(847) MUSIC AND ME (Nov. 13, 2014) Popular Even To Kids--Chinese Song "Yue Liang Dai Biao Wo De Xin"

MOTHER AND DAUGHTER CAN SING THIS POPULAR SONG
    Six years ago, I have proven that the Chinese/Taiwanese song "Yue Liang Dai Biao Wo De Xin" is the most popular among the less than 20 Chinese songs that I know. It was proven again when the mother sang it and the girl can follow the tune and the lyrics.                                                  (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)



           POPULAR EVEN TO KIDS --  
                   CHINESE SONG
       "Yue Liang Dai Biao Wo De Xin" 

Left to right (squatting) --Josephine Amutan, Cathy (Chinese waitress), Maricar Baules Genova
                  (standing, front row -- Roberto Hernandez, Delfin Mallare, Cathy Erni, Edgar Cayanan, Lisa, Ellen (Chinese waitress -birthday celebrant), Tin-Tin Agrimano, Ramiro de Leon and Allan Tuppil (F & B Manager of Palau Royal Resort)
Back row --Ernest Carlos, Karen Mar, May Anchoriz,  ......,   at Long Island Park during the celebration of Ellen's birthday (2008).


In 2008, Ellen (Chinese waitress) lend me a CD of Chinese songs. I study 4 songs there using my keyboard. 

The "Yue Liang Dai Biao Wo De Xin" is the 3rd one that I've learned.

When I'm playing those 4 songs at Waves Restaurant, I always look at the reaction of Chinese/Taiwanese guests.

No applause from guests to the 3 songs but when a 4-year-old Chinese boy sung with his older brother and sister to the tune of "Yue Liang Dai Biao Wo De Xin", I knew then that it's the most popular among the 4 songs.

Since then, I practiced hard to learn that song (from intro, to the ad lib and learning the right pronunciation of lyrics).

 The Chinese lady at right gave me $10.00 tip after playing for her all-Chinese songs while she is using internet.

I gave the girl in the middle my card and her mom, left, gave me $5.00. The girl's aunts also gave me $5.00 for playing mostly Taiwanese/Chinese songs. The guy in the middle also sung while I'm playing Chinese songs which he almost know all of them.

This was on November 22, 2014 when China has overtaken Taiwan as the no. 2 in the number of tourists that visited Palau for this year.

A few months earlier, China has disposed Korea at No. 3 while Japan is still the leading tourists in Palau in the last 15 years or more.


 Source: Chess and Music (Perfect Combination)
             The Beginning of Chess in Palau
             By Roberto Hernandez
            2008-2014
            To be published as a book in the future
 

(846) BENEFITS OF CHESS FOR YOUTH (Published onTBN-Feb. 02-09, 2009) TBN-Dec. 22, 2014

MEETING WITH TOP M.O.E. OFFICIALS

                  M.O.E Minister Silton Soalabai, middle standing, accommodated a meeting with Palau Chess Federation officers Eric Ksau Surangel Whipps, 2^nd from right, Tito Cabunagan, right, and Roberto Hernandez, 2^nd from left, with other top ranking officials of M. O. E. The first meeting of PCF and M.O.E officials was held in April this year.        (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)


    BENEFITS OF CHESS FOR YOUTH
                                     (Published at TBN Feb. 02-08, 2009)

Palau Chess Federation’s top 3 officers –President Eric Ksau Surangel Whipps, Vice President Tito Cabunagan and Secretary Roberto Hernandez, had a meeting with the top 5 officers of Palau Ministry of Education on Dec. 16, 2014 regarding the inclusion of chess as part of PE curriculum.

The short but very fruitful meeting might be the start of another breakthrough to make chess popular also in Palau like in the other 181-member countries of World Chess Federation (FIDE).

In this regard, Roberto is reprinting the February 02-08, 2009 issue of Tia Belau as follows:

               BENEFITS OF CHESS FOR YOUTH

JAMES Infiesto is a National Arbiter in the Philippines and one of the invited players in the 2nd Ambassador Marino Cup (Palau Invitational Chess Championship). He didn't make it but still continues his sharing of knowledge to Roberto Hernandez through emails.
THE FOLLOWING IS HIS INFORMATIVE EMAIL:
     National Chess Federation of the Philippines President Prospero 'Butch' Pichay, Jr. hailed the move of Education Secretary Jesli Lapus to finally integrate chess in the grade school and high school curriculum starting this coming school year.
     This will be a golden opportunity to develop new talents like 15-year-old prodigy Grandmaster Wesley So and catapult Philippines in world chess supremacy.
      Please see below facts helpful on why I kept on campaigning that chess is a learning tool for Science, Math, Arts and subjects that deal with logical reasoning.
     Facts:
     In a Texas study, regular (non-honors) elementary students who participated in a school chess club showed twice the improvement on non-chess players in Reading and Mathematics between 3rd and 5th grades on the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills. 
    A New Brunswick, Canada study, using 437 fifth graders split into 3 groups, experimenting with the addition of chess to the math curriculum, found increased gain in math problem-solving and comprehension proportionate to the amount of chess in the curriculum.
    The Venezuela "Learning To Think Project", which trained 100,000 teachers to teach thinking skills, and which involved a sample of 4,266 2nd grade students, reached a general conclusion that chess, methodically taught, is an incentive system sufficient to accelerate the increase IQ in elementary age children of both sexes at all socio-economic levels.
     Chess is found as required curricula in nearly 30 countries.
    The mathematics curriculum in New Brunswick, Canada is a text series called "Challenging Mathematics" which uses chess to teach logic from grades 2 to 7.
     Using this curriculum, the average problem-solving score of pupils in the province increased from 62% to 81%.
    The province of Quebec, where the program was first introduced, has the best math marks in Canada and Canada scores better than the USA on international mathematics exam.
     Former U. S. Secretary of Education Terrell Bell encourages knowledge of chess as a way to develop a preschooler's intellect and academic readiness.
     The state of New Jersey passed a bill legitimizing chess as a unit of instruction within the elementary school curriculum.
     A quote from the bill states "In countries where chess is offered widely in schools, students have exhibit excellence in the ability to recognize complex patterns and consequently excel in math and science..."
    I am happy that Chess has been finally recognized in the Philippines as a tool to equip the youth, making the right decisions in life by enhancing their logical thinking.
     This pave the way also for employment of chess players who can never let go of wood pushing because of the love of the sport. 
    At the end of the day, as parents, we ask ourselves what will be the benefits of the sport our children are into. 
     Career wise, chess is one of the basic foundations of my creative thinking in my magic presentations.
    Anticipate the reactions of your audience, just like playing chess, anticipate and analyze the moves of your opponent.
     Hope you can accommodate.           James

Mr. James Infiesto is now an International Arbiter and performed magic during the 2013 World Youth Chess Championship in Abu Dhabi, UAE. He met there the 2 reps of Palau --Eric and Ksau Anthony Whipps.
Solution to last week’s puzzle No. 3759: 1. Qxd7+!! Rxd7 2. Nc7+ Rxc7 3. Rd8 mate.
This week’s puzzle No. 3760: White to move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
             Tia Belau Newspaper
             Page 10
             Volume 23
             Issue 102
             December 22, 2014 

(845) THE ERMITA-MALATE OPEN CHESS TOURNAMENT IN PHILIPPINES (March 19-27, 1990)

TOP 8 UNRATED PLAYERS
   Anthony Pelayo captured the Top Unrated Player category in the Ermita-Malate Open Chess Tournament in the Philippines held from March 19-27,1990. It's the handwritten report of Chief Arbiter Henry Sky.


    THE ERMITA-MALATE OPEN CHESS
       TOURNAMENT IN PHILIPPINES
             (March 19-27, 1990)

Participated in by Philippines top players (except GM Eugene Torre), it's nice to take a look at the participants:

1. Rodriguez, Ruben 2. Antonio, Jr., Rogelio 3. De Guzman, Ricky 4. Roca, Petronio 5. Chiong IV, Luis 6. Maga, Mirebeau 7. Garma, Chito 8. Alaan, Vince 9. Donguines, Fernie 10. Young, Angelo 11. Lao, Elias 12. Aguilar, Susano 13. Cain, Celestino 14. Villamayor, Buenaventura 15. Cabrido, Victor 16. Libre, Virgilio 17. Milagrosa, Alex 18. Badilles, Ponciano 19. Garma, Edgardo 20. Neri, Walter 21. Ortiz, Eduardo 22. Urbi, Emil 23. Sasot, Allan 24. Cabellon, Gerry 25. Bagamasbad, Efren 26. Gonzales, Jayson 27. Lorena, Carlo 28. Mariano, II, Nelson 29. Sanchez, Jess 30. Abriam, Luis 31. Soria, Rene 32. Martin, Ricardo 33. Gutierrez, Dennis 34. Salazar, Nelson 35. Ulanday, Jude 36. Arguelles, Efren 37. Gatus, Edmundo 38. Agagon, Eduardo 39. Lagua, Joseph Bende 40. Miguel, Reynaldo 41. Gomez, Danilo 42. Carag, Erwin 43. Duhaylunsod, Herminigildo 44. Dalura, Rodolfo 45. Esmane, Rogelio 46. Zapanta, Jr., Ernesto 47. Camposano Agripino 48. Nolte, Rolando 49. Legaspi, Joselito 50. Mayo, Charlie 51. Ranola, Yves 52. Reyes, Expedito 53. Vinas, Alexander 54. Estrella, Edgardo 55. Poliarco, Gene 56. Ibanez, Rudy 57. Parceco, Errol 58. Fineza, Jun 59. Garcia, Noel 60. Panelo, Rudy 61. Bautista, Roberto 62. Caunte, Juancho 63. Lorenzo, Edwin 64. Panopio, Rodolfo 65. Fontanilla, Raul 66. Cunanan, Homer 67. Barrios, Benjamin 68. Rabe, Jose 69. Chua, Cesar 70. Rabago, Celso 71. Cunanan, Crispin 72. Yu, Manuel 73. Pamatpat, Stephen 74. Abalos, Wilfredo 75. Castro, Orden 76. Chay, Alfredo 77. Palma, Michael 78. Munoz, Rommel 79. Fontanilla, Edgar 80. Manabilang, Jose 81. Acuran, Rafael 82. De Villa, Melchor 83. Edrada, Alex 84. Verdon, Norman 85. Clavo, Jess 86. Garcia, Juancho 87. Bolico, Joshwe 88. Penaredondo, Leo 89. Manongas, Jessie 90. Pena, Robert 91. Sopungco, Alvin 92. Bolico, Exfelicos 93. Pabuaya, Roger 94. Loyaga, Victor 95. Gopilan, Antonio 96. Catalan, Edwin 97. Liquicia, Art 98. Mariano, Christine Rose 99. Marcial, Johnny 100. Cruz, Renato 101. Del Agua, Armelito 102. Baltazar Jr., Ernesto 103. Ibra, Jamael 104. Gutierrez, Alfonso 105. De Leon, Carlos 106. Castro, Ronald 107. Yap, Danilo 108. Roldan, Ric 109. Roldan, Sheridan 110. Dawa, Alvin 111. Manlunas, Jay 112. Santos, Ed 113. Pagulong, Ronald 114. Castro, Ronald 115. Naling, Archie 116. Yulo, Gerry 117. Mariano, Robert Gene 118. Opano, Virgilio 119. Jose, Reginaldo 120. Almazan, Romeo 121. Aspril, Emil 122. Abakan, Jhonson 123. Mariano, Helen Grace 124. Mariano, Carmina Joy 125. Archimedes, Rafols 126. Baccay, Lester 127. Bocallos, Jose 128. Capiral, Rowel 129. Cayetano, Federico 130. Corpuz, Balden 131. Dawa, Avemelech 132. Fontanilla, Ed 133. Gandarosa, Ali 134. Gonzales, Jesus 135. Hernandez, Roberto 136. Jossi, Daniel 137. Lafuerza, Sebastian 138. Laurel, Rocky 139. Legarda, Joselito 140. Madia, Manuel 141. Malenas, Herman 142. Nasser, Sharif 143. Pelayo, Anthony 144. Reyes, Al 145. Reyes, Noel 146. Reyes, Norberto 147. Tilles, Bernardo 148. Salando, Gerardo 149. Tan, Montreo  


2nd seed Rogelio 'Joey' Antonio, Jr. became a Grandmaster 3 years after this event, which he won (1993) after a drought of 17 years since GM Rosendo Balinas became the 2nd GM of Philippines in 1976. Asia's first GM Eugene Torre got his GM title in 1974 at Nice, France World Chess Olympiad. 

14th seed Buenaventura 'Bong' Villamayor became the 4th GM of Philippines in 2000 followed by 28th seed Nelson Mariano II 4 years later (2004).

26th seed Jayson Gonzales became the 9th GM of the Philippines in 2008, the same year when child prodigy Wesley So became the youngest GM of the Philippines at the age of 13.

GM Gonzales was the team captain of Team Philippines in the 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey where they finished 4th in the Open Division (if the tiebreak system that was used is the same as the previous one prior to 2008 Dresden, Germany Olympiad). Roberto Hernandez met him there. Eventually, Philippines finished 21st using the new tiebreak system where the matches won prevails over the other tiebreaks.

GM Gonzales and Hernandez met again while getting their Schengen visa in Manila. GM Gonzales is also the playing Team Captain of the Philippines in 2014 World Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway. GM Wesley So became the Team Captain of USA Team as he is transferring federation. In his absence, GM Julio Catalino Sadorra is Board 1, GM John Paul Gomez at Board 2, GM Torre at 3, FM Paulo Bersamina at Board 4 and GM Gonzales as reserve. 

23rd seed NM Allan Sasot was the mentor of Palau blitz chess specialist Tony Villa, who became the 4th Palau National Master for winning the 2007 Palau National Chess Championship, tied with Hernandez and Manuel Nedic. 

42nd seed Erwin Carag was one of the invited players of both 2007 and 2011 Palau Invitational Chess Championship but didn't make it due to expensive airfare in going to Palau.  

48th seed Rolando Nolte is now an International Master (IM) with current rating of 2395 (Dec. 2014). Hernandez lost to him in a 1991 tournament in Quezon City, being held at the same building where billiards are also played.

56th seed Rudy Ibanez showed interest to participate in the 2013 Micronesian Cup/Palau Invitational Chess Championship in November. The event was postponed to Feb. 2014 because of Typhoon Haiyan and Ibanez was not interested anymore.

74th seed Wilfredo Abalos met Roberto Hernandez in the Asian Continental Meeting being held during the 2010 World Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia. Roberto regrets not having a photo taken with him at that time. Mr. Abalos passed away a few years later.

98th seed Christine Rose Mariano was offered to be the Team Captain of Palau Chess Team to 2010 Olympiad in Russia. The other choice is Jamie Kenmure of Australia and Palau Rating Officer. They have to buy their own airfare.
Eventually, the slot was given to Mr. Kenmure and he became Palau Team Captain for 3 consecutive World Chess Olympiads (2010 Russia, 2012 Istanbul, Turkey and 2014 Tromso, Norway Olympiads). 

Since Congressman Prospero 'Butch' Pichay took over as President of National Chess Federation of the Philippines in 2008, he produced 9 GMs. Philippines have only 7 GMs in the previous 40 years or more.

Those 9 GMs are Wesley So and Jayson Gonzales (2008); John Paul Gomez and Joseph Sanchez (2009); Rogelio Barcenilla and Roland Salvador (2010); Julio Catalino Sadorra, Oliver Barbosa and Richard Bitoon (2011).

To complete the list, Mark Paragua got his GM title in 2005 while Darwin Laylo earned it in 2007. 

At 74 years old, IM Renato Naranja is still listed at the Top 100 chess players of the Philippines at no. 63 with a rating of 2187. Another proven fact that in chess -- AGE DOESN'T MATTER AS LONG AS THE MATTER DOESN'T AGE!

   
 
   

  

 

(844) MUSIC AND ME (Nov. 06, 2014) JAPANESE WORDS "KAKKOI" AND "UNOBORE OTTOKO"

4 BUSINESS CARDS FOR 2 JAPANESE COUPLES
     They requested "Futari De Osakeo" and "Nada Sou Sou" and gave me $10.00 tip. Before going to Breeze Bar for another 2 hours of keyboard music, I talk with them for a few quality minutes. They enjoyed my mention of Japanese words "kakkoi", which means "handsome" and "unobore ottoko" which means --"handsome in the outside look but not inside" or "a man praising himself as handsome".
                                       (Photo by Roberto Hernandez) 



      JAPANESE WORDS "KAKKOI" and
                "UNOBORE OTTOKO"

IN November 13, 2014, new waitress Pamela, ask for Japanese songbook which she will show to the 4 Japanese guests sitting near the window.

They chose only one song "Futari De Osakeo", which I can play with emphasis and a little upbeat.

Pamela brings the songbook again to them and they request another one --"Nada Sou Sou".

They are busy talking and I played alternately Taiwanese, Japanese and American songs.

Later, a lady from the group gave me $10.00 tip. I stopped playing at exactly 9pm and before going to Breeze Bar for 9-11pm performance on a keyboard, I dropped by to them and thank them for the tip and applaud.

I told them that I have to play for another 2 hours at Breeze Bar and my performance at Waves Restaurant is 7-9pm. I gave all 4 of them my card.

I mentioned to them that I've been to Japan for 6 months in Feb. - September 1982. And that every time that we had picture taking, I always said to my new Japanese friends the word "kakkoi, ne?" (which means "I'm handsome, isn't it?) while pointing at my photo.

My best friend in Kagoshima City, Masato Iwagawa, always contradict it when I mentioned "kakkoi" and he will add the word "unobore ottoko". Almost all of the Japanese guests will laugh when I said the word "unobore ottoko" after saying I'm "kakkoi". Masato's wife, Kimiko, will agree with her husband about kakkoi and unobore ottoko.

The lady, 2nd from right, in the photo, mentioned that I really know the Japanese word that will make Japanese laugh when I mention it.

Those words (kakkoi, unobore ottoko, baka, sukebe) are just a few 'catchy and funny' words that will lighten up an informal conversation, whether in English or mix of Japanese and English.

Former Palau President for 4 years (2008-2012) Johnson Toribiong taught me one Palau word and it's applicable when I operate the karaoke and there are few guests left... I will say to them the word that President Toribiong taught me..."Algaron dikid" which means "Thank God, it's only us now." There's even a Palau song which mention those words a lot of times.

I've known Mr. Toribiong since 1993. There's one night at Image Restaurant that I'm playing piano and he requested "I Can't Stop Loving You". I play it and sung with it sometimes especially in the chorus part.

He then gave me $10.00 tip and put it in a big glass for tip. Later, I've got another $10.00 tip from another guest. 

Then comes an old Japanese guy who requested "Kawa No Nagareno Yo Ni". He's got $2.00 in his hand as tip but when he saw that the tips at the tip glass are all $10.00 bills, he put another $10.00 instead of $2.00!

Thirty eight years ago, while I was working at The Plaza Restaurant in Makati, Philippines, I used the rest room where the attendant there have their tip tray, perfume, soap and tissue ready for tourists (mostly Japanese) who will used the rest room.

While I was combing my hair, there comes a lone Japanese guest. I pretend that I'm using the soap and the perfume when he is about to do the same.

I get from my wallet a 20-peso bill and put it at the tip tray so that it will act like a bait. The Japanese guy also get the same bill. He's got lower (10, and 5 pesos) bills but he wants to give the same as I gave.

That amount is more than half of a whole day earnings at that time (1976). I'm making 37.00 pesos/day as pianist at The Plaza Restaurant (Branding Iron Steak House) playing a Yamaha Baby Grand Piano 2 hours at lunch time and 3 hours at dinner time in 1980.

I've waited outside the rest room and when the Japanese guest left, I immediately went back to the rest room and said to the attendants, "I will take back my 20 pesos, ha?"
The 'bait' works!



Source: Chess and Music (Perfect Combination)
            The Beginning of Chess in Palau
            By Roberto Hernandez
            1976-2014
            To be published as a book in the future
   

      

         

(843) GAMES OF THE 2014 PNCC (Part 1) TBN-Dec. 15, 2014)

KEVIN HUANG – NEWEST PCF MEMBER

                     An accountant at P.I.T.I., Kevin Huang, practices with Manuel ‘Jun’ Mahor, Jr. on Nov. 30, 2014 at Bethlehem Park during the 3^rd round of 2014 PNCC. He will join the next tournament in 2015.

                                                        (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

         GAMES OF 2014 PNCC

                    (Part 1)

THE first 2 games of 2014 Palau National Chess Championship were published earlier. Here are the other games –Top 10, Open, Women and Junior:

White: Roberto Hernandez (1815)    Black: Menandro Manuel (1852)    Round 3      Nov. 16, 2014

     1. f4 e6 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Bc5 4. e3 0-0 5. d4 Bb6 6. Bd3 Nc6 7.a3 a6 8. 0-0 d6 9. Ne2 Qe7 10.c3 e5 11.fxe5 dxe5 12.dxe5 Nxe5 13. Nxe5 Qxe5 14. Nd4 Ng4 15. Nf3 Nxe3 16. Bxe3 Qxe3+ 17. Kh1 Bg4 18. Qc2 g6 19. Rae1 Qh6 20. Bc4 Be3 21. Qe4 Bf4 22. Nh4 g5 23.g3 Bh3 24.gxf4 Qxh4 25. Rg1 g4 26. Qf5 Rad8 27. Bf1 Bxf1 28. Rxg4+ Qxg4 29. Qxg4+ Kh8 30. Rxf1 Rd2 31. Rg1      1-0

White: Angelica Parrado (1615)        Black: Jade Mariur               Round 1              Nov. 16, 2014

     1. e4 e6 2.d3 b5 3. Be3 Ba6 4. Nf3 h6 5. Be2 Nf6 6. 0-0 Be7 7.e5 Nh5 8. Nc3 0-0 9. Qd2 c5 10.a3 Nc6 11.d4 cxd4 12.Nxd4 g6 13. Bxh6 Re8 14.Nxc6 dxc6 15.Qc3 Rc8 16. Bxh5 gxh5 17.Qg3+ Kh8 18. Qg7#   1-0

White: Destiny Sisior (1497)             Black: Kayah Iblai Whipps (1089)      Round 1     Nov. 16, 2014

     1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. Nc3 Nb4 5.a3 Bd4 6.axb4 Nf6 7. 0-0 0-0 8.d3 Nd5 9.exd5 c6 10. Bg5 cxd5 11. Bxd8 Rxd8 12. Bxd5 b6 13. Nb5 a6 14. Nbxd4 exd4 15. Nxd4 Kf8 16. Qh5 a5 17. Qxf7#     1-0

White: Marcial Santander               Black: Leif Toribiong                Round 1            Nov. 16, 2014

     1. e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Ne4 5. Bd3 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bd7 7. Nf3 Bc6 8. 0-0 Be7 9. Qe2 f6 10. Bf4 Nd7 11.c4 Bb4 12. Nh4 fxe5 13. Qh5+ g6 14. Nxg6 Qf6 15. Nxh8+ Kd8 16. Bg5 Qxg5 17. Qxg5+ Be7 18. Nf7+ Ke8 19. Qg8+ Nf8 20. Nxe5 Bd7 21. Nf7 c6 22. Bxh7 dxc4 23. Bg6 Bd6 24. Nxd6+ Ke7 25. Nxb7 Re8 26. Qf7#      1-0

White: Baby Edna Mission (1536)  Black: Joy Flores Whipps (1296)       Round 1         Nov. 16, 2014

     1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 c6 3.d4 d5 4.dxe5 f6 5. Nc3 Nd7 6.exd5 Nxe5 7. Nxe5 fxe5 8. Bc4 Bc5 9. Qe2 Nf6 10. Qxe5+ Kf7 11. Bg5 Re8 12.d6+ Kg6 13. Bd3+ Kf7 14. Bc4+ Kf8 15. Bd6 Bxd6 16. 0-0-0 Be3+ 17. fxe3 Qb6 18. Rhf1 Kg8 19. Bxf6 Bd5 20. Qg3 Rxe3 21. Qxg7#       1-0

White: Angelil Sisior (1423)        Black: Cyrelle Ann Montel (1390)       Round 1           Nov. 16, 2014

     1. e4 c6 2. Bc4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Bb3 Bb4 5.c3 Bc5 6. 0-0 Nf6 7.d4 Bd6 8.e5 Be7 9.exf6 Bxf6 10. Nbd2 0-0 11. Bc2 h6 12. Nb3 Nd7 13. Qd3 g6 14. Bxh6 Bg7 15. Bxg7 Re8 16. Ne5 Nxe5 17. Bxe5 b5 18.g3 Ba6 19.h4 Qb6 20.a3 b4 21.c4 dxc4 22. Qe4 cxb3 23. Bb1 Bb5 24. Re1 f5 25. Qf4 Rad8 26. Qh6 Rd7 27. Bd6 Rxd6 28.g4 fxg4 29.h5 Red8 30.hxg6 Rxd4 31. Qh7+ Kf8 32. Qf7#     1-0

White: Cris Ulap (1353)              Black: Arnold Undecimo (1274)         Round 1              Nov. 16, 2014

     1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3.d3 Nc6 4. Nf3 Bd6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 g5 7. Bg3 Ne7 8. 0-0 c6 9.d4 Nxe4 10. Nxe5 Bxe5 11.dxe5 Nxg3 12.fxg3 d5 13. Nc3 dxc4 14. Qxd8 Kxd8 15. Rad1+ Ke8 16. Ne4 Kf8 17. Rd8+ Kg7 18. Rd6 Nf5 19. Nf6 Nxd6 20.exd6 Rd8 21. Rd1 Kxf6 22.h4 Ke6 23. Kf2 Rxd6 24. Re1+ Kf6 25. Kf3 g4+ 26. Kf4 Rd4+ 27. Ke3 c5 28.c3 Rd6 29. Kf4 Bd7 30. Re5 Re8 31. Rxc5 Re2 32. Rxc4 Rde6 33. Rc5 Rf2+ 34. Kxg4 Re5#    0-1

 

Solution to last week’s puzzle No. 3758: 1. Ng4+! Rxg4 2. Rf5+!! Kxf5 3. Rd5 mate

This week’s puzzle No. 3759: White to move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez

             Tia Belau Newspaper

             Page 10

             Volume 23

             Issue 100

             December 15, 2014 

  

(842) MUSIC AND ME (Oct. 30, 2014) Best Place To Jog - Long Island Park (Palau) Meet Colleague Kostang Remeliik, Co-Employess

KOSTANG REMELIIK -- A COLLEAGUE SINCE 1993
     I met Kostang Remeliik in 1993 at Image Restaurant. I've learned from him the lyrics and tune of Hawaiian song "Honolulu City Lights." He learned from me the running chords of Besame Mucho -- Em----Am---G#dim-Am-B7-Em---.       (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)




           BEST PLACE TO JOG ---
     LONG ISLAND PARK (PALAU)
  Meet Colleague Kostang Remeliik,
           Co-Employees at PRR

I jog every Wednesday morning at 6:30 am here at Long Island Park after the morning devotion at Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ (4th Watch) Palau Locale.
                                                     (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)                          

                                                         (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

I usually walk briskly first and run for a few meters and walk again. When I met a colleague Kostang Remeliik one Wednesday morning, he said he is now singing at Elilai Restaurant. In this photo, Elilai is located at the top of the hill. In 2012, the Sales and Executive Office Departments held their Christmas Party in January 2012 there where I met Chris Johnson, a chef there, and became my keyboard student for a few months.
                         
                           

A selfie with Kostang Remeliik at Long Island Park. Kostang is still holding the business card of Roberto.
Kostang is singing at Palau Pacific Resort on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. At Elilai Restaurant, he sings on Tuesday, Sat. and Sunday.                 (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

                                                     (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)


Some regular joggers/walkers at Long Island Park are senior Palau ladies and men. Palau Senator Philip Reklai advised me not to do push ups and jogging. Just walk briskly where your hands are swinging. He said it's good exercise for a man of my age.
           

                                 (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)


While jogging/walking, I look also around and sometimes find a school of rabbit fish, blue and green parrot fish, skip jack, small fishes of different colors/striped, needle fish, some grouper. You feel really at fish with nature and sea.

                                   (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

There is a court for beach volleyball or badminton. Felix Oling, new employee of Palau Royal Resort, and Lee Lozano, played badminton there even without a net.

 I used to walk/jog half naked under the early sun because I'm not exposed to the sun most of the time.

 I do the 30 push ups using the concrete green bench.

 On December 03, 2014, at 4:50am, while I'm on my way for Morning Devotion at Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ (4th Watch), I saw big smoke. There's a fire going on. I'm not sure of the place. It looks like the house of Dr. Victor Yano, where I used to teach piano to his daughter Jasmine in that house in 2007-2009. 

After I came back from Australia to represent Palau in the 2009 Oceania Zonal Chess Championship, Jasmine's interest in piano diminished and haven't teach her regularly since then.

When I started to jog/walk, the fire is still not contained. I took this photo when it's already bright.

                                           (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)


AS REPORTED BY JOSE RODRIGUEZ SENASE
           Island Times
           Volume 10
           No. 10
           December 05, 2014 
  
             FIRE HITS M-DOCK
          DUMPSITE/LANDFILL  

     A fire of still unknown cause swept through the National Dumpsite/Landfill at M-Dock on Wednesday, December 03, 2014.
    
     According to Bureau of Public Safety (BPS) Director Ismael Aguon, the fire started around 1:00am on Wednesday, December 3, 2014.

     He said the Fire Department was able to put the fire under control after a few hours.

     The BPS head said that unexpectedly the fire started raging again around 7:00 am, prompting a massive response from the Fire Department. The fire was raging hot with smoke visible several kilometers away.

     Smoldering tires could be seen littered around the dumpsite as firemen hosed the area with water. The stench of burning tires could also be smelled from afar.

     The fire apparently started among the thousands of used tires in the area. Aguon said the cause of the fire is still being investigated.

     A man working at the dumpsite said that they were surprised of the occurence as Palau experienced heavy rains for the several days.

     Around 4:00pm on Wednesday, the fire was on its death throes with small, scattered fires seen in the area.

     The American Civic Action Team (CAT) also assisted in controlling the fire by bringing in a water trailer.

     The dumpsite/landfill at M-Dock is Palau's largest waste disposal facility. It has been in operation for more than 50 years and is located in an area of shallow reef and mangrove wetland and in close proximity to residential areas and tourism facilities. It covers an area of about 6 hectares.

     Previously, the M-Dock was operated as an open dumpsite, which polluted the surrounding marine environment as a result of leachate run-off. With support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), under the Project for Promotion of Regional Initiative Solid Waste Management, in 2006-2007 the M-Dock was rehabilitated into a semi-aerobic "Fukuoka -style" landfill.

However, the landfill reached its full capacity in 2012, and as a temporary measure, until a new landfill is established, the Solid Waste Management Office of the Bureau of Public Works (SWMBPW) has constructed a new dike to expand the existing capacity of the landfill. While after more than 8 years, a site for the new landfill has been identified on Babeldaob, the new sanitary landfill facility will need to be developed prior to closure of M-Dock.

     There have been proposals in the past to close the M-Dock dumpsite/landfill and replace it with another landfill located in Babeldaob.

     A Task Force created by President Remengesau in 2013 to study the matter came up with its findings early this year. The Task Force recommended for a survey of M-Dock landfill.

     The landfill at M-Dock has already reached capacity and is threatening to overflow. It is feared that the problem will lead to irreparable damage to the environment.

     The survey is to look into the available holding capacity of M-Dock at present time and the rate of waste coming to the landfill at a given time.

     The Task Force believes that with these date, the useful life of M-Dock can be estimated. The estimate is reportedly necessary as it dictates the amount of time left to plan, develop and open a new landfill.   

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