(303) MUSIC AND ME (Sept. 27) My Music Experience w/ Former President Tommy Remengesau

AIRA JANE TORRES - MY BEST GIRL STUDENT
At her young age, she can play "Fallin'" by Teri de Sario, "Love is All That Matters" by Eric Carmen, "Open Arms" by Journey, Lambada, Careless Whisper, "Because" by Dave Clark 5 and more than 30 more difficult songs that even an adult can't play or sing. Among her counterpart, Christian 'Shinji' Otsuka is my best boy student.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)





MY MUSIC EXPERIENCE WITH FORMER
PRESIDENT TOMMY REMENGESAU

On February 10, 2009, former President and now Senator Tommy Remengesau, Jr., were at Breeze Bar with 3 Palauan guys and a Japanese family of 3, who left earlier.

I played mostly Palauan songs. They are applauding to my music. At 11:00 pm, I announced last song. While I’m securing my keyboard and cords, Tommy called me. He gave me $5.00 tip and we talked for a while about my 17 years working in Palau and only 4 times that I have taken a vacation. We talked also about my daughter’s (Karen) graduation in March 08, 2009 as nurse. His son, Isechal, was a classmate of Karen, who graduated at Mindzenty High School on May 28, 2004.

On June 16, 2008, there is a function of Palau Noni Juice at Waves Restaurant. President Tommy Remengesau was the guest speaker and the party had its own entertainment.

At 9:30, I’m waiting for customers at Breeze Bar. Then, Tommy came by himself still in a light blue suit. He asked me what happened to the proposed recording of my Palauan instrumental songs with Senator Alfonso Diaz. I explained to him that Senator Diaz offered me $500.00 in 2005 to record about 10 Palauan instrumental songs by me in his recording studio using my own keyboard.

Dr. Victor Yano suggested that I should use a grand piano (the one at Airai View Hotel) to make a more classical sound. Senator Diaz said he will talk to Senator Mlib Tmetuchl, a close friend of his, about using that piano. But 3 years have gone by and it didn’t materialize.

While the president is having a drink, the First Lady Debbie and her mother came. I played mostly Palauan songs and they applauded after every song I played. Later, Leilani Reklai joined them.

At 10:45, I called Assistant F & B Manager Edgar Cayanan about stopping live music at exactly 11:00 pm even though the First Couple are enjoying my music. Edgar said, “To be safe and not to disturb sleeping guests, just announce last 3 songs.”

The president agreed to my announcement of last 3 songs. I saw him called his bodyguard to get something and when he comes back, he wrote something on a check book. He called me later and while giving me the check, he said, “This is from all of us.”

I said thank you to them and I asked Leilani, “Did you win the Melekeok governorship?” She said she’s crossing her fingers because the counting is still going on and it’s a very close race. The president said, “She won already. That’s why we’re here celebrating.”

When I go to Dormitory 1 at 11:15, I saw the couple Jiji and Arnie Abad there and that’s the time that I look at the check amount – it’s $20.00. When I cash it the next day, Jiji and Arnie were at the Bank of Hawaii also.

During my 11-month work as keyboard player at Rose Garden Resort (July 15, 2005- June 23, 2006), President Remengesau gave me tip of $10.00 twice and the last one there was $5.00 on March 16, 2006, the day that he signed the transfer law bill allowing workers to transfer to another company if (1.) The company closed down, (2.) The employer died and 3. The employer goes to jail.

On November 02, 2000, two days before the Palaupresidential election, Vice President then Tommy Remengesau and his running mate Senator Allan Seid are having a political party at Image Restaurant where I’ve worked as musician/disc jockey for 13 years. When Senator Seid is about to have a speech, I stopped playing piano and Tommy approached me and said,“Robert, I know that you cannot vote. But maybe you can tell your Palauan friends to vote for me.” And he gave me $20.00.

When I operate the karaoke at Image Restaurant after playing piano, I always remember the favorite songs of our regular customers. When Tommy sings karaoke, he doesn’t have to tell me what to sing. I know all his favorite karaoke songs like “Imagine” by John Lennon, “She Believes In Me” by Kenny Rogers, Hawaiian songs “Baby Blue” and “Don’t Say Goodbye”, “How Can I Tell Her” by Lobo and even “Let Me Be There” by Olivia Newton-John.

In 2010 while I’m on my way up to Caroline’s Resort to teach keyboard/guitar to Liam and Gayle Bornovski, I saw Tommy jogging way up to Caroline’s Resort. I stopped for a while and we talk about teaching one of his kid piano.

It’s just another casual conversation and it didn’t materialize yet. I’m still hoping that it will happen and then I’ll have the rare experience of teaching family members of 2 Palau Presidents (incumbent or former).

Source: Music and Me by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Pages 8-9
Volume 21
Issue 68
September 27, 2012