DANCING TO THE TUNE OF FILIPINO SONG "AKO'Y PINOY"
An
energetic and in the mood American girl is dancing to my rendition of a
waltz Filipino song "Ako'y Pinoy" (I'm a Filipino) while her father is
taking a video of her.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez -- Taken by Jovy Rodriguez)
DANCING AND SINGING AMERICAN GIRL
ON JUNE 17, 2014, I'm playing piano at Waves Restaurant of Palau Royal Resort.
As
nobody is appreciating my music, I played whatever song I'd like to
play. One song that is listed in my index of songs that I haven't played
for more than a month is "Ako'y Pinoy" (I'm a Filipino) by Florante.
To
my surprise, a 4-year-old American girl started to dance to the waltz
beat of that song. Her dad, seeing the extra-ordinary scene, started to
take photo and video of his daughter. She keeps on dancing so I repeated
playing the same some 3 times.
Some Taiwanese and other nationalities guests take notice of the girl dancing.
After the song and her dance, there's a big round of applause for her.
I
followed it up with "Puff The Magic Dragon" and she danced and sang
with it. After the song, I clap my hands and said to her and her dad,
"Very good dancer! And singer, also. But I don't understand what she is
singing!"
The father laughed because he knows that his daughter is singing in her own language as she can't speak well yet. But when she opens her mouth to sing, it seems like it rhymes.
The last 2 upbeat songs I've played doesn't have an impact to her -- "Stand By Me" and " Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You."
She is still dancing so I ask the lady bartender Jovy Rodriguez to take some photos of the girl in the background.
This is the last one...
Source: Chess And Music (Perfect Combination)
The Beginning Of Chess In Palau
By Roberto Hernandez
June 2014
To be published as a book in the future
MINT AND HEALTHY DRINK OF THE MONTH
This
Japanese couple gave me a drink. I ordered Drink Of The Month which I
forgot to ask the name of the drink. After finishing my song when the
drink arrive, I go to their table and thank them. We have this photo and
I gave them my card. I also told them that I will be playing another 2
hours of keyboard music from 9-11pm at Breeze Bar. They said they will
go there. (Photo by Roberto Hernandez --Taken by Tin Tin)
ANOTHER DRINK OF THE MONTH
FROM JAPANESE COUPLE
ON
MAY 21, 2014, a Japanese couple asked a waitress to offer me a drink. I
chose the Drink Of The Month without alcohol - I don't know the name
but it tastes mostly with mint and green-colored.
After
playing the a Japanese song, I went to their table and said, "Thank
you." I asked the waitress Tin-Tin to take a photo of us.
I gave them my business card and told them that I will be playing for another 2 hours at Breeze Bar from 9-11pm.
They said they will go there.
While
setting the keyboard at Breeze Bar, there are 2 groups of Filipinos.
One group has a teenage girl that gave me a piece of napkin with 2 songs
written on it as their first requested songs.
The
first one is "Maalaala Mo Kaya" (Do You Remember), which is an old
Filipino song that is also the title of a long-running drama series in
ABS-CBN The Filipino Channel.
The
2nd requested song is "Handog" (Offering). In playing my first
instrumental song, a Filipino guy from that table move the plant that is
on a pot because it distracts their view of me playing.
I
sung the "Handog" song while looking at the songbook. I can't play it
accurately without looking at the chords. It's very simple chords but I
want the 7th sustain of the song to be precise as well as the Major 7th,
minor 7th and 9th.
The Japanese couple arrived after I have gone to the rest room. They sat on the table almost behind me.
When
the Filipino old couple danced to my music, they danced also near their
table. When they dance to a faster beat song, they dance also.
Later, a pretty Filipino from the other table requested "Sana Maulit Muli" (I Hope It Would Happen Again) by Gary Valenciano.
I put the key 2 steps higher because lady's key is different from men. I harmonize with her hitting the high notes in falsetto.
The
Japanese couple also dance while the lady is singing. They have a good
time appreciating Filipino music. Roberto said to them, "Filipinos are
music lovers."
In the 2nd set of requested songs written on a napkin, the teenage girl handed it to me with $1.00 inside.
The
singing and dancing continues till 11pm. The father in the group gave
me another $1.00. I talk to one of the guys, he said their parents are
on vacation in Palau for the first time. They really enjoyed the night.
They asked me if I play there every night. I said yes except on Fridays which is my day off.
Before going home, they asked the Japanese couple to have a photo taken with me near their table...
Source: Chess and Music (Perfect Combination)
The Beginning of Chess In Palau
By Roberto Hernandez
June 2014
To be published as a book in the future
