(789) MUSIC AND ME (June 12, 2014) OUTSTANDING OFW IN PALAU (Part 3)

FIRST OUTSTANDING OFW CERTIFICATE FOR FLOR
     Roberto Hernandez, right, receiving the Outstanding OFW certificate of his wife --Ma. Florida Hernandez because she doesn't like to climb up the stage. It's her first award for being in Palau for 19 years. Roberto is 22 years in Palau and got his certificate almost an hour in between.
                         (Photo by Roberto Hernandez --Taken by Patrick)

 

This time, Tito Cabunagan is at left, Aga David, the energetic and newly elected The Community in Palau President, at middle, and Roberto Hernandez receiving his 3rd certificate.

(Photo by Roberto Hernandez  -- Taken by Patrick)

OUTSTANDING OFW IN PALAU

(Part 3)

On the 111th Independence Day Celebration of the Philippines in Palau, Roberto Hernandez received a certificate, medal and acknowledgement in the field of music together with other deserving Outstanding Overseas Filipino Workers.

A week later, he flew to Australia to represent Palau in the 2009 Oceania Zonal Chess Championship with the Ambassador Ramoncito Marino giving Roberto some recommendations to get some discounts at Philippine Airines which proved to be useless as Oceania Zone President Gary Bekker bought Hernandez' tickets (Manila-Sydney) more cheaper than what PAL is giving.

Two days before the closing of Philippine Embassy in Palau in July 31, 2012, more certificates for Outstanding Overseas Filipino Workers were given. Amante Caballero was one of the chosen one for being in Palau for 19 years and not having a single vacation during that period.

The sad part is that Amante didn't get his monthly pension (SSS) because he didn't reach the age of 60 while still working in Palau to be eligible for pension. But he did get a lump sum.

The 116th Philippine Independence Gala Dinner was held held at Palasia Hotel with Roberto playing old and traditional Filipino songs during the dinner of selected guests including Eric Ksau Surangel Whipps, the Honorary Consul of the Philippines and newly elected President of Palau Chess Federation.

Certificates were given to those who has been to Palau for at least 20 years. The longest staying worker is a guy who's been to Palau for 43 years. Their names and photos were flashed at the screen together with their current and former employers and their years of stay in Palau.

Two weeks after that, 300 certificates were given to other Filipino workers that stayed in Palau for at least 15 years. Roberto Hernandez' wife Flor was one of the recipient but she doesn't like to come up to the stage when her name was called because she is shy. Roberto took it while it's raining very hard. He set up the keyboard there at 7:30 am before attending the Sunday Service of Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ in the 4th Watch (Palau Locale).

While waiting for their certificates, the awardees are listening to the music and singing on the keyboard by Ariel Vingcoy, one of the recipient and regular musician at Palauan bars.

It's the first time that Roberto has listen to him singing. He didn't know that Ariel is also one of many singers from Central part of the Philippines with problems in pronouncing "e" as "i" and sometimes pronouncing "i" as "e". Also the "o" as "u" and vice-versa. 

Even with the chords in playing the keyboard, he's missing many simple transpositions. He doesn't use augmented, major 7th, minor 7th, sustain, 7th sustain, diminish, 6th or 9th. A far cry from what he's boasting.