(1394) CHESS AND WALKATHON (TBN-June 12, 2017)

: THOSE WERE THE DAYS

                   Kione Isechal is the brother of my employer for 13 years at Image Restaurant Margarita Borja Dalton. Whenever he is singing karaoke, I always play his favorite song “Nowhere Man” by The Beatles. Kione is now heading the Palau Public Utilities Corporation and doing a very good job even during the extreme drought last year. Another drought is expected in August this year and everybody is encouraged to conserve water which is theme of this June 10 5k Walkathon.

                                          (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

       CHESS AND WALKATHON 

             A 5k WALKATHON was posted at Palau Royal Resort's bulletin board on June 10 (Sat) with theme of "Water for All".

             It is posted there that the top 20 finishers only will get the free t-shirts. I am not interested because I can't finish that race within the top 20. It is sponsored by PPUC (Palau Public Utilities Corporation, where Tito Cabunagan is working there as engineer.

             When I jog at Palau Track and Field Oval in the early morning of June 09, 2017 Rolly Jardenaso is also jogging. He said he will join as he is sure he can finish in the top 20 for free t-shirt. I said I will not join as I have guitar student from 8-10am.

             But when I'm taking a break after playing piano at Waves Restaurant, I read in the Tia Belau and Island Times newspapers that there are free t-shirts to all participants. So I wake up 4:30 am and drink a glass of boiled mango leaves, one banana and 3 slices of papaya. 

            When I get to the starting point, I registered with my number as 54 and they used a masking tape and put it at the right sleeve of my red t-shirt.

             I talked to Tito and Neph Macasaet while waiting for the start of the race. I told Neph that the 2017 Palau Rapid Chess Championship will be held on July 09 and July 16 (Sundays) as me and Paquito Suringa Jr. will have vacation on July 21 (Fri.).

            Tito asked me why we are only 4 (me, Angie Sisior, him and Jennifer Tubtub Angeles passed the Arbiters' Seminar exam held in May 14-18, 2017. We will all get a FIDE Arbiter's norm for passing the exam while the other 9 will have a National Arbiter title.

             I also ask Tito that this is Walkathon and running shouldn't be doing by participants but when the race starts, many are running. I run also the first kilometer and walk fast alternately.

             It is still dark so I didn't take photos on my way to the turn. After the turn, I saw Kione Isechal with 4 others. The big guy said to me, "So, Chess and Walkathon". He knows I play chess as I have a Chess Mate column at Tia Belau Newspaper for 14 years. I forgot to reply to him the phrase “Healthy Body, Healthy Mind”, which is being done by even former world chess champion Bobby Fischer and Asia’s first GM Eugene Torre.

             After passing the Sea Passion Hotel, 

I started to take photos as the sun is coming out. I took photos of Palau Royal Resort,

 Sea Passion Hotel,Palau Vacation Hotel,

 Causeway, 

Palau International Coral Reef Center, 

Long Island Park,

 Supreme Court, 

Shell Gas Station,

 Island Paradise Resort

 and Palau Visitors Authority.

             The sleeve of my shirt got wet by sweat and I lost my number 54 tag. After filling up the questionnaire, I was given a blue t-shirt and raffle ticket No. 99072. 

            The raffle drawing calls the numbers 99070, 99071, 99073, 99075 and I didn't win any prize. I ate 2 oranges while watching the raffle.

             For group photo, they asked us to wear the blue t-shirt. After the photo, I took it off and will give it to my wife Flor Miranda-Hernandez as I have given her the t-shirt from Fun Run 3 weeks ago, the "World No Tobacco Day 5/10k run/walk."

            When I ask Kione Isechal for a photograph, Tito said, “Those Were the Days”, as he knows that I’ve known Kione since 1995. His favorite song when he is singing karaoke is “Nowhere Man” by The Beatles. Kione asked if I’m still working at PRR and I said yes and gave him my card.

            Solution to last week’s puzzle No. 4415: 1. …Re5+!! 2. Nxe5 g6+ 3. Kh6 Ng4#.

            This week’s puzzle No. 4116: Black to move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)

Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

              Tia Belau Newspaper

              Page 9

              Volume 26

              Issue 46

              June 12, 2017

             Chess and Music (Perfect Combination)

             The Beginning of Chess in Palau

             By Roberto Hernandez

             Soon to be published as a book

             Music and Me by Roberto Hernandez

             Tia Belau Newspaper

             March 15, 2012--April 18, 2013

             http://palau-chess.blogspot.com

             April 25, 2013--June 12, 2017

             The History of Chess in Palau

             By Roberto Hernandez

             June 09, 2002--June 12, 2017