(1324) MUSIC AND ME (Oct. 27, 2016) REUNION WITH CHIEF JUSTICE ARTHUR NGIRAKLSONG

APPELLATE JUDGES SWEARING IN - Oct. 28, 2016
     Palau Chief Justice Arthur Ngiraklsong requested me to play some music during the swearing-in ceremony of 2 appellate judges, on Friday, Oct. 28, 2016 at Palau Supreme Court. I asked a Palauan guy to have picture with me and CJ but he didn't press the camera button well and no picture was taken. This shot without CJ was taken by Kambes Kesolei, the Editor of Tia Belau.


  REUNION WITH CHIEF JUSTICE
        ARTHUR NGIRAKLSONG

I'VE GOT a phone call from Palau Supreme Court staff on Oct. 26, 2016, asking me to play music while the swearing-in of 2 appellate judges is taking place.

It is to be held on Fri. Oct. 28, 2016 and will start at 10:30am. She also asked how much I will charge per hour. I said if I will use my own equipment, it is $25.00/hour. 

They have to provide me with mike, mike stand and amplifier to plug the keyboard.

They asked me to come at 2pm on that day to check the place and to decide where to put the keyboard.

I brought the keyboard and go there to check the place and we decided that I will come an hour earlier (9:30) for equipment set-up. I gave them my card to reach me more easier in case there are changes in the schedule.

I proceed to Star Electronics for Roger (the Technician) to check if he can fix the defective keyboard that I am using now because the new keyboard that I ordered in July hasn't come yet.

Six keys are not working and one of the speaker was unplugged by me because it produces an irritable hissing sound.

Roger checked it and found out that he fixed also the 2 defective keys 3 years ago. It will take long time to fix those keys and because I will still use it for tonight, we don't have enough time.

I have no choice but to use the defective keyboard. I come there an hour earlier and set-up the keyboard. A policeman park my car beside the building because I'm very busy with setting-up the equipment.

The 2 speakers are very much afar from each other and I can't hear my music. They provide me with a mike without a stand. I requested one and I've a very early request from a lady -- an Italian song Santa Maria.

I put out my song book with international songs and sung it to her surprise.

I continue playing instrumental while Palau President Tommy Remengesau is doing the swearing in. I saw also former President (2008-2012) Johnson Toribiong and proudly showed to other attorneys our pictures on the cover of 2 of my song books (all handwritten).

I played instrumental Palauan songs like "Betik Ra Renguk Lekebiil", Kau El Ngalk", "Mokedemokebii" and sung the "Dil Dil Lomais
and chorus of "Ngesuas".

When the guests are having their finger food lunch, I placed the other speaker fronting me because I can't hear the sound and the other one to my left, I carried it and placed it to about 2 meters from my place so that I can hear my music more clearly.

When CJ is closer to me, I played all his favorite songs with some of them I am singing. The quality of the sound system is not good but still CJ enjoyed it. He mentioned that there will be another swearing-in in Jan. 06, 2017 and he will hire me again.

I asked if the 2 appellate judges are all from Palau. He said one is American and has been a judge here for a while and the other one is Palauan. 

I asked the in-charge of sound system to take a photo of me and CJ but no photo was taken when I check it in my room at Palau Royal Resort. It's good the Tia Belau Editor Kambes Kesolei took a picture of me (solo). I know he's taken some shots with me and CJ but my solo photo is the only one he posted at Facebook.

I have some discussion with CJ about Margarita "Margie" Borja Dalton, my employer of 13 years. During my post here about "Chess Jokes (Part 4) For Adults Only", where Margie asked him, "Can You Marry Me?" and he said, "Yes, I thought you wouldn't ask!" Margie immediately said, "I mean, I will be getting married at Rock Island, could you marry us?"



        QUICK, SMART AND HILARIOUS REPLY 

It happened in late 1990's. At about past 12:00 midnight, all guests have left the Image Restaurant (which is open for dinner from 6-9 pm. Roberto Hernandez operates the karaoke from 9-11 after playing piano from 7-9pm.

Karaoke stopped and Roberto just practice with Ivan II Chess Computer while his boss Margarita 'Margie' Borja Dalton, Encely Ngiraiwet, Joyce Isechal and Frida Loftis are just talking and finishing their drinks.

Suddenly, the phone rings. AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT?

It's an unusual time to get a phone call for a restaurant. All restaurants in Palau closed at 11:00pm at the latest.

Being the owner and manager of Image Restaurant, Margie answered the call... "Image Restaurant, Good Evening."

There's a middle-aged Palauan guy who asked Margie an unexpected question -- "Can I eat your pussy?" 

Margie, being a smart, quick to response to any question, replied with, "SORRY, IT'S NOT IN THE MENU!"


Roberto just learned about that response when the 4 Palauan ladies started to laugh very loud. Maybe the Palauan guy didn't expect that response and was in shock. 

When I told this joke to Palau Chief Justice Arthur Ngiraklsong before Christmas of 2013, he enjoyed it especially the quick response from Margie. He knew her since childhood. He adores her beauty until now that she's past 65 years old. 

He told Roberto on that night that he heard this joke, that Margie asked her once --"CAN YOU MARRY ME?" 

And he replied -"YES! I THOUGHT YOU WOULD NEVER ASK!"

Margie replied back --"No, I mean I'm getting married and I want you to marry us at the Rock Island wedding." 

Margie married (for the 3rd time) Japanese businessman Masa Shibuta at the Rock Island in the late '80's or early '90's. Mr. Shibuta comes to Palau every 3 months since their wedding.

Chief Justice also enjoyed the joke "WHICH ROOM?"
   Four persons died at the same time in 4 different places. One is a priest, the other is an American soldier in Iraq, the 3^rd one is a chess Grandmaster and the 4^th one is a prostitute.

                At the pearly gate of heaven, St. Peter asked them one by one of “What are the good things that you have done while you’re living on earth?”

                The priest said, “I am a priest and I think I don’t need to explain anything.”

                St. Peter sees the purity in the priest’s heart and said to him – “You go to the WHITE ROOM.”

                Next is the American soldier who died from a bomb explosion in Iraq. He said, “I’m a soldier. I died serving my country.”

                St. Peter sees the bravery in his heart and said to him –“You go to the RED ROOM.”

                The 3^rd one is the chess Grandmaster. He was asked again of “what are the good things that you did while you’re still living on earth?” He said, “I’m a chess Grandmaster. I don’t smoke, I don’t drink alcohol. I dedicate my whole life to chess.”

                St. Peter sees the dedication of the Grandmaster and ask him – “You go to the CHECKERED ROOM.”

                And lastly, St. Peter asked the prostitute –“What are the good things that you did on earth while you’re still living?” She said, “I make a lot of men happy!”

                St. Peter asks her, “Okay, you go to MY ROOM”.

THE CHIEF JUSTICE THOUGHT THAT THE GRAND MASTER WOULD HAVE THE BEST ROOM BECAUSE HE DOESN'T SMOKE, DRINK AND LEAD A STRAIGHT LIFE!

MR. NGIRAKLSONG ENJOYED THAT NIGHT OF JOKES THAT HE GAVE ROBERTO $5.00 TIP, AND 2 GLASSES OF RED WINE.

HE ALSO LIKES THE STORY OF ROBERTO WHEN MARGIE HAS OFFERED HIM A DRINK AND ROBERTO GOT A SHOT OF COGNAC. ROBERTO TOLD MARGIE A FEW DAYS LATER THAT COGNAC MADE ROBERTO TO HAVE SEX APPETITE!

When Roberto was given by Chief Justice the 2nd glass of red wine,  CJ jokingly asked, "Are you sure you don't want a cognac?"

Chief Justice Ngiraklsong became a chess addict when he was studying Law in the USA. When his grades deteriorated because he's not focus on studies, he was advised to totally stopped playing chess. Which he did but he regrets it today (the total stopping). He said he should stop but should have give a little time to enjoy it even once in a while.

He also likes Greek music. Roberto mentioned to him 2 years ago that he played music at Khayam Taverna (Greek Restaurant) in Bahrain for 2 years and 3 months (Jan. 1987- April 1989). CJ had seen the movie "Zorba, the Greek" and explained to Roberto how he loved the song and the story of the movie.

On Dec. 15, 2014, Roberto met CJ at Waves Restaurant when he is about to go to the rest room after playing piano. CJ said that the annex building of the Supreme Court is about to be finished in April 2015. He invited Roberto to perform again there.

In one of their conversation 2 years ago, Roberto mentioned to CJ that he played in his inauguration as Palau Chief Justice at Judicial Building on Dec. 02, 1992. He was surprised at said, "Oh! That was a long time ago!"

http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2014/11/chess-jokes-part-5-f-o-r-d-u-l-t-s-o-n.html

There's another twist in this story that I didn't know yet. CJ mentioned that when Margie said that words, her son Tim, is beside her and said to her, "You just proposed to the judge!"

I was able to ask Chief Justice Arthur Ngiraklsong for a photo during the farewell party of Taiwan Embassy Minister Joseph Ma. His invitation for me to play in the inauguration of 2 new buildings at the Supreme Court didn't push through as the construction was delayed by more than 2 months.                    (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

http://palau-chess.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/1044-music-and-me-july-02-2015-taiwan.html

CJ asked me to get some food and drink but his assistant and a lady do it for me. They bring me a plate each of food that were served and 2 sodas. I didn't eat it and instead wrapped it to give to my wife Flor and I will eat at PRR's cafeteria as there is still time to make it before 1:30pm (closing time of canteen).

I'm finished playing at 12:30 and they asked me that my check of $75.00 (3 hours) will be given on Monday morning.

I proceeded to my wife and gave her all the food and 2 sodas and I returned to PRR and have lunch. An hour later, they called me again and said I can pick the check up before they close at 4pm so I go back there and get my check.

Bank of Hawaii is still open till 5pm on Fridays so I started to fall in line (long line) of depositors. I remember that I can deposit check at the ATM without falling in line. I asked for assistance of a lady there and she helps me deposit the check and I save a lot of time and was able to buy the sale drill set at Mason's Hardware for $21.97; Airtime for my cellphone --$8.60; oranges, apples and bananas --$3.41.     

 

 





Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
             Tia Belau Newspaper
             December 29, 2002 -- December 31, 2016

             Music and Me by Roberto Hernandez
             Tia Belau Newspaper
             March 15, 2012 -- April 18, 2013
             http://palau-chess.blogspot.com
             April 25, 2013 -- December 31, 2016

             Chess and Music (Perfect Combination)
             The Beginning of Chess in Palau
             By Roberto Hernandez
             Soon to be published as a book
     

  

 
 

 

(952) MUSIC AND ME (May 14, 2015) ANOTHER VERY NICE JAPANESECOUPLE AT BREEZE BAR (Mr. and Mrs. Yusuke Ota)

MR. AND MRS. YUSUKE OTA ENJOYED MY MUSIC AND MY STORIES
     They've been regular guests at Waves Restaurant from May 03-05, 2015. During their last night in Palau, they sat near the keyboard where Roberto is playing from 9-11pm. They enjoyed the night of music (Japanese and American songs) and Roberto's stories about Palau and Japan.
                                                    (Photo by Roberto Hernandez) 



   ANOTHER VERY NICE JAPANESE   
          COUPLE AT BREEZE BAR
            (Mr. and Mrs. Yusuke Ota)

On May 03, 2015, I watched the mega fight between American Floyd Mayweather and Filipino Manny Pacquiao at the lounge of Palau Royal Resort after attending the church services at Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ in the 4th Watch (Palau Locale).

The place is packed with co-employees. I have to watch 20 feet from the TV (near the water dispenser). My heart is pounding very much because of excitement. And because I drank a cup of coffee during breakfast. I drink coffee only once a week (Sunday morning) so that I will not be sleepy during church services. I'll make it sure that I will not drink coffee on May 10, 2015, the Opening Day of 2015 Palau Blitz Chess Championship.

When I submitted my chess article at Tia Belau office, I saw the Editor Kambes Kesolei, who said to me, "so, all Filipinos now are crying." He also watched the Mayweather-Pacquiao match. Arturo, the Graphics Designer, said the Kambes is also cheering for Paquiao.

After playing 2 hours of piano music at Waves Restaurant of Palau Royal Resort, I proceed at Breeze Bar for another 2 hours of keyboard music.

I saw a Japanese couple which are familiar to me... yes, it was Mr. Higuchi Yoshitomo and Ms. Fujiura Toshie. They're back. The last time I saw Ms. Toshie is Christmas season and we have some photos near the Christmas tree.

As usual, like as seen on the table, Mr. Higuchi offered me a red win again.

 On May 04, 2015, Ms. Toshie shook my hand and I said to her, "the last time I saw you is during Christmas season. There is a big Christmas tree near the coconut tree." She nodded and smiled upon knowing that I still remember her.

Mr. Higuchi gave me another glass of red wine for 2 straight night. He also said that the next time they will be in Palau is February 2016. 

While I'm playing "Let It Be" and "Imagine", there is a Japanese guy on a wheelchair that is singing with my playing. He knows the lyrics of those songs. 

I approached him and gave him my card. He felt very much welcome and continue singing with me although some lyrics that he don't know, he is "eating" the words as we used to say to those singers that forgot the lyrics of the songs they are singing.

When Mr. Higuchi is paying for his bill and they have some 'take out' drinks, he offered me another glass of red wine but I refused because the Japanese guy on a wheelchair said he will buy me a glass of red wine. He can't believe that the guy on the wheelchair is Japanese. Then we started singing Japanese songs.

But I think he's not financially well as he take a sip of my red wine while I'm busy playing songs. I saw him take a sip through the corner of my eyes.

He's gone for a few minutes to get his business card. His name is Koji Watanabe. He said he is Human Resources Manager in Japan. We have a photo taken...

It's a humid night and I'm perspiring a lot for singing almost all the songs that I've played. The promised red wine of Koji didn't come.

The next day, (May 05), the regular Japanese couple had dinner again at Waves Restaurant. I'm surprised that they sit at a table at Breeze Bar near me.

I get my Japanese songs and American songs songbook and said to them, "Requesto daijobu. Kore wa Japanese songs, kore wa American songs." It means, it's okay to request songs. This is Japanese songs and this one is American songs.

They are surprised that I can sing Japanese songs very well. The guy's first request is American song "Top of The World" by The Carpenters. I alternately plays Japanese songs and American songs.

The guy offered me a drink and a said, "Red wine". It's now 3 nights in a row that I've got red wine from guests.

The 2nd request by the guy is "Yesterday Once More" by The Carpenters again. They are also surprised that I'm singing their requested songs without looking at the song books.

When it's 11pm, I said to them that I have to stop playing as guests are already sleeping at that time. I talk to them instead which they enjoyed more upon knowing that I've been to Japan in 1982 in Kagoshima City as band member.

I also mentioned to them about my going to Australia, Russia, Istanbul, Turkey and Norway to represent Palau in Oceania Zonal Chess Championship and World Chess Olympiads in which I told them that Palau will vote for Tokyo, Japan when they bid to host the 2020 World Chess Olympiad. The last 8 Chess Olympiads have been been held in Europe which is 32 hours to fly from Palau.

I also told them that Japan had its first International Master during the Tromso, Norway Chess Olympiad in Mr. Ikeda and that the world's no. 3 player now is Hikaru Nakamura.

They enjoyed my story about the crying Japanese...        


  

MUSIC AND ME

Tia Belau Volume 21  Issue 14 March 22, 2012

Music Experience of Roberto Hernandez

PART 1 (The Crying Japanese Guy)

About 7 meters from my right, is where a generous Japanese guy sat and have dinner. He gave me $100.00 tip for making him cry with the song "Kawa No Nagareno Yo Ni" and "Subaru" in 2008.

            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! 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 spent it yet. 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.

            A MUSICIAN CAN’T PLAY OR SING WITH EXPRESSION IF HE/SHE DOESN’T MEMORIZED YET THE MELODY/ LYRICS OF A SONG.   HIS/HER ATTENTION WILL BE DIVIDED BY LOOKING AT THE NOTES/LYRICS.

            In this case, I’ve memorized the melody of those 2 songs. The funny thing is … I can sing also those 2 songs but I don’t know the meaning of the song. When I say the words “Imi, wakaranai” to Japanese guests, they will laugh upon realizing the fact “how can you sing a song so good if you don’t know the meaning of what you are singing?”

            THAT’S ONE OF THE MAGICAL ASPECTS OF MUSIC!



Source: Music and Me by Roberto Hernandez
            Tia Belau Newspaper
            Pages 8-9
            Volume 21
            Issue 14
            March 22, 2012
           

 

After almost an hour of enjoyable sharing of stories, they said goodbye with the guy, who gave me his card, (Mr. Yusuke Ota), shake my hand with $20.00 in his palm given to me as tip.

I asked them to check this website in a week and I will surely feature them. HERE IT IS!!!

  Sources: Music and Me
                   By Roberto Hernandez
                   May 2015

                  Chess and Music (Perfect Combination)
                  The Beginning of Chess in Palau
                  By Roberto Hernandez
                  June 09, 2002 -- May 14, 2015
                  To be published as a book in the future