Palau Chessmate: (223) MARCOS & HERNANDEZ FAMILY AFTER 3RD PIICC

THE SAME WATCH AND MOBILE PHONE
Jamie Kirstie Marcos, left, the last born daughter of Joselito Marcos, 2nd from left, and Roberto Hernandez, 2nd from right, have the same watch (from 2010 World Chess Olympiad in Russia) and mobile phone (Nokia C2). Interestingly, Joselito gave his wife Margarita, middle, a watch from 2002 Bled, Slovenia World Chess Olympiad and its battery is still working after almost 10 years! Roberto's wife Flor, joined them in golf and archery lessons by Amante Caballero. (Photo by Amante Caballero)

MARCOS AND HERNANDEZ FAMILY
AFTER 3RD PIICC

AFTER a very busy final round of 2011 Palau Invitational International Chess Championship held at Palau Royal Resort Conference Room on Dec. 19, it’s time to unwind for Marcos family (Joselito, Margarita and daughter Jamie) at Waves Restaurant using the gift certificates that Menandro Manuel, Cyril Montel, Jr. and Roberto Hernandez have donated to the family.

Hernandez joined them till 12:00 midnight at dropped them at King’s Apartment after staying for one night at PRR. A trip to Palau Aquarium was sent on Dec. 20 at 10 am. Have an exploration of PICRC by picture taking and buying souvenir items.

At 4:30, Roberto, Lito, Margarita and Jamie went at Papago International Resort for golf and archery lessons from Amante Caballero, who’s been to Palau for 19 years and haven’t had a vacation yet. He is an excellent golf instructor. Jamie can swing like a professional golfer. She’s got good potential. Even in archery, she’s very good. She’s been school champion in the Philippines. The Taiwanese guests are clapping when she’s hitting the targets. Not bulls eye but hitting the target consistently. Her last 9 shots, 6 of those hit the round target.

In going to Rock Islands on Dec. 21, a lot of inconveniences happened especially with the renting of boat. First, Roberto’s contact for $300.00 boat ride was cancelled. He was able to get one at the same price from Mrs. Grace Smau but Adele Anzawa and Lito were able to get one at the same price. So Roberto cancelled his.

The next problem is the permit which cancels the day’s trip. The trip was rescheduled for tomorrow with the boat of Philip Reklai to be used. The Marcos and Hernandez family proceed to Palau Pacific Resort for some sightseeing inside. Bernard Garcia assisted them at orchid’s farm and lagoon.

Instead of swimming at Rock Island, they planned to swim at Airai View Hotel’s Water Paradise. They need to pay $12.00 for 4 persons. They have lunch there with Roberto, his wife Flor, Lito, Margarita and Jamie. The planned swimming didn’t happen also and they just refunded the $12.00 and used it instead at Papago for golf and archery lessons from Amante.

More than 2 hours of golf, archery and socializing made their day even without the Rock Islands trip. They proceed at Palau Curtains and General Merchandise to buy some more souvenir items.

Roberto called Philip Reklai to confirm the Rock Islands trip tomorrow.

On Dec. 22, the Rock Islands trip happened after paying $25.00 each of the Marcos family members. Roberto didn’t pay because he’s not a tourist. Philip Reklai provided us with cooler with ice, snorkel sets, life jackets and a Palauan tour guide, Manase, who sings Palauan songs with Roberto while on their trip to the historical sites of Rock Islands.

When they snorkeled at the first stop, Roberto said to Manase, “It looks like you’re in a different planet because of the beauty of Palau’s underwater sites”.

At the giant clams’ site, they are the only tourists there. After a few minutes, dozens of Taiwanese guests have crowded the place. It looks like there is a competition!

They also passed the island where the “Survivor Palau” has been filmed but because it’s crowded, they didn’t stay there and proceed to another island with lots of tourists. Have lunch there and snorkeled the place and saw thousands of fish (mackerel or sma in Palauan).

The last spot that they snorkeled is the shipwreck area where a World War II Japanese sunken ship is located. It’s very dark at first and scary especially the silence and the water had been colder.

As Roberto mentioned to Lito, “A trip to Palau without Rock Islands trip in incomplete.” But Lito added, “It would have been really complete if we can go to the Capitol.”

It became a reality after Dennis Gonzales and his wife Merlyn invited the Marcos family for lunch at their staff house. After lunch, Roberto drove Dennis’ car to the Capitol with Marcos family, Merlyn and her daughter. It’s about 30-minute drive and they have enjoyed the beauty of the Palau Capitol that looks like a smaller version of the White House in Washington. They took a lot of photos in there.

Before going back to town, they dropped by at nearby Korean cemetery overlooking the Capitol and took more pictures. Lito’s dream is now complete.

Roberto and Rey Alenain, his roommate at Palau Royal Resort, dropped the Marcos family at Palau International Airport at 6:30 pm, 3 hours after their trip to the Capitol.

Menandro Manuel is also having a vacation in Philippines at that time. In saying goodbye to Marcos family, Roberto’s last words to Joselito are “See you again in Istanbul.”

Roberto and Joselito met in 2009 in Australia and became very close friends. They renewed their friendship in 2010 World Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia. They became more intimate friends when he came to Palau with his family. His unselfish and all-out support for Palau’s chess development is immeasurable.

IF PALAU CHESS TEAM TO ISTANBUL OLYMPIAD FINISHED BETTER THAT ITS SEEDING, IT’S ALL BECAUSE OF JOSELITO MARCOS, THE IDOL OF MANY MEMBERS OF PALAU CHESS FEDERATION!

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Pages 13 & 15
Volume 21
Issue 43
July 02, 2012