James dela Cruz, 2nd from right, is back in Palau. Here, he's participating in the Awarding Ceremony of 2005 Open Chess Tourney sponsored by Leo Lacambra, 3rd from right, who has recently won the presidency of The Filipino Community in Palau (TFCP). The others in the photo are Palau no. 1 Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr., 3rd from left, Jose Omega, right, co-sponsor Roswell Macapagal, left, and PCF Secretary/Treasurer Roberto Hernandez, 2nd from left.
(Photo by: Ma. Florida M. Hernandez)
JAMES, THE JACK OF ALL TRADE,
IS BACK IN PALAU
JAIME DELA CRUZ, popularly known as James, has participated in the later rounds of 2005 Open Chess Tournament held from May 22-Sept. 25 at Privilege Store premises in Malakal. He finished a respectable 9th place with a 7-8-0 win-loss-draw record among 16 contestants.
In 2005-2006 Rapid Chess Tournament held at Jean’s Boutique and Store from Oct. 23, 2005-Feb. 12, 2006, he didn’t finish all his games and placed 28th among 29 participants with a 3-48-5 slate in the double round robin tourney that has been the most hectic chess tournament in Palau. The top 10 finishers of that event were Menandro Manuel, Edwin Eti, Manny Nedic, Cyril Montel, Jr., Bong Alipoon, Jimmy Valenzuela, Roberto Hernandez, Jose Omega, Jose Misael de Jesus and Felix Lapitan.
James
donated a big tent cover for the parking area of Jean’s Boutique so that
players will have bigger space to play their games. He also donated the trophies
for that tourney—beautifully carved big wooden chess pieces which he made.
That’s one of his numerous talents aside from engineering, interior designing, landscaping (he designed the Palau Royal Resort landscaping), auto mechanic, electrician, basketball player/coach/referee, musician, dental braces maker and everything more that you can think of.
In
January 2012, he became the first Filipino basketball referee that officiated
in a locally held basketball tournament twice a week. He’s got an amateur basketball
referee license from Philippines.
He’s
now
working with Melwert Tmetuchl and currently designing the building
where the first vegetarian restaurant in Palau with perfect view, will
be built. There's a fruit farm and a botanical garden next to it.
James
and Roberto Hernandez, the Secretary/Treasurer of Palau Chess Federation,
became friends in 2005 when Hernandez and his wife Flor stayed for a few months
in Airai View Hotel Annex where James worked part-time with Lazar, Melwert’s
wife.
Being
with a Jack of All Trade guy is a golden opportunity for Hernandez to expand
his knowledge about the things that James knew. In return, Hernandez taught
James keyboard lessons where the latter was the best student Hernandez ever
had. When James is playing “Imagine” by himself and Hernandez is passing by, he
thought that it’s him (Hernandez) playing the keyboard!
When
James went back home in Philippines in late November 2005, Hernandez gave him a
keyboard that he will get in Hernandez’ house in Hagonoy, Bulacan. James even
asked Hernandez for some chess materials so that he can organize chess
tournaments while staying in Philippines.
After
more than six years staying with his wife in Philippines, Melwert finally
convinced James to come back to Palau for his big project that will include
also some 20 cottages for high-end tourists to stay. While staying in his house
alone, Hernandez usually visits him for more bonding, learning more about chess
participation in the coming tournaments and sharing their knowledge. WELCOME
BACK TO PALAU, MR. JACK OF ALL TRADE! Or maybe MR. JAMES OF ALL
TRADE!!!
Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Pages 9-10
Volume 21
Issue 06
February 06, 2012
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