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.
