MY OWN AD AT DRAGON TEI, TEPPAN DRAGON AND DONBURI DRAGON
A
notion to have my own advertisement of my playing times, days and
places for being the pianist of Teppan Dragon and Donburi Dragon, will
only materialize if I will make my own... This is it!
I've
got the keyboard design from an old teaching tool for teaching music to
children. The photo in the middle is the only photo (black and white) I
have with my music partner in the 1994 New Year's Eve Countdown at
Image Restaurant -- Mike Hernandez of Condition Four Band from Guam.
Mike
Hernandez, left, singing Hawaiian song "Baby Blue" during his
performance with Roberto Hernandez, not related, on New Year's Eve
Countdown at Image Restaurant on Dec. 31, 1994.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)
Roberto
knows how to write his name in Japanese character (Katakana) that is
written at the left upper part of the ad. It says there "Roberto"
Pianist at Donburi Dragon from 11:00am-2:00pm at Lunch time and
4:30pm-6:30pm at Dinner time.
He
will then proceed to Teppan Dragon, about a kilometer away from Donburi
Dragon (across Palasia Hotel) to play the Kawai electronic piano there
from 6:30pm-9:30pm every night except Sunday.
The
piano that he is playing at Donburi Dragon is the same piano that he is
playing at Image Restaurant from 1998-2005. The owner/manager of Image
Restaurant Margarita Borja Dalton sold the piano to Dragon Tei
owner/manager Yuriko Cho Irikedamoto.
When
the piano was sold to Ms. Yuriko, Roberto started working there as
musician for 11 months. When Donburi Dragon closed down in Jan. 2007,
the piano was sold to Palau Royal Resort in June 2007 and Roberto start
working there as musician from June 2007 up to present.
SO, WHEREVER THE PIANO GOES, ROBERTO GOES!
The
small photo in the middle is the photo of Roberto's driver's license
while his photo on his work permit is at the right upper part that has
been issued on June 19, 2006 and will expire on June 19, 2008.
Donburi Dragon is open on Sunday but Roberto plays there on Monday-Saturday.
Teppan Dragon is open on Monday - Saturday.
SAVORING A JAPANESE FARE
(and non-stop piano entertainment)
Text and photos by
RAQUEL C. BAGNOL
IF YOU'RE looking for a place to
eat and at the same time give your senses a chance to relax to the wonderful
stains of music from a piano, the right places to go to are Don Buri Dragon
Restaurant, a few meters across Palasia Hotel, and Teppan Dragon at the
Topside.
From
various selection of delectable Japanese cuisine (Don Buri dishes), we sat down
to sample Fry Fish Don, which turned out to be rice placed inside a buri (bowl)
and topped with eggs, onions and crispy-fried fish.
The
order, which came in an average portion, came with Miso soup, enough to fill in
a regular hungry stomach but for an additional dollar, it can be added unto to
make a generous serving.
A
customer feels immediately at home when entering Don Buri and Teppan Dragon.
These restaurants, owned by Yuriko Cho Irikedamoto, (including the Dragon Tei)
are the only places in Palau which offers non-stop playing by pianist Roberto
Hernandez, pianist and disc jockey at the Image Restaurant for the past 13
years.
Hernandez’
repertoire is composed of almost 2,000 songs from different countries –
Japanese, Filipino, Greek, Spanish, Italian, Chamorro, Chinese, French, Arabic,
Palauan and English songs. He makes the customers feel at ease and relate by
playing songs from their countries.
As
an added appeal majority of the customers (Japanese), Hernandez enjoys playing
the most requested songs like Itoshino Elly, Oribia O Kikinagara, Subaru,
Kimito Itsumademo, Kita Sakaba and Tsunami.
He
also plays more than 30 Palauan songs and is gaining popularity with the
locals. His favorite includes Ngesuas, Kaneohe, Odasangel, Omruud A Reng and
Betik Ra Renguk A Lekebil, a beautiful Palauan love song. He also adjusts his
songs to the age bracket of the customers.
The
lounge/piano bar at the Teppan Dragon is an ideal place to relax, chat with
friends or simply enjoy coffee or cocktail. Bartender Freddy Gloria whips up
fantastic cocktails which would fit any mood or occasion at affordable prices.
He whipped up Monkey Magic for me and Ever Green for my buddy and a special
“Blow Job” for us, four layers of different spirits in a jigger with actual
flames on top. You have to sip it in a straw real quick (or else your straw
will melt). This is going to be in the market soon.
Hernandez
plays the piano non-stop at the Don Buri from 11 am to 2 pm and 4:30 to 6:30 pm
on Tuesdays to Saturdays. He plays at the Teppan Dragon from 6:30 to 9:30 pm
every night, except Mondays. RCB
Source: Island Times Newspaper
Billboard Section
Island Flavor Column by Raquel C. Bagnol
Page 13
November 23-29, 2006
During
their early meeting, Roberto asked Ms. Yuriko, "Why is it that all your
Japanese Restaurants have "dragon" in their names? Is it because you
were born on the year of the dragon?"
Yuri san's reply, "YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE WHO GUESSED IT RIGHT!"
A
RARE EXPERIENCE FOR 2 JAPANESE COUPLES
(Facebook Article)
How many people can experience
these: Dragon Tei is short of driver so I picked 4 Japanese guests up at Palau
Plantation Resort. While driving them, I told them that I'm the pianist at
Teppan Dragon.
When we arrived there, I opened the car doors for them, showed
them the poster of me in the bulletin board and lead them to the teppan yaki
table.
While they are eating, I played Japanese songs for them. They had their
dessert and coffee near me.
I gave them my Japanese songbook and they enjoyed
the night singing Japanese songs. When it's time to go home, I drive them back
to PPR.
One of them said, "We have enjoyed this night very much." He
gave me $20.00 tip.
Sources: Chess and Music (Perfect Combination)
The Beginning of Chess in Palau
By Roberto Hernandez
To be published as a book in the future
Music and Me
By Roberto Hernandez
1994-2015
Island Times Newspaper
Billboard Section
Island Flavor Section by Raquel C. Bagnol
Page 13
November 23-29, 2006
