(996) MUSIC EXPERIENCE OF ROBERTO HERNANDEZ (The Crying Old Japanese Guy)

A PIANO WITH A VIEW
     Roberto Hernandez plays piano at Waves Restaurant of Palau Royal Resort from 6:00-9:00 pm every night except Friday (his day off). From 9:00-11:00 pm, he plays keyboard at Breeze Bar, about 30 meters from Waves Restaurant.
                                                                                                                                                           (Photo by: Jaime Guevarra)


         MUSIC EXPERIENCE OF ROBERTO HERNANDEZ
                                          (THE CRYING OLD JAPANESE GUY)

BEFORE CHRISTMAS 2007, the Queen of Koror, Palau Bilung Gloria Salii, her husband Carlos and daughter Uroi had dinner at Waves Restaurant. They gave me $10.00 tip and a glass of red wine.

Before they go home, I talked to Bilung and said, “I would like to give you a Christmas present. I will tune your piano for free before the end of this year.”

I became very busy and haven’t done my promise.

On her birthday, January 05, 2008, they had dinner again at Waves Restaurant with 3 other guests. I played all their favorite songs. She gave me $10.00 tip, a glass of red wine and a slice of her birthday cake.

After three weeks, they had another dinner at Waves and after giving me $5.00 tip this time, I asked for her telephone number at home so that I can set the date of tuning their piano. She said 488-6216.

On March 19, 2008 (Wednesday), I saw her at the entrance of Surangel’s Department Store. I said I will call her on Tuesday (March 25) and will tune their piano on Wednesday (March 26) which I did. After tuning their piano for 2 hours, she is ready to issue me a check but I said I promise to tune it for free as Christmas present. She gave me bananas instead!

The next day, God gave me more that I expected.

 While halfway on my piano playing at Waves Restaurant, a lone, old Japanese guy sits at a table about 7 meters from the piano. Ten minutes later, I started to play the Japanese song “Kawa No Nagareno Yo Ni”. In the middle of that song, I saw him get something from his front pocket- it’s a handkerchief! He is crying and was carried away by my expressive playing.

The two waitresses Maricar Baules and Maricel Carlos saw him crying and asked why. He pointed at me and I played with more expression. Goosebumps are all over my arms and body which I rarely feel when playing with much expression. I followed it up with another Japanese song “Subaru”. He cried more. The handkerchief is all wet!

When I played the song "Kou Jou No Tsuki", he pointed at the sky as the song is about moon. Tsuki is Japanese word for moon.

Fifteen minutes later, he gave me tip. I put it on the piano music stand. Edgar Cayanan, the Assistant Food & Beverage Manager said, “Kuya”, (Older brother) “I don’t think that’s the color of a $5.00 bill.” He checked the tip and said “It is a hundred dollar!” I just continue to play and ignore him as I don’t look at the amount of tip I get until the giver has left.

Edgar told about it to Maricar and Maricel. The two also checked the tip and said. “It’s really $100.00! Can we have some?”

 When the generous man left, a Japanese couple sat at the same table where he sat. The guy requested 3 Japanese songs (Goodbye My Love, Itoshino Elly and the third one, I forgot). I was able to play all those 3 songs and he gave me $1.00 tip!

 Philippine Ambassador to Palau Ramoncito Marino, the biggest supporter of chess in Palau, and his wife Issa were having dinner at that time with an old Japanese lady guest. When he sat down at the piano to play a couple of songs, that’s the only time I look at the tip- it’s really $100.00. I said to the Ambassador, “Look, sir, a Japanese guy gave me $100.00 tip without requesting and another guy who requested 3 songs gave me $1.00”.

The next day, Friday, Edgar said that the man who gave me $100.00 tip last night said he made a mistake in giving me that amount. I said, “It is okay, I haven't spend it yet and when he comes back, I’ll give him back the $100.00 and it’s up to him to decide how much he really wants to give me.”

On Saturday evening, he comes back. While having dinner at the same table, I played all the other Japanese songs that I didn’t play on that Thursday night. When I play the 2 songs that made him cry, he didn’t cry anymore.

 After his dinner, he comes to me with Cathy (Chinese waitress) by his side. He said, “Do you know the guy who plays piano in the cruise by the name of Norman?” I said, “No. Does he play Japanese songs also?” He said yes but only a few. Then he gave me tip again and I put it in my polo shirt pocket. And he left for Japan. Maricel saw that he gave me again and asked how much. I looked at it and it’s another $100.00!

He didn’t make a mistake. Edgar is just kidding me and maybe jealous.


Source: Chess and Music (Perfect Combination)
             The Beginning of Chess in Palau
             By Roberto Hernandez
             December 2007
             To be published as a book in the future 

(376) RAPID CHESS TILT TO START OCT. 24

THE VENUE HOST, SPONSOR AND THE CHAIRMAN
Nestor Canaria, left, sponsored the 2004 Open Chess tournament in his Filco Thrift Mart. He is handing the cash prize of Roberto Hernandez, who finished 1st runner-up to eventual champ Eddie Grefiel. (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)





                  RAPID CHESS TILT
           TO START OCT. 24, 2004

THE AWARDING ceremony of the 2004 Open Chess tournament was held Sunday, October 10 at Filco Thrift Mart in Malakal.

Cash prizes to the top 3 finishers in Class A and certificates were given to the participants and to the host and sponsor Nestor Canaria who also treated the players with a snack of spaghetti, sandwich and fruit punch prepared by his wife, Lolit.

The 6 trophies for the winners didn't arrive in time and it will be given on the opening of the 2004 Rapid Chess tournament to start October 24 with at least 19 players expected to compete.

The new venue for the tournament is the Parish Center For Migrant Workers beside the Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

The format will be 30 minutes for each player to finish the game. The players must play at least 2 games each week in this single round-robin event.

Current champion Eddie Grefiel and his co-employee Joel Azana must play 4 games each week because they can play only every other week.

Sonnenborn Berger System of tiebreak will be used to break the tie among top 5 finishers. There will be no Class A and B division and if there are at least 5 junior players who will participate, there will be a double round-robin for juniors (18 years and below).

Ivan II Chess Computer will participate in both divisions. Registration fee is $10.00 and the half of the collected fee will go to The Filipino Community in Palau who will sporsor the event.

Margarita Borja Dalton, a senatorial candidate, will provide the lemon tea drink every Sunday for the players while another senatorial candidate Carlos 'Hiros' Salii has not yet committed as of press time.

Jimboy de Jesus, the 2nd runner-up in the 2002 Open Chess tournament is expected to join this coming tournament after being inactive in the last 4 tourneys. His barrack is just beside the tournament site.

Mario Ramos, Danny Dandoy and Mike Miguel, Jr., all trophy winners in the 2004 Non-master Chess tilt are joining again after missing the last tournament due to job schedule conflict.

Father and son Norbert and Dmitri Villanueva were also invited. Norbert is a very busy man nowadays and so as Tutii Joe Chilton, the first Palauan trophy winner of the 2003 Open Chess tournament at Image Restaurant and Sports Bar and hosted by Margarita Borja Dalton.

Before the awarding of certificates and cash prizes last Sunday, some players watched the raffle drawing of Shell where a jet ski is the grand prize. White waiting, most of the players practice speed (blitz) chess at Rip Tide.

Only after the grand prize was won that the players proceed to the awarding ceremony and after the snack, Grefiel and Azana left and the planned 10-minute blitz chess tourney was cancelled.

A few years ago, rapid chess is called active chess and speed chess is called blitz. Internationally, it is now called rapid instead of active and speed instead of blitz but some players still use the old one.

The recently concluded 2004 Open Chess tourney have a record of 6 newcomers -- Den Canaria, Morton Sawaichi, Edward Agravante, Jerry Sermeno, Dennis Gonzales and Azana.

There's almost 3 months rest after the 2004 Non-Master Chess tourney and 2004 Open. And now, it's only 3 weeks before the start of the last tournament of the year.

Solution to last week's puzzle: 1. Qxf7+! Kxf7 2. Bc4+ Qd5 3. Bxd5 mate.

This week's puzzles:
White to move and mates in 3 White to move and mates in 2
(Solution next issue)


Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
October 15-21, 2004

(333) MUSIC AND ME (Oct. 25) Parents' Support

PICTORIAL WITH TAIWAN BEAUTIES
On October 09, 2012, these Taiwanese beauties have a pictorial with Roberto Hernandez before 11:00 pm. One of them gave him $5.00 tip for playing "Yue Liang Dai Biao Wo De Xin", the most popular Taiwanese song according to Hernandez, that even 4-year-old kids know the song. (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)



    PARENTS' SUPPORT IN THEIR
       CHILDREN MUSIC STUDY

I’M TEACHING Uroi Salii piano in 2001 the song “Jamaica Farewell” and her parents, Carlos ‘Hiros’ Salii and Bilung Gloria Salii, were resting inside their room.

The melody of the song sounds familiar to them and they both get out of the room and sang with me with Uroi playing the accompaniment of the song on the upright piano.
After singing, they asked me, “Is that (Jamaica Farewell) the title of that song?” I said yes. Mr. Salii said, “I know the melody but I didn’t know the title of the song.

It’s a very nice feeling that the parents of my students help and support their kids’ music study. When I pursue my musical career, I have to pay for my own tuition fees and other expenses in studying at Yamaha School of Music because my parents can’t afford it.

I always point it out to my students who have parents that can afford their musical study; that they should appreciate being how lucky they are for having all those resources to learn so they must show their appreciation to their parents by studying hard and learning their favorite songs even though it’s oldies but goodies.

It’s a very special sensation if parents can sing songs and their kids are the ones playing the instruments instead of singing karaoke – which is a machine. Live musicians can adjust to the tempo and pitch of the songs. While there is now pitch control in most karaoke machines, the ‘free-timing’ in singing with live musician is something different. In karaoke, you follow the machine while in live musicians, they follow the singer.

THIS IS A DIFFERENT STORY OF HOW TO INSPIRE PARENTS WITH THEIR KIDS’ MUSIC STUDY –

I wrote a letter (handwritten) to Jasmine Yano’s parents, Dr. Victor Yano and Jennifer Sugiyama after teaching her the song “Soccer Is My Favorite”.

Dear Dr. and Mrs. Victor Yano,
I haven’t met a perfectionist child before until when I teach Jasmine piano the song “Soccer Is My Favorite”. We started slowly and whenever she makes a mistake, she had to repeat it again from the beginning of the song.

It happened twice that she misses the last note of the song so she had to start over again. I didn’t hear any complain from her or show any sign of fatigue until she finally played the whole song without a single mistake.

We even exceed our time by 10 minutes. After 70 minutes of amusement to her perfectionist character, all I can give her is a tap on her shoulder for a very well job done.

With this character of her, I think that she will excel in whatever field she will take in the future.

Source: Music and Me by Roberto Hernandez

             Tia Belau Newspaper

             Pages 12-13

             Volume 21

             Issue 75

            Octobert 25, 2012

(104) MUSIC AND ME (3rd Issue-Tia Belau)

$300.00 RICHER
     Enny Derbai, left, may pursue a singing career after winning the Chinese Song Singing Contest held at Palasia Hotel on Nov. 02, 2011. Roberto Hernandez, right, accompany her on the keyboard to the songs "Evergreen Mountain" and "Orchid". Both songs have beautiful melodies and fantastic rhythm.                        (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)




CHOOSING THE RIGHT SONG
AND THE RIGHT KEY

SOME PEOPLE say to me, “This song is too high for me.” And I always reply, “There’s no high or low song for you. Know the right key that fits your pitch or voice range.

Some will say also to me, “This song doesn’t fit my style of singing.” It’s true in many senses. That’s why you need to experiment with different kinds of songs. There are millions of songs to choose from.

When I’m just learning to play guitar, I discovered many songs that fits my voice, my key and style. I have an average range of voice so those songs by James Taylor, Jim Croce, John Denver, Billy Joel and other singers with average range of voice fits my style and kinds of songs.

When I’m singing songs of lady singers, I transposed the key 3 steps higher and that’s my range. Rock singers have high range of voice so I often transpose the key 4 or more steps lower.

During the inaugural Chinese Songs Singing Contest held at Palasia Hotel in November 02, 2011, the champion among 9 contestants, Enny Derbai, won the contest because she chose the right songs that fits her voice and style AND… she is the only one who have the guts to sing song number 4 (Lan Hua Cao – Orchid) and 5 (Gao Shan Qing –(Alii) Evergreen Mountain) songs in the list of 5 to choose from.

The other 8 contestants chose 2 songs from song no. 1 (Tian Mi Mi –Sweetly Sweet), no. 2 (Yue Liang Dai Biao Wo De Zin – The Moon Symbolizes My Heart), and no. 3 (Ye Lai Xiang – Night Jasmine). So it becomes monotonous hearing those same songs sung by 8 contestants.

Prior to the contest’s night, I have practiced twice with 5 of the contestants trying to get their right key, range and style. The other 4 were practiced by different keyboard players. I’m proud to say that the top 3 winners are all among my group with Enny Derbai bagging the first place and $300.00 cash prize followed by the youngest contestant Sheree Madelsar Aulerio from Koror Elementary School ($200.00) and Lesje Tulop of Palau High School ($100.00).

On the day of my 22-day vacation to Philippines (Sept. 27-Oct. 18, 2011), I was given a CD of those 5 Taiwanese songs to listen to and familiarize with its melodies. I have spent dozens of hours listening to those songs repeatedly without keyboard, only guitar. My keyboard has been soaked to floodwaters and can’t be fixed anymore. It’s good that the contest was postponed from Oct. 21 to Nov. 2 that it allows me more time to practice and prepare. Now, 4 popular Taiwanese songs were added to my limited repertoire of Chinese songs.

By the way, Aulerio also received the special award of “Most Courageous” and “Best Dressed” special award was won by Tulop and the other special award that was won by a contestant not in my group was the “Most Entertaining” won by Dildimes Uehara of Palau Community College. They received gifts for winning those awards.

The occasion was attended by a bevy of dignitaries including President Johnson Toribiong, who just came back from France, Bilung Gloria Salii, Counselors Randy Wang and Bill Huang, senators, ministers, delegates and others.

The judges include Palau Ambassador to Germany and the European Union (EU) Carlos Salii, who sang a special number song “Corina, Corina”, First Lady Valeria Toribiong, Taiwan Ambassador Maggie Tien, who also sung a Taiwanese song with“Taipei” in its title, and Kevin Lim.

LESJE TULOP, left, won the "Best Dressed" and 2nd place ($200.00) in the Chinese Song Singing Contest with her rendition of 2 Taiwanese songs accopanied on the keyboard by Roberto Hernandez, right.

The youngest among 9 contestants Sheree Madelsar Aulerio, left, with Roberto Hernandez after the awarding. Sheree also won "Most Couregeous" award and 3rd place ($100.00) for her effort.

Family of Lesje Tulop who attended the awarding ceremony. The crowd is allowed to vote for the awards --"Most Courageous", "Most Entertaining" and "Best Dressed" contestants.

Proud winner of Chinese Song Singing Contest Enny Derbai shows his plaque and envelope with $300.00 cash prize.

(72) CHESSMATE 45-B MANY FIRSTS

CHAMP AGAIN
2002 All-Filipino Chess champion Eddie Grefiel receives his 2003 Open 2nd runner-up trophy from Chairman Roberto Hernandez. He became the first 2-time champion by winning the 2004 Open with a win over Joel Azana, left, who also lost to Cyril Montel, Jr., right, in their final round match. (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

                 MANY 'FIRSTS'

THE PENULTIMATE round of the 2004 Open Chess tournament produce many 'firsts' as it will have a 2-time champion for the first time in 7 tournaments.

Eddie Grefiel, a civil engineer of Daewoo Corp. and the 2002 All- Filipino champ, defeated newcomer and co-employee Joel Azana in the 8th round to virtually clinch the title.

Grefiel lost to Roberto Hernandez in 49 moves of Bird's Opening in his final game of Class A.

It was the first win of Hernandez over Grefiel, who beat him in the 2002 and 2003 Open.

On the 22nd move, Hernandez sacrificed a rook for a pawn but threatened mate in the process.

Grefiel, who finished the tourney with a 6-1-1 win-loss-draw record, gave up his queen for a rook and still carried on until he regained the queen but was down by a rook and 4 pawns.

In the endgame, his bishop and king couldn't do anything against Hernandez' 3 bishops and 3 pawns.

The final round on Sunday will determine the 1st and 2nd runner-up being contested by Hernandez, (5-2-0), defending champion Jess Toldoya (2-1-3) and Jimmy Valenzuela (4-2-2).

Toldoya requested to play against Ivan II Chess Computer on Saturday and will play Hernandez on Sunday.

It will be the 2nd time in a row that Hernandez and Toldoya will meet in the final day that will affect the outcome of at least 3 players' final standings.

In Class B division, Ivan II Chess Computer suffered its first defeat from Jose Omega, who also won over newcomer Den Canaria and avenged his lost to Morton Sawaichi 2 weeks ago with a convincing win.

Mariano Agustin, Jr. lost for the 2nd time to Ivan II but nipped the 28-year-old Math teacher Jerry Sermeno and is still tied for the lead with Ivan II with 7 points apiece.

Omega is just a point shy off the leaders and can tie Agustin, Jr. if they will both win their remaining matches against absent newcomer Dennis Gonzales. If they end up with the same score, they will play on game to determine the Class B champion of the 2004 Open sponsored by Nestor Canaria and held every Sunday at Filco Thrift Mart in Malakal.

Agustin, Jr. is aiming for a first chess title while Omega won the Class B title of the 2003 Age Group chess tilt.

OTHER RESULTS OF CLASS A DIVISION:
Cyril Montel, Jr. (2-5-1) scored 2.5 points in his last 3 games after losing the first 5. He won over Azana (1-6-1) and Bong Alipoon (1-4-1).

Menandro Manuel (3-3-1) drew with Toldoya in the last game of the day.

Manuel (4-1) became the first 2-tim winner of speed (blitz) chess contest participated in by Grefiel (3-2), Azana (2-3), Hernandez (2-3), Valenzuela (3-2) and Alipoon (1-4).

Manuel keeps the half of the registration fee of $5.00 and the other half was spent on drinks of other participants.

Carlos 'Hiros' Salii, a senatorial candidate, expressed his willingness to sponsor a chess event when he had a talk with Hernandez last week at Palau International Airport.

Final details will be discussed when he returns next month. He will be the first male Palauan to sponsor a chess tournament.

He said he played chess a long time ago already and is an avid reader of Chess Mate.

The 2003 Open Chess tournament was sponsored and hosted by Margarita Borja Dalton, another senatorial candidate.

Incumbent senator Steven Kanai was invited to participate in the 2004 Non-master chess tourney but did not respond.

Solution to last week's puzzle: The key move is 1. Na6! and black will be mated in 2 moves against any defence. Can yo figure it all out? Black has 4 alternatives.

This week's puzzle: White to play and mates in 3
Solution: 1. Ne7++ Kh8 2. Ng6+! hxg6 3. hxg6 mate.

White to play and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)

Source:
Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
October 01-08, 2004