(906) "WE ONLY HAVE ONE CAR" (Opening Day of 2002 All-Filipino Chess Tournament)

 FIRST-EVER CHESS TOURNAMENT IN PALAU BANNER
     The Filipino Community in Palau (TFCP) sponsored the first ever chess tournament in Palau that started on June 09, 2002 at Mindzenty Auditorium. 20 players participated including 4 women. One of them is Karen, the 17-year-old daughter of Roberto Hernandez--who pioneered chess in Palau. While on their way to the venue on June 09, 2002, a traffic violation occurred... (Video photo by Roberto Hernandez)


            "WE ONLY HAVE ONE CAR"
    (Opening Day of 2002 All-Filipino Chess Tournament)

I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT AFTERNOON -- 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE OPENING DAY OF PALAU FIRST CHESS TILT.

AFTER lunch at 12:00 noon, me and my daughter Karen are on our way to the Opening Day of the first-ever chess tournament in Palau -- the 2002 All-Filipino Chess Tournament to be held at Mindzenty Auditorium.

Before reaching the Meyuns Causeway, there is a long 'parade' of cars, because the one in front runs at about 8 miles/hour.

At a distance of about 200 feet clear traffic at left lane of a two-lane road, the car in front of me driven by a Palau guy overtook the slow car.

I didn't look at the rear view mirror and overtook the slow car also.

There is a police car in the 'parade' of cars and started to chase us. When I see the police car lights blinking with horn sound, I pull over. The first car runs very fast and the policemen didn't bother to chase the 'mastermind'.

Karen stayed in the car while I'm asking the first policeman, "Why didn't you chase the car that overtook first?"

His response is the most stupid answer I ever heard, 
"Ole (Palau word for friend), WE ONLY HAVE ONE CAR!"

Does he means that they must have 2 cars to chase both of us? There is still time to catch the first violator if they decided to do it. They know that I'm realizing my mistake that's why I pull over. The one that's running away is the one that they should chase.

I was issued a 'speeding' ticket that I would have to pay first the penalty and if I want to contest it, I will ask for the help of a Public Defender.

We were 10 minutes late in the Opening Day with Karen playing her friend/classmate Michelle Ramos in the first round of 9-round Swiss system event.

Karen Hernandez using a red fan to cool herself while playing against Michelle Ramos in the Opening Day of 2002 All-Filipino chess tournament. She won this game but lost in the 2nd round to Mike Miguel, Jr.
Roberto was not allowed to play but during the 2nd round, there is an odd number of players--17. He asked all players if they will agree if he will join. Everybody agreed except Mario Ramos. Roberto lost his first 2 games in the 3rd round. Another player was added (Geoffrey Moro) and it's odd numbers again. Roberto was able to convince his fellow musician Lemuel Bacor to join to make it an even 20-player event.
                                           (Video photo by Roberto Hernandez)

After paying the traffic violation penalty ($30.00), I asked how to contest the violation.

I have a long conversation with the young and promising Public Defender Siegfried 'Chico' Nakamura. He explains that policemen have the right to chose which one to chase in my situation.

The one we are trying to prove is the distance (clear path on the left side) if it's really at least 200 feet.

By logical calculation, the distance from Asanuma Store and Belau National Hospital is clearly more than 200 feet.

When the Judge of the Common Pleas dismissed my case, I have confidence now to challenge or contest all my succeeding traffic violations in which I won all.

This became a reason why many co-employees are asking me to help them contest their case especially those who can't speak good English.

Two cases (Roel Leano and Paquito 'Pax' Suringa, Jr.) were not won because the two lied about their statement.

In Roel's case, he said he consumed only 2 Budweiser beer but consumed half bottle of gin prior to that.

In Paquito's case, he said the lady who hit his bike runs away from the accident scene but when he said that the Palauan lady gets off from the car and asked him, "Are you okay?" it means she's not running away from the scene of accident. The lady left when he said he's okay.

After learning that, I told Paquito, "Let's go home. You're just wasting my time!" 
  

2002 ALL-FILIPINO RAPID CHESS TOURNAMENT

June 9 – August 4, 2002

9- Round Swiss System

FIRST ROUND PAIRINGS AND RESULTS:                    (June 9, 2002)

1. Julius Torres vs. Eugene Koh (0-1) 2. Michelle Ramos vs. Karen Hernandez (0-1) 3.Mario Ramos vs. Eddie Grefiel (0-1) 4. Vincent Vergara vs. Jimboy de Jesus (1-0)

5. Glen Navarosa v. Jimmy Valenzuela (0-1) 6. Amante Caballero v. Mike Miguel (0-1)

7. Angie Parrado vs. Remy Mingo (0-1)

SPECIAL 2^ND ROUND:                                                      (June 9, 2002)

1.Eddie Grefiel vs. Eugene Koh  (1-0)

PLAYERS PROFILE

1.  Jaime Quiapo Valenzuela           Date of Birth: Dec. 01, 1955

     Address:                       San Felipe Santiago St.  Minalabac, Camarines Sur Philippines

     Height: 5’4”                Weight:   125 lbs.              Civil Status:  Married

     Blood Type: B+          Passport No. GG440998  (2005)   Issued at: Legaspi City Phil.

     Beneficiaries:               Rosemarie Tesoro –Spouse--      Age: 41        Address: Same

                                          Maryjoy Valenzuela –daughter   Age: 13       Address:  Same

                                          Jeremy Valenzuela – son-            Age: 10       Address: Same

     Address in Palau:                         P. O. Box 129 Koror, Palau 96940

     Company/Employer:                   Neco

     Date of Arrival in Palau:              July 10, 1997                SS No. 09-416057

     Office tel. no                             . 488-5070

2.  Eugenio Weber Koh                    Date of Birth: Sept. 07, 1970

     Address:                                 109 M. Hizon St. 10^th Avenue Caloocan City Philippines

     Height:      5’5”                          Weight: 145 lbs.             Blood Type:  O

     Passport No.                               FF076832   (3/27/03)

     Beneficiary:                                Edith Koh    -wife-          Age: 31    Address: Same

     Address in Palau:                        c/o Neco Plaza

     Company/Employer:                  Neco Corporation

     Date of Arrival in Palau:            March 28, 2001

     Office Tel. No                            488-7436

3. Lemuel E. Bacor                                Tel. 488-1458

4. Amante Cabasan Caballero                Tel. 587-2121

5. Vincent Vergara                                 Tel. 488-2765/4858     I.D. No. 0510

     Date of Birth:                                    January 04, 1977        Blood Type:  B

     SS No. 09-421238

6. Glen Navarroza                                    Tel. 488-6106

7. Jose Misael de Jesus                           Tel. 488-1527

8. Eddie Grefiel                                       Tel. 824-1138

    Profession: Civil Engineer                   Company/Employer: Daewoo Corporation

9. Ceferino Balancio Miguel, Jr.             Tel. 587-3606

    Employer:                                            Surangel’s                          SS No. 09-415672

    Date of Birth: October 10, 1955          Place of Birth: Bauang, La Union Philippines

    Address:               #39 Sampaguita St. San Juan San Ildefonso, Bulacan Philippines

    Height: 5’5”             Weight: 130 lbs.          Civil Status: Married

    Passport No. FF726064  (2/16/06)      Philippine Embassy Koror, Palau

    Beneficiaries: Susana Miguel-wife     Age: 45  Address: PMA Industries Airai, Palau

                           Cherry Ann Miguel –daughter- Age: 19   Address: Same as above

                           Jefferson Miguel -son  Age: 17    Address: Same as above

   Date of Arrival in Palau:      May 06, 1997     Office Tel. No. 587-3510

10. Mario Ramos                    Tel. No. 488-2679     654-1060

11. Remy Mingo                      Tel. 488-3888

12. Michelle Ramos                Tel, 587-2370

13. Ben Ramos                        Tel. 587-2370

14. Julius Torres                     Tel. 488-3839    Office Tel. 488-5482

      Employer:                          Philippine Embassy        

      Profession:                         Consul General, Philippine Embassy

15. Geoffrey Moro                 Tel. 824-1138

      Employer/Company:        Daewoo Corporation

16. Angie Parrado                  Tel. 488-2124  (Work) 488-2129 (Office) 488-3546 (Home)

17. Bong Alipoon                   Tel. 488-4149

18. Noel Filomeno                  Tel. 488-8025     488-1309

      Employer/Company:        Winchel’s

19. Karen Gennibeth Hernandez           Tel. 488-3694

      Date of Birth: May 18, 1985           Place of Birth: Makati City, Philippines

      Address:               114 San Guillermo St. Bayanan, Muntinlupa Philippines

      Date of Arrival in Palau:                 June 17, 1995

      Profession:                                       High School Student at Mindzenty High School

20. Roberto Angeles Hernandez            Tel. 488-3694

      Employer/Company:                        Image Restaurant      Tel. 488-1881

      Height:    5’7”                                  Weight:  145 lbs.       Civil Status: Married

      Blood Type:       O+                          Profession: Musician

      Date of Arrival in Palau:                   February 04, 1992

      



  

Round 9                                                                                    (August 4, 2002)

White: Roberto Hernandez

Black: Julius Torres

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 c5 4. Be3 dxe4 5. Nxe4 cxd4 6. Bxd4 Nc6 7. Nf3 Nxd4 8. Nxd4 Nf6 9. Bb5+ Bd7 10. Nxf6 gxf6 11. Qf3 Qa5+ 12. c3 Bxb5 13. Qxb7 Rd8  14. Nxb5 a6 15. Nc7+ Ke7 16. Nd5+ Ke8 17. Nxf6 #           1-0

 
      

  

FINAL STANDINGS:

                                                              WIN         LOSS        DRAW     TOTAL     W    B  

 1.  EDDIE GREFIEL                              8               1                 0               8.0           3    6

 2.  JIMMY VALENZUELA                   7               2                0               7.0            5    4

 3.  ROBERTO HERNANDEZ               6               3                0               6.0            5    4

 4.  MIKE MIGUEL, JR.                         6               3                0                6.0           6    3

 5.  BONG ALIPOON                             6               3                0                6.0           4    5

 6.  REMY MINGO                                 5               4                0                5.0           6    3

 7.  JULIUS TORRES                             5                4                0                5.0           4    5

 8.  GEOFFREY MORO                         5                4                0                5.0          4    5

 9.  EUGENE KOH                                 5                4                0                5.0          4    5

10. ANGIE PARRADO                          4                3                1                4.5          4    4

11. NOEL FILOMENO                          4                4                1                4.5          5    4

12. MARIO RAMOS                              4                5                0                4.0          5    4

13. VINCENT VERGARA                    4                 5               0                 4.0          5    4

14. JIMBOY DE JESUS                        4                  5               0                 4.0         4     5

15. AMANTE CABALLERO               4                  5               0                 4.0         5     4

16. BEN RAMOS                                  3                  6               0                 3.0         3     6

17. GLEN NAVAROSA                        2                 4               0                 2.0         3     3

18. KAREN HERNANDEZ                  2                 7               0                  2.0        4     5

19. LEMUEL BACOR                          1                  6               0                 1.0         3    4

20. MICHELLE RAMOS                      1                 7               0                  1.0         5    3

Sources: The History of Chess in Palau
              By Roberto Hernandez
             June 09, 2002 - March 16, 2015

              Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
              Tia Belau Newspaper
              December 29, 2002 - March 16, 2015

             Chess and Music (Perfect Combination)
             The Beginning of Chess in Palau
             By Roberto Hernandez
             2002 - 2015
             To be published as a book in the future