(1566) MUSIC AND ME-328 (July 26, 2018) $70.00 TIP FROM A JAPANESE FAMILY AND PALAUAN BIRTHDAY CELEBRANT

$70.00 TIP FROM A

JAPANESE FAMILY and

Palauan Birthday Celebrant

This Japanese family enjoyed the food and music at the Waves Restaurant of Palau Royal Resort and proceed at the Breeze Bar and enjoyed more Japanese and international music with me for another 2 hours. The lady at left gave me an additional $20.00 tip after I've got $40.00 from them at Waves Restaurant. Their mom, enjoyed also the music and I made her cry with my rendition of old Japanese and American songs. She hugged me tightly when these photos were taken.

In July 25, 2018, while I was playing piano at Waves Restaurant of Palau Royal Resort, I didn't know that the family at the right hand corner of the restaurant are Japanese. Then, a Japanese girl is watching me play. To test her nationality, I played the Sukiyaki song and she sings with me to the lyrics to the amazement of her father. Only then that I realized that they are Japanese. I gave the girl my card and she showed it to her family members. I can see some of them take a very good look at the card because it has my name written in Russian, English and Japanese.

I told this Japanese family that I've been to Japan in April 04-Sept. 28, 1982 in Hayashida Hotel at Kagoshima City. Because of strong internet connection now in Palau since Dec. 7, 2017, they were able to search the Hayashida Hotel and found out that it's not existing anymore. They also search the song "Anak" by Freddie Aguilar, whom I said to them that he always sing the original version of "Anak" wherever he goes as the original is always the best. I mentioned to them that it was recorded in many languages like Japanese, Italian, English, Korean, etc. They search again the "Anak" and learned the meaning of its lyrics in Japanese. They requested me to sing it in Tagalog and I sang it with expression that made their mother cry.

A boy from the Japanese family looked at my Japanese song book and he requested "Roppongi Rarabai" and I asked him if he can sing it. And he did! It's my first time to hear a Japanese singing that song. The chorus of the song is so good that I can play with expression on that part.

There is a Palauan birthday celebrant close to their table and the staff sang Happy Birthday To You song with me playing the piano enthusiastically and at the end of that song, I played the upbeat Japanese song "Chako No Kaigan Monogatari".

Later, a Palauan guy gave me $10.00 tips all in 1 dollar bill.

Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
               Tia Belau Newspaper
               December 29, 2002 -- September 03, 2018

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

               Music and Me by Roberto Hernandez
               Tia Belau Newspaper
               March 15, 2012 -- April 18, 2013
               http://palau-chess.blogspot.com
               April 25, 2013 -- September 03, 2018

              The History of Chess in Palau
              By Roberto Hernandez
              June 09, 2002 -- September 03, 2018

(1529) MUSIC AND ME (April 19, 2018) WHO CAN BEAT THIS? -Japanese Lady Singing "Subaru" and 4 American/Russian Couples DANCED!

WHO CAN BEAT THIS?
Japanese Lady Singing "Subaru"
and 4 American/Russian 
Couples Danced!

TWO young Japanese ladies and their grandpa came at Breeze Bar of Palau Royal Resort in April 17, 2018. There are already a group of 10 American/Russians next to their table. 

My first song for the Japanese is "Yume No Tochu" as the large group is not listening to my music.

I notice that they like Japanese songs so I give them my songbook of Japanese and American popular songs to Japanese.

The Japanese lady at left went back to their room and when she come back, she gave me $20.00 tip. I think they don't have cash so she get from their room. What I don't like is when she put her glass of drink on top of the keyboard. I remember in 1988 at Khayam Taverna (Greek Restaurant in Bahrain, where I played Greek/Arabic music with my partner from Cyprus Antonis Sergiou) where a guest accidentally pour his white wine on the keyboard that I am playing and it got defective.

They gave me also a glass of red wine. I sang Yesterday, Tsugunai, Wakaretemo Sukinahito, Kawa No Nagareno Yo Ni, and the very hard song "Tsunami", where both of the ladies sang with me.

After every song, both of them is giving me high fives, which I haven't experienced from Japanese ladies.

 When this lady at my left sang "Subaru", the 4 American/Russian couples danced!
   It's a wonderful and first time experience for me to see Americans/Europeans dancing to a Japanese sing-along music (live!) And she is singing it without looking at my songbook. I know by heart only 70% of the song.

If I had the chance to video that moment, it should have been a wonderful and touching moment.

We continue singing more Japanese songs -- Ihoujin, Kampai, Sukiyaki (Ueo mu ite) and Love is Over. When she sing "For You", I sing with her to make my diction better because that song is the most popular Japanese song in the Philippines that everywhere I go (weddings, reunions, karaoke bars), that song is always requested--in Japanese.

Another high five after that song.



At 11:00 pm, I stopped playing music and while I am securing the keyboard, the 2 Japanese ladies gave me more high fives. I gave them also my card.



Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
               Tia Belau Newspaper
               December 29, 2002--May 30, 2018

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

               Music and Me by Roberto Hernandez
               Tia Belau Newspaper
               March 15, 2012 -- April 18, 2013
               http://palau-chess.blogspot.com
               April 25, 2013 -- May 30, 2018

               The History of Chess in Palau
               By Roberto Hernandez
               June 09, 2002--May 30, 2018

(1512) MUSIC AND ME (March 08, 2018) SATISFYING JAPANESE AND CHINESE GUESTS (TIPS--$10.00 & $35.00 RESPECTIVELY)

On March 06, 2018, there is a big group of Japanese guests at the right side of the piano. I started playing Japanese songs for them. One of the ladies requested some Japanese songs and sang some part of "Sukiyaki Song".


     SATISFYING JAPANESE AND
   CHINESE/TAIWANESE GUESTS
   ($10.00 TIPS FROM JAPANESE;
     $35.00 TIPS FROM CHINESE)

One of the Chinese old ladies requested me to play Chinese/Taiwanese songs but I ignored her because they are all busy with loud talking.

A tall and younger looking Japanese lady gave me $10.00 tip and put it on top of the piano. Some staff saw it.

When the Japanese group left, that's the time that I played all Taiwanese/Chinese songs this time. The Chinese group are now listening to my music, especially the old lady who requested me to play Chinese songs earlier. Maybe she realized that I didn't play her request because they are busy with loud talking and the Japanese group were applauding to my Japanese songs rendition.

Tips started to pour on top of the piano --$5.00, $10.00 (3) and there is some jealousy again with the staff as they saw $45.00 total amount of tip on top of the piano.

Before playing Taiwanese/Chinese songs, I took some photos of the group which also took some photos with me.

Two of the waitresses hinted that they like me to keep the $40.00 and the $5.00 to them. I just ignore it. They have their own tips split among them twice a month.


I proceed to Breeze Bar to play another 2 hours of keyboard music. The regular Chinese group is there again. They usually paid their bill in cash (all in $5.00 bills). Their tips to me is also in $5.00 bill. I've got $15.00 tips from them that night so the total for the night is $60.00.

(1322) MUSIC AND ME (Oct. 20, 2016) EMBARRASING -- NOT KNOWING THEIR NAMES

GENEROUS AND THOUGHTFUL JAPANESE GUY
     In Sept. 24, 2016, the Japanese guy in the middle gave me a glass of red wine and a whole bottle of Japanese whiskey. He previously gave me Japanese paper lantern (2), $20.00 tip, 2 raincoats but since that time, I never ask for his name. It's one of the embarrassing traits that I need to improve in the coming New Year 2017. But maybe by not knowing their names, it becomes more 'mysterious' in as far as friendship is concerned.
                            (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)


                   EMBARRASSING -- 
     NOT KNOWING THEIR NAMES 

MANY TIMES it happened to me that those guests that has been satisfied with my music, I have forgotten to ask for their names -- the lone, old Japanese guy who gave me $100.00 tip twice in March 2008, the Japanese lady who gave me also $100.00 and Asahi beer, that plays "Tennessee Waltz" and Filipino song "Dahil Sa Iyo"; and the lone Japanese guy who tested my repertoire of songs and always request "To Love Again" or its classical version "Nocturne".

The Japanese guy in this photo has been featured already in the 867th post of this blogsite:

SITTING 2ND FROM LEFT
    The old Japanese guy sitting 2nd from left was 'nicknamed' BAKA (Fool) by the Japanese guy standing at left. Roberto Hernandez, standing right, suggested to call him SUKEBE (Horny) after he showed interest to the lone lady with tattoo, sitting 2nd from right.  (Photo by Roberto Hernandez - Taken by Jovy Rodriguez)



              JAPANESE BAKA (FOOL)
              AND SUKEBE (HORNY)

Many times I have guests that know me but I know them only by face. That's why if there is a chance, I ask for their names and write it so that I will not forget their names. 

It happens again in Sept. 29, 2014 when I tall Japanese guy, with 2 older Japanese guys with him and later joined by a younger Japanese lady at Breeze Bar of Palau Royal Resort.

The tall guy recognized me right away. He's been to Palau many times. When I started to play all-Japanese songs, one of the older guys requested "Sukiyaki" or "Ueo Muite Aruko o ".

Sukiyaki Song is more popular to others especially in America where it has an English version.

They want me to play it not in swing tempo but the tempo in their cell phone's version of "Sukiyaki". 

After listening to it, I've got it as the same beat as "Alii Mountain", the dance-able Taiwanese song.

When I played it in that beat, they applauded and enjoyed my own instrumental version. Sometimes I sing with it when I know the lyrics (about 85%).

Their enjoyment got a twist when a beautiful, young Asian lady come to the bar and order a cocktail drink. She sits by herself next to the table of the 4 Japanese. They became 4 when they called the lady in her room (Palau Royal Resort).

While she is ordering cocktail, everybody noticed that she's got tattoo on the lower part of her right shoulder. The old guy, 2nd from left sitting at the photo, can't help himself to stare at the lady.

When her drink is almost finished, he offered the lady with tattoo another cocktail. The lady appreciated it and accepted the offer. I'm not sure if it's the same drink or different but the color is the same.

I continued to play all-Japanese songs. I have given them the Japanese and American songs songbook. The tattooed lady didn't sing along with my playing so I don't know if she is Japanese, Taiwanese, Palauan, Korean or Chinese.

At 11:00 pm, I stopped playing and before securing the keyboard and other music stuff, I asked the tattooed lady if we can have photo with the Japanese group. She sits next to the Japanese guy that gave her a drink and Jovy Rodriguez, the bartender, took the shot.

I asked the 2 Japanese guys with cellphones to ready their cellphones' camera for another shot with the tattooed lady.  

It takes long time for the 2 guys to set it on photo mode because it's on video mode.

The guy who gave the tattooed lady a drink sat next to her with his arm around the shoulder of the lady. After a few more minutes, the tattooed lady left. Before the group left, they said they will be back again there tomorrow and the tall guy gave me $10.00 tip.

True to their words, they came back again the next day. The guy who gave the tattooed lady a drink became the subject of teasing. The tall guy gave him a nicknamed "baka" (fool) but I added "sukebe" (horny) which everybody having a good time calling him that names.

They had another good time till 11pm. The other old guy promised me to send CD of Japanese songs that they like me to learn. I added in their list the "Tsunami" because I haven't heard that song yet from its original singers -- The Southern All-Stars, sung also the most popular Japanese song in my repertoire --Itoshino Elly, the Japanese version of "Elly My Love" by Ray Charles.

The next day, they have dinner at Waves Restaurant. They signal that they will go at Breeze Bar after their dinner. They did go earlier than me.

At 9pm, when I go to Breeze Bar, there are some Taiwanese that sit at the table where they used to sit. They sit near the railing and ocean.

It's a quiet night. There's no laughter and teasing of "baka" and "sukebe".

Before they go home, the tall guy gave me $20.00 this time and said, "See you again, next year."

HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN, NEXT YEAR!

SAYONARA!

MATTA NE!

ARIGATOU GOZAIMASU!




Source: Chess and Music (Perfect Combination)
               The Beginning of Chess in Palau
               By Roberto Hernandez
               September 2014
              To be published as a book in the future
               

  



When that Japanese guy gave me the 2 paper lanterns and 2 bright orange colored raincoats, he met a Japanese mother and daughter where the daughter asked for my permission to use the keyboard and set it in piano mode...

Since he talk to them and invited them to their table, he's not listening to my music anymore.

After I finished at 11pm, I go to their table where the mother and daughter already left, and ask, "Where is your "Baka" and "Sukebe" friend?"
That question elicit a smile from him. He knows I still remember those 2 funny Japanese words.

Sources: Music and Me by Roberto Hernandez
              Tia Belau Newspaper
              March 15, 2012 -- April 18, 2013
             http://palau-chess.blogspot.com
             April 25, 2013 -- December 28, 2016

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

 

(1084) MUSIC AND ME (Sept. 17, 2015) VIETNAMESE COUNSELLOR VISITS PALAU ROYAL RESORT TWICE IN 2013 AND 2015

SHE THOUGHT "SUKIYAKI" IS KOREAN SONG
     The Counselor of the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in Philippines, Ms. Tran Thi Nam Phuong, middle, has visited Palau Royal Resort twice in 2013 and recently this time with her son. Roberto thought she is Chinese and played Chinese songs. When she's not receptive, he played "Sukiyaki", she appreciated it. Roberto asked her, "Are you Japanese?" When she said she's Vietnamese, Roberto didn't let go not to have a picture taken with them for meeting Vietnamese in Palau for the first time.
                                               (Photo by Roberto Hernandez) 


VIETNAMESE COUNSELOR VISITS
  PALAU TWICE IN 2013 AND 2015

ON AUGUST 20, 2015, as I was playing piano at Waves Restaurant of Palau Royal Resort, a Chinese/Japanese looking lady is watching me play.

When I play Chinese song, there's no reaction from her. When I play "Sukiyaki", she likes it and asked for the title of it. I said it's a Japanese song called "Sukiyaki" and I asked back, "Are you Japanese?"

When she said, she is Vietnamese, my "pattern" in recognizing Chinese/Taiwanese or Japanese was not applied because she's not at the table for me to see if she has drinks or not. My "pattern" then is if there are drinks on their table, they are Japanese. If only water, they are Chinese or Taiwanese.

She also mentioned that she's been to Palau Royal Resort in 2013 and she saw me playing piano at that time.

I gave her my card and she gave me her card, too. She is with her son and she asked him to take a picture of us. I asked a PRR staff to take a picture of us.

She requested an encore of Sukiyaki and recorded it in her cellphone. She also said that she is working in the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in Philippines at 670 Pablo Ocampo St. Malate, Manila, Philippines. And that they are going back to Philippines on the next day (Friday, August 21, 2015 via United Airlines which flies twice a week flights to Manila (Tue. and Fri. both in the evening).

Unlike in 1992, when I first arrived in Palau, the Continental Airlines arrival time in Palau is 1:30pm. I can see the beauty of Palau from the window of the plane. Today, all flights from Manila, Guam, Japan, Taiwan and Korea are night time. Tourists from these countries can't enjoy anymore the beauty of Palau from above. 

Two days later, when I check my Facebook account, our photo was posted with her Vietnamese caption. When I used the translator, it is said there that Sukiyaki is Korean song.

In just a day, there are more than 40 likes of the post which are mostly Vietnamese friends of Ms. Phuong.



Source: 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 15, 2012 -- April 2013
              http://palau-chess.blogspot.com
              April 2013 -- September 17, 2015)