(973) MUSIC AND ME (June 04, 2015) D' VOICE PALAU (One of the Judges in the Blind Audition)

LONG TIME IN PALAU, TOO
     Ariel Vingcoy has been to Palau a few years more than Roberto Hernandez. The two was selected by the TFCP elected officials to adjudge the Blind Audition of their fund raising program on Nov. 16, 2014 at Sunset Park. Before the start of the Blind Audition, they performed some dancing numbers to pump up the waiting crowd. There are some dancing even to the tune of Palauan song "TNT" sung by Roberto.

                    D' VOICE PALAU
   (One of the Judges in the Blind Audition)

For being one of the elected Board Members of The Filipino Community in Palau (TFCP), one way of sharing my talent in music is agreeing to be one of the judges in the Blind Audition of the first D’ Voice Palau to be held on Opening day of 2014 Palau National Chess Championship on Nov. 16, 2014.

I have played already my first round game against co-employee Paquito 'Pax' Suringa, Jr. 3 days prior to the opening day so that I can assist to the many needs of players (more than 40 of them).

At past 3pm, Palau erstwhile top player for 5 years Menandro Manuel asked me if we can play our game since he is leaving Palau after a 2-month job stint (Oct.-Dec. 2014).

Although I might be late for the Blind Audition, we played our 2nd round game on that day. I won in 32 moves and immediately proceed to Palau Royal Resort to have dinner and proceed to Sunset Park for the 1st round of the Blind Audition of D' Voice Palau.

I met a colleague there, Ariel Vingcoy, and we performed on the stage with him using the place's keyboard. We only have one mike and we alternately sing some upbeat songs, mostly reggae.

When I notice that there are some Palauans in the crowd, I sang "TNT", the Palauan version of the Hawaiian song "Baby Blue" in reggae beat.

Like any other first time occasion, the blind audition didn't go smoothly at first. Some contestants didn't have a CD of their song to be performed. One guy has a guitar, one even have the guts to ask us to accompany him with a keyboard while he is singing. Maybe, not knowing that we are judges of the event.

Mike Aunor, left, had played with Roberto Hernandez, right, in the 2010 New Year's Eve Countdown at Palau Royal Resort. Aunor is also one of the judges in the final day of D' Voice Palau.
                                                        (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)