(1052) MUSIC AND ME (July 16, 2015) POTENTIAL EXTRA EARNINGS THROUGH MUSIC

FORMER FIRST LADY ASKED ME TO TEACH HER GRANDSON AGAIN
     Before my 23-day vacation to Philippines in June 02-23, 2015, I met former First Lady Valeria Toribiong, right, on my way back to Palau Royal Resort. She asked me to call her after coming back from vacation so that we can arrange the schedule of the resumption of piano lessons of Ethan Nate Meyar, 2nd from right.
                                         (Photo from Tia Belau Dec. 27, 2010-Jan. 02, 2011 Issue)

        POTENTIAL EXTRA EARNINGS
                 THROUGH MUSIC

WHILE I'm in line at the Bank of Guam on June 02, 2015 cashing my cash prize of $100.00 for finishing 3rd in the 2015 Palau Blitz Chess Championship, the secretary of former Senator Alfonso Diaz informed me that the Senator wants me to record Palauan songs again in his music studio. But this time, he wants me to record the 16 Palau States' songs.

I tell her that I will be having a 23-day vacation in Philippines and when I come back, I will record those songs again live or whatever we decide.

Two weeks before going to Philippines to get Schengen visa for participation in the 2014 World Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway, I recorded 20 Palauan songs with Senator Diaz. He paid me $10.00/ song.

We agreed in principle that he will make only copies of those songs if somebody wants to use it personally. He don't like to make many copies for sale because the piracy is so easy to ruin sales with so little market (20,000 population).

After hearing what a Bishop at Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ (4th Watch) has said, "How can you out-give God?", I started to give 51% of my cash chess prizes to PMCC. I started it with $63.00 donation after finishing 1st runner-up in the 2014-2015 Palau National Chess Championship, winning a trophy and $125.00.

$51.00 was donated when I won $100.00 in the 2015 Palau Blitz Chess Championship and now $31.00 for winning $60.00 and a trophy for finishing 3rd in 2015 Palau Rapid Chess Championship.

Since doing that, God gave me back more than I expected! Not only in terms of tips and additional music students, but also wisdom in everything I do. I'm more at peace at work, at church, with family and friends. I couldn't ask for more.  

A few months ago, while playing piano at Waves Restaurant of Palau Royal Resort, I was approached by a Palauan lady. She asked where can she buy my recording of Palau songs. I told her that we have an agreement with Senator Diaz. She can ask him to record those songs for her for a price. 

On the same day that I was cashing my chess prize, I met the former First Lady Valeria Toribiong at the parking area where they have an office. She asked me to call her to set a date for the resumption of teaching her grandson Ethan piano again. 

I taught Ethan chess and music from 2011 until I participated in the 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey.

After coming back from Olympiad, I taught Ethan 2-3 more times until his grandfather former Palau President Johnson Toribiong was not reelected as president of Palau. That somehow diminish their financial capacity to afford $20.00/hour music and chess lessons. 

A few weeks before my 23-day vacation, I'm having my breakfast at the bench outside Belau Medical Clinic while waiting for the results of my blood sugar test, when I was approached by Petroia Koshiba of Belau National Museum. She asked me if I'm available to teach kids at the Museum in the daytime. I said I'm free in the daytime and gave her my card. I mentioned to her that I've tuned the piano there a few years ago.

She called me at Palau Royal Resort's Dormitory 1 a few days before my vacation. She said when I come back from vacation, we'll talk about teaching kids (maybe by group) at Belau National Museum. I've experienced teaching guitar by group before. The students can save but I can't concentrate on one student. Unlike in individual teachings, students learn faster and more focus on music lessons.

Before Taiwan Embassy Minister Joseph Ma was assigned to California this month, he referred to me the new Counselor of Japan Embassy Koji Tomita to teach his daughter keyboard. Mr. Koji and his wife and daughter will be taking the apartment that Minister Ma is vacating.

A month ago, while shopping fruits at WCTC Shopping Center, I met the mother of my 2 former students in Airai state. She wants me to resume teaching her daughter Aya keyboard again. Her son Otsi (which I remember because I usually take a look at all my former students at 

http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2012/01/34-curriculum-vitae-of-roberto-hernandez.html

Otsi is now in Philippines and a teenager already. I taught Aya and Otsi keyboard from December 2005 - June 2006.

On August 24, 2015, I started to teach piano again to Dichem Tmetchul, the daughter of Senator Mlib Tmetchul and Dixie. It will be thrice a week now-- (Mon. Wed. and Sat.)

The last time I teach Dichem on Wed. Aug. 26, 2015, we have enjoyed one hour of teaching that it passed as if it's only 10 minutes, but for her, it's just like 5 minutes.

Dichem enjoyed and appreciate these words that I told her: "I feel right now that I have planted a tree when I teach you more than a year ago. You grow like that tree and even though I'm not around to continue to 'teach and water' you, you are now bearing fruits and I'm reaping those fruits now because you still remember many of what I taught you."

An amazing thing happened when I teach Dichem on Monday, August 31 at 5:10pm.

I tuned their piano for 2 hours (3-5pm). She came from school at about 4:30. She gave me coconut juice drink and their long-time domestic helper Annabel gave me egg sandwich while waiting for Dichem to finish her snack.

The first song that I teach her is "Puff, The Magic Dragon". While looking for the next song to teach her, she suggested that she will say the first number of the page of the songbook, I will tell the 2nd number and she will say again the 3rd. But the green-colored songbook don't have have pages higher than 130, so she chose page number 65 --"Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" (1973) by Elton John.

It's a very hard song than even me can't play it without looking at the chords. But Dichem insisted to learn it because it was picked by her. She's learned about 92% of the song. The next one is page 269 of the blue notebook, which is "Sharing The Night Together" by Dr. Hook. The problem is the chords is written not from pen but from a pencil that is why she will having a hard time to see it.
We choose another one --"There's a Kind of Hush All Over the World" by Herman's Hermits/Carpenters. It's in the '60's and she asked why there is no year except 196_. I explained to her that I have a songbook with a title of "Songs of the '60's". So all of the songs there are from the decade of the '60's. I know it's from the '60's but I don't know the exact year. SHE'S LEARNED IT ON THE 2ND TIME!

Next is page 210 - "I Don't Want To Talk About It" by Rod Stewart. I suggested to her that we should lower it down to key of G (original is Key of A) to make the chords easier but she prefers the original and she's got it almost perfect on the 3rd time.

We're having a good time till the last one "Leaving On A Jet Plane" by John Denver. She's got it on the 1st try and even put it 2 steps higher.

IT'S MY FIRST TIME TO ENCOUNTER SUCH A DARING MUSIC STUDENT NOT AFRAID TO TRY ANYTHING THAT COMES HER WAY BY DOING THIS RANDOM SELECTION OF SONGS TO BE LEARNED!!!       YOU CONTINUE TO IMPRESS ME, DICHEM.   

 


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
                 Tia Belau Newspaper
                 March 2012 -- April 2013
                 http://palau-chess.blogspot.com
                 April 2013--August 2015

    

 
 

 
    

     

PALAU IS SUFFERING FROM LACK OF INTERNET (By Jeff Barabe)

   
      PALAU IS SUFFERING FROM LACK OF INTERNET 
                                By Jeff Barabe
                         Guest Commentary -- Tia Belau Newspaper
                                                                     Page 7
                                                              July 30, 2015 

           PALAU is slipping further and further into the technological dark ages while the leaders of this land debate the implementation of a fiber optic cable that would provide much needed internet access. Here are my top 12 reasons that Palau needs to implement this as quickly as possible (I was going to make it a top 10 list but it keeps growing).

     1. Speed: The net is growing. In 2004 the average web page required less than 1mb of data to load. Today the same page with all of the video, ads, cookies and back end is more than 5mb. So even if the speed in Palau is 5 times faster than today than in 2004, it still takes longer to load home pages like Facebook, Yahoo, etc. than it did 10 years ago.

     2. Tourism: In a survey by Luxury Traveler magazine, the number one requirement for Palau’s desired “high value” tourists was internet—even over beaches, activities, etc. These tourists need to keep in touch with their office and holdings and many want to video chat with their families. In addition, many high- value travelers are using the Cloud for files and applications that are not yet available in Palau.

     3. Hotels and Tour Operators: Today’s travelers want to see availability, book their travel and get a confirmation on the web. This requires integrated reservation systems that cannot work with Palau’s current internet.

     4: Medicine: Lives can be saved and off islands referrals can be reduced with wi-fi remote doctors and medicine. This reason alone should be enough for the health of this nation’s citizens.

     5. Communications: Facebook, iChat, Viber, Skype, etc. and then upgrading web pages. Palau is unable to communicate with families, friends and customers because of slow internet. Don’t you want to video chat with your son or daughter in the military abroad or your cousin in Oregon?

     6. Computers: Whether you are using Apple or a PC, many of the programs today need to be online to operate. There are also updates and remote access that allow users to get help from abroad. Not available in Palau.

    7. Commerce: How many times are you not able to get cash from ATM or use a credit card? What impact does it have on tourist spending more money in Palau? With no access to money, the economy suffers.

     8. Government: Need to send documents, book travel, use Cloud based operation systems including accounting or integrate Palau’s government operations? Not going to happen without good internet.

     9. Knowledge: Education could benefit greatly from internet. Remote teachers and lecturers, access to the world’s knowledge and just helping to bring our students into the real world.

     10. Media: Want to share Palau’s culture and current events? Without fast internet, we cannot stream radio or TV programs, send news stories internationally or develop a film and television production industry.

     11. Price: Our neighboring islands can get a 10 MB connection for $39.95. In Palau, a 1MB connection cost over $1,000.00. Sure it will take time for the price adjustment to occur but in the long run it will pay off. 

     12. Entertainment: We all just want to watch YouTube videos, movies and have access to music, games, and more. We want to surf the net and have access to the rest of the world.

     Now I realize that if you are in public office, negatives are not the way to get re-elected so here is that positive spin. If Palau obtains real internet then:

     1) Voters have better access to health care and lives are saved.

     2) Voters need fewer off island referrals for medicine.

     3) Voters have better education. 

     4) Voters have more money from high value tourism.

     5) Voters witness more efficient government.

     6) Voters have better communication with family and friends.

     7) Voters have access to global media.

     8) Voters get reduced internet prices.

     9) Voters can get money from the ATM when they need it.

    10) Voters have more to do reducing crime.

    11) Voters have better access to NGO’s and funding.

    12) Voters get to have fun with the internet.

                The citizens of Palau could greatly augment this list but the bottom line is that without being connected to the modern world, we cannot participate. Worried about price, well, Palau has always had two price points, locals and tourists. High value tourists just want access at any price so let them carry a large part of the burden. Leaders of this nation, please help bring Palau into the 21^st century and support a fiber optic cable while we have the chance.

                (Mr. Jeff Barabe is a resident businessman and internet user).

Source: Tia Belau Newspaper

             Guest Commentary Section

             Page 7

            Volume 24

             Issue 61

             July 30, 2015

                                                             By Jose Rodriguez T. Senase

                                                                          Reporter

Palau's chance of having faster internet connectivity by hooking into the one-time SEA-US Cable Consortium appears bleak after the Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK) or the National Legislature, failed to act on the Belau Submarine Cable Bill (BSCC Bill) before the July 31, 2015 deadline.

President Remengesau has stated in a letter to the Senate leadership, that the measure needs to be approved by the aforementioned date for Palau to take advantage of the opportunity.

"MicroPal and the Office of the President are working diligently on the issues with the ADB and SEA-US, however, internally, we, national leaders need to work closely and swiftly to ensure that we do not miss out on the opportunity that will no longer be available after the August 31 deadline." the President said in his July 24, 2015 letter to Senate President Camsek Chin and EPUI Committee Chairman Senator Joel Toribiong.

"ADB has indicated that in order to be in the advanced stage of loan approved and in a position to receive ADB Board approval for the loan in September, then the BSCC bill will need to be signed into law by the end of July 31," he added.

The President said prompt action would have made the opportunity viable.

"I acknowledge that this is a tall order for us national leaders, but I would like to remind you that even if this piece of legislation is signed into law by the end of this month, we, national leaders, will still need to pass another piece of legislation during the course of August in order for the ultimate selection of the SEA-US option for any deposit payment to be made," Remengesau said.

"To summarize by passing the BSCC Bill you will not be giving up any of your political power to further review the SEA-US option during the month of August," he added.

The President said for Palau to secure a place with the SEA-US, the country and FSM will need to make a combined non-refundable deposit payment of $3.2 million, in which Palau will put $1.6 million or 50% of the amount. The deposit payment need to be made by August 31, 2015.

SEA-US is set to imminently begin construction of a state of the art submarine fiber optic cable from Asia to the west coast of the United States (US) via Guam.

The cable between Asia and Guam will pass directly north of Palau and Yap and allow cost-effective and quality individual spurs to connect each territory in the main cable line. 

SEA-US is made up of first rate telecommunications providers--namely Telin (Indonesia), Globe (Philippines), GTA (Guam), Hawaiian Telecom (USA) and RTI International (USA).

They have contracted NEC of Japan to build the entire cable system for SEA-US, which is critical in ensuring best in class engineering and construction.

Remengesau said the MicroPal (Palau) team that he tasked with identifying an appropriate submarine fiber optic cable project has been working diligently with their FSM counterparts on evaluating various options.

He said that after careful deliberation, the MicroPal team has informed both President Christian of FSM and himself that the best option forward to connect Palau and Yap is with the SEA-US Cable Connection.

According to the President, the MicroPal team has been working and negotiating with SEA-US since early April.

Remengesau said that recently they have been given cost information for the capital expenditures (CAPEX) for the SEA-US project and Palau would incur approximately $20 million in CAPEX  for an all-in price including water-based infrastructure, and land-based infrastructure, and even essential spare parts for future use which would reduce expenditures on such parts in the future while ensuring quick repairs to minimize service disruptions.

With lack of action from the Senate EPUI Committee chaired by Senator Joel Toribiong, it is most likely that Palau timetable a have a submarine cable connection for Internet connectivity will be moved for another time at a higher cost to the country and its people.

  

(795) MUSIC AND ME (July 03, 2014) RECORDING 20 PALAUAN SONGS WITH ALFONSO DIAZ

THE FORMER SENATOR IS A MUSIC LOVER
     3-term Palau Senator Alfonso Diaz, right, is a music lover with his own music studio and radio station. Early 2014, he is having a meeting with a Filipino lady at Waves Restaurant when this photo was taken. Before going to Norway for 2014 World Chess Olympiad, Roberto Hernandez, left, recorded 20 Palauan songs in his studio using the Yamaha Digital Grand DGX 220 that Roberto is using at Breeze Bar of PRR.
                                      (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)


  RECORDING 20 PALAUAN SONGS
          WITH ALFONSO DIAZ 

IN 2005, while Roberto Hernandez is playing keyboard at Rose Garden Resort for 11 months, Senator then Alfonso Diaz made a deal with him to record 10 Palauan songs in his music studio. 

He will produce CD out of those 10 songs and will sell it and it will also be used while the Palau Senate is having a session.

Instead of listening to the Palauan songs which has lyrics and sung by young Palauan singers, he said it's better to listen to just instrumental music because new Palauan songs have senseless lyrics and can ruin their sessions.

Senator Diaz said he will pay Roberto $500.00 for 10 songs.
 The following issue of Tia Belau has relative story about this:
     

AIRA JANE TORRES - MY BEST GIRL STUDENT
     At her young age, she can play "Fallin'" by Teri de Sario, "Love is All That Matters" by Eric Carmen, "Open Arms" by Journey, Lambada, Careless Whisper, "Because" by Dave Clark 5 and more than 30 more difficult songs that even an adult can't play or sing. Among her counterpart, Christian 'Shinji' Otsuka is my best boy student.
                                                                                 (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)





     MY MUSIC EXPERIENCE WITH FORMER
       PRESIDENT TOMMY REMENGESAU

On February 10, 2009, former President and now Senator Tommy Remengesau, Jr., were at Breeze Bar with 3 Palauan guys and a Japanese family of 3, who left earlier.

            I played mostly Palauan songs. They are applauding to my music. At 11:00 pm, I announced last song. While I’m securing my keyboard and cords, Tommy called me. He gave me $5.00 tip and we talked for a while about my 17 years working in Palau and only 4 times that I have taken a vacation. We talked also about my daughter’s (Karen) graduation in March 08, 2009 as nurse. His son, Isechal, was a classmate of Karen, who graduated at Mindzenty High School on May 28, 2004.

Exactly 10 years ago (May 28, 2014, Mindzenty High School graduation -2004) when this photo was taken with Isechal Remengesau, middle, and his uncle at Breeze Bar of Palau Royal Resort. Roberto Hernandez, left, asked Isechal to have a photo with him and he will show to his daughter Karen, who was a classmate of him .    (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

            On June 16, 2008, there is a function of Palau Noni Juice at Waves Restaurant. President Tommy Remengesau was the guest speaker and the party had its own entertainment.

 At 9:30, I’m waiting for customers at Breeze Bar. Then, Tommy came by himself still in a light blue suit. He asked me what happened to the proposed recording of my Palauan instrumental songs with Senator Alfonso Diaz. I explained to him that Senator Diaz offered me $500.00 in 2005 to record about 10 Palauan instrumental songs by me in his recording studio using my own keyboard.

Dr. Victor Yano suggested that I should use a grand piano (the one at Airai View Hotel) to make a more classical sound. Senator Diaz said he will talk to Senator Mlib Tmetchul, a close friend of his, about using that piano. But 3 years have gone by and it didn’t materialize.

            While the president is having a drink, the First Lady Debbie and her mother came. I played mostly Palauan songs and they applauded after every song I played. Later, Leilani Reklai joined them.

            At 10:45, I called Assistant F & B Manager Edgar Cayanan about stopping live music at exactly 11:00 pm even though the First Couple are enjoying my music. Edgar said, “To be safe and not to disturb sleeping guests, just announce last 3 songs.”

            The president agreed to my announcement of last 3 songs. I saw him called his bodyguard to get something and when he comes back, he wrote something on a check book. He called me later and while giving me the check, he said, “This is from all of us.”

I said thank you to them and I asked Leilani, “Did you win the Aimilik governorship?” She said she’s crossing her fingers because the counting is still going on and it’s a very close race. The president said, “She won already. That’s why we’re here celebrating.”

            When I go to Dormitory 1 at 11:15, I saw the couple Jiji and Arnie Abad there and that’s the time that I look at the check amount – it’s $20.00. When I cash it the next day, Jiji and Arnie were at the Bank of Hawaii also.

            During my 11-month work as keyboard player at Rose Garden Resort (July 15, 2005- June 23, 2006), President Remengesau gave me tip of $10.00 twice and the last one there was $5.00 on March 16, 2006, the day that he signed the transfer law bill allowing workers to transfer to another company if (1.) The company closed down, (2.) The employer died and 3. The employer goes to jail.

            On November 02, 2000, two days before the Palau presidential election, Vice President then Tommy Remengesau, Jr. and his running mate Senator Allan Seid are having a political party at Image Restaurant where I’ve worked as musician/disc jockey for 13 years. When Senator Seid is about to have a speech, I stopped playing piano and Tommy approached me and said, “Robert, I know that you cannot vote. But maybe you can tell your Palauan friends to vote for me.” And he gave me $20.00.

            When I operate the karaoke at Image Restaurant after playing piano, I always remember the favorite songs of our regular customers. When Tommy sings karaoke, he doesn’t have to tell me what to sing. I know all his favorite karaoke songs like “Imagine” by John Lennon, “She Believes In Me” by Kenny Rogers, Hawaiian songs “Baby Blue” and “Don’t Say Goodbye”, “How Can I Tell Her” by Lobo and even “Let Me Be There” by Olivia Newton-John.

            In 2010 while I’m on my way up to Caroline’s Resort to teach keyboard/guitar to Liam and Gayle Bornovski, I saw Tommy jogging way up to Caroline’s Resort. I stopped for a while and we talk about teaching one of his kid piano.

            It’s just another casual conversation and it didn’t materialize yet. I’m still hoping that it will happen and then I’ll have the rare experience of teaching family members of 2 Palau Presidents (incumbent or former).

Source: Music and Me by Roberto Hernandez
              Tia Belau Newspaper
              Pages 8-9
              Volume 21
              Issue 68
             September 27, 2012

Early in June 2014, Senator Diaz talked to Roberto on the phone about recording 25 Palauan songs using his keyboard. To record it on USB and then record it in his music studio.

He said the songs must not exceed 2 minutes for each song. Roberto was able to record 5 Palau songs using the keyboard USER 1-5 that recorded 5 songs.

The 5 songs are Ngesuas, TNT, Mokedemokebii, Omruud a Reng and Odesangel.

The problem is now how to transfer it USB. The connector is okay with the adjustment but the it needs the disc (Yamaha) to be able to do it.

Roberto asked for help from Jeffrey Balbalosa, his teammate to 2014 World Chess Olympiad in Norway. They tried everything to do it until Roberto tried something --To record it straight from the keyboard to the recording studio of Senator Diaz.

He called him and since Roberto already have the keyboard with him, he proceeded to the new location of Senator Diaz FM Radio Station and music studio.

When they tried to record the recorded 5 Palau songs from keyboard to his amplifier, it works perfectly. It's July 04, 2014 (Friday) at that date and they agreed that Roberto will record another 5 songs and bring it back tomorrow for more recording.

Roberto recorded 5 more songs and when he comes back on Sat. morning, he brought the keyboard with its pedal, stand and adapter. 

After recording those 5 Palau songs, Roberto suggested to record "live" and they were able to finished 20 songs in 2 hours.

They agreed that Roberto will be paid $10.00 per song because it's only 2 minutes for a song instead of the usual 4-5 minutes.

Senator Diaz said he will use those music as background music whenever he is doing his radio program. It will be his property and if anybody wants a copy of that, he will charge them. He don't have plans to produce many copies of it for sale because he knows it's easier to pirate those songs in that way.



He showed Roberto all the places in that 3-storey house/studio/radio station.

When they talk about music, it seems endless conversation. When Roberto mentioned "WHEN YOU LOVE YOUR JOB, IT'S NOT A JOB ANYMORE" he agrees with it.