs. Andres 2. Chilton vs. Billah and 3. Mahor vs. Mestizo II.

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez

Tia Belau Newspaper

Pages 13 & 15

Volume 18

Issue 38

September 21-27, 2009

(246) SENATOR MLIB TO 2014 NORWAY CHESS OLYMPIAD?

    

TEAMMATES AT 2014 CHESS OLYMPIAD?

Jeff Balbalosa, right, has committed to be a team member of 2014 World Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway. His probable teammates are Bernard Garcia, left, and Roberto Hernandez, standing left. In the middle is Joselito Marcos of Papua New Guinea and Paquito Suringa, Jr.
INSET: Senator Mlib Tmetchtul -- first Palauan to make it.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

*INSET PHOTO OF SENATOR MLIB from Tia Belau files.




        SENATOR MLIB TO 2014 NORWAY
                  CHESS OLYMPIAD?

THIS MIGHT be the biggest break that Palau chess is needed to jumpstart its progress and popularity.

In his casual conversation with Senator Mlib Tmetuchl, Roberto Hernandez suggested to him of being a member of Palau Chess team’s delegation to the 2014 World Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway in November.

The Senator, his wife Dixie, Ambassador to Palau Ramoncito Marino, his wife Issa and a Filipino lawyer have a dinner at Waves Restaurant of Palau Royal Resort on Saturday, July 14, 2012.

Hernandez played piano music to them and other guests (more or less 100) till 9:00 pm. He proceeded to Breeze Bar for another 2 hours and they said to him that they will follow him there for more talks and drinks.

At 11:00 pm, before punching out, Hernandez talks to them. Most of their conversation is about chess and about Palau’s chess team that will participate in the 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey.

Ambassador Marino suggested having Senator Mlib be as one of the member of Palau Chess Team to 2014 World Chess Olympiad in Norway. The idea has elicited a smile from the Senator. Ambassador Marino added that it will be the first time that a Palauan will be included in a Palau Chess team competing outside Palau.

In the 2009 Oceania Zonal Chess Championship in Australia, Hernandez represented Palau by himself. In the 2010 World Chess Olympiad in Russia, Hernandez, Tito Cabunagan, Australian Jamie Kenmure and Swedish Jan Berglund had represented Palau.

This time, Hernandez, Menandro Manuel, Bernard Garcia, Elizabeth Manuel, Jan Berglund, Jamie Kenmure and Mohammad Manik Hossain are headed to Istanbul, Turkey in Aug. 27-Sept. 10, 2012 with Manik still waiting for his employer, Uchel Tmechtul, brother of Senator Mlib, to give him permission to go to Istanbul.

Senator Mlib said he will talk to Uchel about it. Hernandez called Manik but he said Uchel and his family are currently in Hawaii for holiday. They will be back on the first week of August and it might be the crucial time for Manik to get Turkish visa.

The perfect position for Senator Mlib in the 2014 WCO is the Head of Delegation, who don’t need to be a good chess player to be one. The 2^nd best position for him is the Team Captain of Palau Women’s Team and the 3^rd is as reserve player of men’s (open) team.

While working on his documents for Turkish visa application at the Philippine Embassy office, Hernandez met Paz Ngiratechekii, a 65-year old retired lady and the grandmother of Michael Jordan (MJ) Ngiratechekii, who participated in 2003 Age Group Chess tournament.

She said she is interested to be in the women’s team for the 2014 World Chess Olympiad in Norway. She’s been to Utah and Hawaii in the USA not for chess but for holiday.

Many will think: “Why is the Palau Chess Team (men and women) sending older delegates/participants?”

THE ANSWER IS–Because many youngsters are not yet serious about chess at this time!

This might be a wake-up call for youngsters and maybe answering the same question with: “IF THE OLDER GENERATION CAN DO IT, WHY NOT US? WE CAN DO BETTER BECAUSE WE ARE THE FUTURE OF CHESS IN PALAU!”

On July 17, 2012, Jeff Balbalosa committed to Hernandez that he wants to be in the Palau Chess Team to Norway. He’s planning way ahead which is the right attitude.

So, the following is the Palau Chess Team tentative line-up to 2014 World Chess Olympiad:

Head of Delegation – Senator Mlib Tmechtul; Delegate – Mr. Jan Berglund; Team Captain –(Men’s) – Jamie Kenmure; Team Captain – (Women’s) –Mohammad Manik Hossain; Men’s Board 1 –Menandro Manuel; Board 2—Roberto Hernandez; Board 3 –Tito Cabunagan; Board 4—Bernard Garcia and reserve—Jeff Balbalosa.

Women’s Team—Board 1 – Angie Parrado; Board 2—Elizabeth Manuel; Board 3—Paz Ngiratechekii; Board 4 and reserve are still available.

Palau top chess player Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. and other interested players should praise what Jeff did. They have to start saving at least $1,500.00 for airfare.

The 2014 World Chess Olympiad is an election year for FIDE Presidency and Hernandez might get some sponsors aside from Senator Mlib’s potentially generous sponsors.

Here are the 5 winners of “Palau Word Search”… 1. Francis Toribiong #7751484 2. Kenji D. who said he found 15“Palau” words #779-2833 3. #778-3004 4. #779-1155 5. Kevin Ngirngemeusch, #778-5836, who was the only one who claimed his prize of $1.00 and a photo session, which he refused. He thought that every Palau word found is worth a dollar so he’s expecting $13.00. I’m going to give him $8.00 if he can find all the 8 “chess” word in the same card.


Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
              Tia Belau Newspaper
              Pages 13 & 15
              Volume 21
             Issue 49
             July 23, 2012

(245) SMILE AND SAY CHESS

ROBERTO Hernandez is also writing about chess in The International Filipino, a once a month magazine, entitled "Smile and say Chess".

This is the first issue:

Roberto Hernandez is currently the Chairman of Knights and Rooks Chess Club (Palau) that was founded in September 15, 2002.

He pioneered chess tournaments in Palau in 2002 while working as a pianist/DJ.

He also writes a chess and music column at Tia Belau, Palau first newspaper.

The 2002 All-Filipino Chess tournament in Palau on June 09, 2002 was the first of its kind and and became annual leading to the attainment of national chess rating for local and Filipino players in the Pacific island nation in the succeeding years.

Now, 28 Palau chess players are listed at www.fide.com and 21 of them have international rating from as low as 1250 to as high as 1863, 1875, 1922 and 1943, which are among the top in other Oceania countries.

* * *

To be in Turkish Olympic Chess Team, the first qualification to be accepted in the men team is --YOU MUST BE BELOW 30 YEARS!

In Turkey, there are lots of youngsters who are very good in chess that's why they are getting the younger players to play in Olympiad, European Championship, etc.

So, to qualify for a Turkish team, you must be below 30 years old.

What about the qualification in the Philippine men team?

According to GM Eugene Torre, as long as you still have an erection, you can still qualified to Philippine men team!

He said even though he's more than 60 years old, he can still play for Philippine team because he's still got an erection!


* * *

By the way, there will be a 2nd Outstanding OFW at the Philippine Embassy (Koror) in July before they closed down.

The Embassy received a lot of complaints because there are still a lot of outstanding OFWs that were not included in the first awarding.

Maybe Amante Caballero will be one to be selected.

Amante has been in Palau for 19 years and hasn't been on vacation for 19 years also.

He worked as bus driver for tourists from the Palau airport to the KB bridge when it fell and paralyzed Palau for a few days. He drove the tourists for free to help Palau recover from the disaster.


Source: The International Filipino Magazine
           July 2012 Issue
           Page 9
           Superstar Column

(244) DITTRICH, CABALLES NARROWLY MADE IT; MERCADO AT 5-0

PAQUITO SURINGA CUP AT PRR DORM 1

2009 Palau National Chess Championship finalist Paquito 'Pax' Suringa, Jr., right, organized the inaugural 'Cup' under his name with 6 chess neophytes participating. Joel Gabris, 2nd from left, Ferdie Altea, left, Morris Apresto, George Gabris, Jerome Ratunil and Rey Alenain, 2nd from right, who finished the single round-robin event with a 2-3 win-loss slate. Ratunil is 3-2 while Apresto is yet to lose a match at 4-0.

INSET:

Kristen Senajon -- Added excitement in Class B

Rustum Cabuso -- 3rd youngest participant

Bernard Garcia -- Darkhorse of the finals.

(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

DITTRICH, CABALLES

NARROWLY MADE IT;

MERCADO AT 5-0

THE TOP 8 qualifiers to the 2009 Palau National Chess Championship are now official with Craig Dittrich and Romeo Caballes narrowly making it despite Dittrich's loss to unbeaten Michael Mercado in just 18 moves of Queen's Gambit Declined.

Caballes' win over Andres 'Aying' Mestizo II in 37 moves of Queen's Pawn Opening secured Dittrich the number 7 spot and Romeo edged out Joel Flor at 8th place with a 9-7.5 tiebreak points.

Joel got his 3rd point via default win over Bernard Garcia, who made it to the finals with the highest tiebreak points of 12.5.

Earlier on Sept. 27 Sunday afternoon at D. J. Cruz General Merchandise premises, Elpidio Manaligod and Jun Mahor drew their 5th round game in 29 moves of King's Pawn Openig to avoid a jam-packed of 9 players with 3 points.

Mario Ramos won by default of Tutii Joe Chilton while the Tito Cabunagan vs. Flavin Andres match was declared a draw as Flavin didn't show up and Tito and his wife went to Guam for 2 weeks on Friday night.

Had Tito didn't go to Guam, he would have tied Craig and Romeo. And with the win-over-the-other tiebeak, Craig will make it. But still, Romeo will prevail in the second tiebreak of playing with the black pieces more (3 times) than Tito (2 times).

The Mohammad Manik Hossain vs. Elizalde Madrinan match was also a default draw while Jose Misael de Jesus got his 2nd point when the replacement of Zaldy Necia, Panfilo Pepito, Jr., didn't show up.

FINAL STANDINGS OF 20 PLAYERS AND THEIR WIN-LOSS-DRAW RECORD:

1. Michael Mercado (5-0-0) 2. Jun Mahor (3-1-1) 3. Elpidio Manaligod (3-1-1) 4. Bernard Garcia (3-2-0) 5. Paquito Suringa, Jr. (2-1-2) 6. Masum Billah (3-2-0) 7. Craig Dittrich (3-2-0) 8. Romeo Caballes (3-2-0) 9. Joel Flor (3-2-0) 10. Mario Ramos (3-2-0) 11. Tito Cabunagan (2-2-1) 12. Jaime Guevarra (2-2-1) 13. Andres Mestizo II (2-3-0) 14. Val Vidar (2-3-0) 15. Jose Misael de Jesus (2-3-0) 16. Flavin Andres (1-2-2) 17. Tutii Joe Chilton (1-3-1) 18. Mohammad Manik Hossain (1-3-1) 19. Elizalde Madrinan (0-4-1) 20. Panfilo Pepito, Jr. (0-5-0)

The 12-man NCC finals have been drawn and it's as follows:

1. Paquito Suringa, Jr. 2. Elpidio Manaligod 3. Roberto Hernandez 4. Jun Mahor 5. Michael Mercado 6. Cyril Montel, Jr. 7. Gene Pastrana 8. Masum Billah 9. Bernard Garcia 10. Craig Dittrich 11. Menandro Manuel 12. Romeo Caballes

THE CLASS B group (non-qualifiers) has been drawn likewise as:

1. Tutii Joe Chilton 2. Jaime Guevarra 3. Flavin Andres 4. Mario Ramos 5. Joel Flor 6. Jose Misael de Jesus 7. Elizalde Madrinan 8. Mohammad Manik Hossain 9. Val Vidar 10. Tito Cabunagan 11. Andres Mestizo II 12. Panfilo Pepito, Jr.

Kristen Senajon, an 18-year-old chess neophyte, has joined the Class B group to become the first women to participate in a Palau chess tourney in 3 years.

The last time that women participated in Palau's tilt was during the inaugural Ambassador Marino Cup in 2006. The 3 ladies were Flor Hernandez, Juvy Bulan and Minda Roa.

Rustum Cabuso, a 25-year old newcomer, joined the bandwagon of a very strong Class B. After Kristen paid her $10.00 registration fee, Rustum paid half of his to set up a 14-player round-robin slam bang.

The 2009 Palau National Chess Championship is sponsored by Jun dela Cruz, Bobby and Ogie Pineda of PALIBHASA ($60.00 cash prizes) and by members of Alpha Phi Omega (APO) Palau Chapter Mr. Bhoey Gopez of Island Logistics, Mr. Lucio Bandibas of WCTC and Mr. Ed Martinez of Print Zone.

Mr. Gopez is also planning to have a banner for this ongoing tournament.

Source: 

Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez

Tia Belau Newspaper

Pages 13 & 15

Volume 18

Issue 40

October 05-11, 2009

(243) MUSIC AND ME (July 19) Discovery of the hidden talents through Origin 8

ALL ENTRIES

Standing L-R Morris Apresto, Anne Francisco, Andrea Reyes, Ronel Gutierrez, Mylz Toboso, Pamela Albania, Tin Tin Agrimano, Marlon Sindico, May Anchoriz, Catherine Erni, Annette Niango, Jenny Salazar, Pamela Karen Abuton, Ellen, ?, Brad Hsu, Lorna Castaneto, Edgar Cayanan, Ella Asuncion, Erick Ventinilla, Shiryn Dy Bulaon and Dorothy Dator-Waller.

Kneeling L-R; Ramiro de Leon, Arnie Abad, Roberto Hernandez, Francis Diesta, Arnol Ingal, Dennis Lara and Ronald Cinco.

(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

DISCOVERY OF THE HIDDEN TALENTS THROUGH

ORIGIN 8

(Reported by Ma. Gracia B. Alenain --Royal Seasons Magazine (Spring 2009)

ERRATUM: Last week's issue was a repeat of Issue 46. The body of the story should be the following:

ON NOVEMBER 24, 2008, you can feel the new atmosphere at Palau Royal Resort, because that was the day of the presentations for the Origin 8 Theme Songwriting Contest.

This was launched as an Origin 8 3^rd Quarter Activity approved by the Executive Committee headed by our GM, Mr. Isao Takahashi.

We believe that the best and quickest way to fully understand the 8 principles is to put them into a song. This is an enjoyable activity for the staff and to create their own song. To convince the Top Management, we explain our objectives such as: To promote and increase employees’ awareness of Origin 8 specifics in detail. To understand it well and have good changes after the 8 principles were demonstrated.

This will enhance the creativity and talent of each individual through the use of this motivational tool. Provide the means to encourage future participation in local and company-wide activities; to have our own original and official PRR Origin 8 theme song; to share with other Origin 8 enthusiasts international and Origin 8 Secretariat JALHQ and to establish an atmosphere where employees feel free to contribute ideas.

We created the criteria with a total score of 100 in which all judges (Execom) given the following guidelines: Melody: 15, rhythm & melody that is easy to follow and memorize; Lyrics: 30, Origin 8 principles are identified: Greet with a smile; Enjoy yourself; Feel, Think, Act and Complete; Communication; Data Approach; Check & Act; Sanitation, Safety.

Originality: 35, each song should be an original composition. The message has good influence and encouragement, and illustrates the 8 principles. Arrangement: 10, smoothly arranged, bringing harmony and inspiration to listeners. Presentation: 10, song presentation that is appealing or catchy for the audiences and judges. We also created the mechanics on how they will be weigh and to be fair between composers and performers. The song presentation is from 3-5 minutes in the duration.

MR. ROBERTO HERNANDEZ WAS THE WINNER

To our pleasant surprise, we received 5 entries from different departments with one entry submitted prior to the deadline. This gave us the feeling of enthusiasm about the upcoming presentations and the results we want to achieve.

Entry from Rooms Division “Origin 8 Theme Song” was composed and performed by Mr. Arnie Abad, the Recreation Supervisor; Accounting/Finance “Origin 8 Song”composed by Ms. Lucille Partisala, Assistant Accounting Manager & performed by the entire Accounting Staff; Administration/HR “Origin 8 In Our Heart” by me, performed by 3 Administration and 2 Rooms Division Staff; F & B Department “Always On Our Mind” written by Mr. Edgar Cayanan, F & B Asst. Manager and presented by F & B Department.

Theme song winner is “That Is Origin 8” by Mr. Roberto Hernandez, song entry by Executive Office and Sales and Marketing Department.

The winner received Logo T-shirt, photo shoot, Posting of the Theme Song Winner, a Cash Award of $50.00, Waves Restaurant Dinner Buffet Certificate for 2 and the Certificate of Special Achievement.

We also recognized the non-winning entries with a certificate of appreciation and a company logo product. This is for their efforts in describing their Origin 8 experiences, arranging the melodies that Mr. Roberto Hernandez shared his music abilities with other department entries, and for the tireless rehearsal.

The winning group invited members of competing groups to join the celebration at a pizza house the following day. It’s really amazing that the spirit of camaraderie was genuine.

The day of presentation were applauded by the entire admiring staff that joined. We didn’t expect that they could perform live song and dance. All of us enjoyed the productions and appreciated the courage it took to stand in front of co-workers and the judges who are our bosses. (Mr. Isao Takahashi –GM, Mr. Jesse Tsai-DOB/Comptroller, Mr. Masahiro Fujita- Rooms Division Director, Mr. Yuji Beppu- Sales and Marketing Director, Ms. Michelle Liao- Administration Manager; Mr. A/C Jun Fulgencio- Chief Engineer and Chef Ai-Lin Liao- Pastry Chef).

Announcement of the winner is done immediately after the Trainers Guild and auditor tallied the scores. At this time we also awarded our 3^rd Quarterly Search for Mr./Ms. Perfect Smile to Mr. Young Sikyang, Bell Captain, presented by our GM and assisted by DOB.

Our General Manager commented that the activity was well organized, and discovering talented staff members who can sing and dance and it was enjoyable. Surprisingly, he personally took the CD of our presentation to the Origin 8 Secretariat JALHQ.

At our 2008 Staff Christmas Party, as suggested by Ms. Michelle Liao, the winning group performed live again for the introduction of our newly created Origin 8 Theme Song for everyone.

Sources: Royal Seasons Magazine

No. 9 2009 Spring

The Garden of Royal

Pages 44-45

Music and Me by Roberto Hernandez

Tia Belau Newspaper

Pages 8-9

Volume 21

Issue 48

July 19, 2012