July 31 - August 6, 1961

July 31 - Monday


Mrs. Buencamino will be teaching us Physics from now on. We had our assembly this afternoon. The Fourth Year - Y got the Outstanding Class banner. We got 4th place! I also got my report card which wasn’t exactly outstanding but Daddy wasn’t mad because the first honor only had 85% as highest. Ruby Pena beat Grace Eusebio at first honors. We had practice for Career Angel. We have lots of fun with Maritoni, Arabella, Maripi, Noni, Carmencita, Margot, Maryann, Baby, Cecilot etc. and Miss Martinez. We told ghost stories and we saw a strange phenomenon in the sky which we don’t know exactly what it was. It looked like 2 stars or (heaven knows what) revolving across the sky. (My first UFO and I was so blase. I saw a similar phenomenon in Spain many years later. I haven’t thought about this until I read this diary again but thinking about it - do those darned things really exist? I can swear I saw them (or it) twice!) I’m dead!!!!



August 1 - Tuesday

Mrs. Buencamino taught us today and at least I understand at last a little bit more of that darned Physics. I saw Nena this afternoon at the ANC. She tells me Inger was here. I called Inger up and we were talking about Butch, Nacho, Marina and herself. She doesn’t like Butch as much anymore and she’s a little afraid of August 15th when Butch gets here. I also told her Marina likes Nacho now and that Cosme likes Mercy. We talked for half an hour. I had practice for Career Angel again today. I stayed up till half past 12 am making a card for Sister. I wanted to call Mercy but her phone was busy. Marina is really crazy over Nacho.



August 2 - Wednesday

We gave Sister her feast day cards and it was also Miss Martinez’s feast day. I didn’t go to school this pm but slept from 1:30 to 5 pm. I had a bad headache and was so sired and sleepy. I went to practice of Career Angel. We had a nice time. Miss Martinez gave us some biscuits and we had soft drinks. There were also some men there who took pictures of us for the papers. I talked with Mercy over the phone tonight and she told me that Mari V said I was ganada because he danced with me. Of all the conceited......!!! The next time I see him I’m going to pretend he doesn’t exist. I’ll admit he’s cute and nice at times but good grief.....those Falcons!



August 3 - Thursday

I got a perfect score in my test in Physics. At least that’s an improvement. Mrs. Buencamino teaches better than Miss Bulan. I called a meeting of the HSA this afternoon. We missed the “Music Appreciation Hour” and the coming movie. Margot Pimentel was absent so we went on without her. Angela V, and Lolita P asked Marina and I to go to the beatnik party at Lolita’s house on August 12. I keep remembering the last beatnik party I went to in Nena’s house. Bill isn’t here anymore. I am also looking forward to the Jazz Concert a La Salle on August 11th. It ought to be pretty interesting. I went home after school, changed then went back to school for practice of Career Angel. We didn’t practice (God! Had I never heard of the word “rehearse”!!) But had a nice time chatting, as always, chatting with Maritoni, Arabella, Lulu, Carmen, Maryann, Noni, etc. - they’re all so very nice. Miss Martinez was absent. I tried to call Mercy this pm but her phone was busy the whole time.



August 4 - Friday

It’s been a dreary day. I did simply awful in my test in History and during Holy Hour I was so sleepy and hot I felt like jumping into a clear cold pool of ice water. We had a Student Council meeting with trial. I came home at 5:30 pm. Borrowed “Gone With the Wind” from the library. I love it! I’d love to play Scarlet O’Hara in a play but unfortunately I haven’t got a 17 inch waist, a fiery temper and good looks. But, I got the green eyes though. I tried to talk to Nena this pm but her father told me she was going out and to see her tomorrow. Nacho told me he’ll be there tomorrow at the ANC. Will Marina flip! Dad was a little upset about the bill from the ANC. Nearly 800 pesos. I nearly died and Daddy did! I’ll never get a thing there again, I swear! What a hot, sticky, humid day. Tomorrow Mass at school and I hope to go to the ANC. PS. Linda Hinkley called to tell me Karen likes Honey. (Who didn’t!)



August 5 - Saturday

What a pleasant day this has been. I went to Mass in school then Marina and I went to the ANC. It was full of teeners including Caloy Valles, the Olbes brothers, Arno (who did a hilarious imitation of the horses (?) on TV), Boy Legarda, Salvador Vaca, Frances Whitaker, the gang of Maryann Ojeda - Leslie, Jessica, Ditas, etc. Nena, Inger, Cosme, Mercy, Nacho, Ramon Faustman, Margotin, Mary Salman, etc. More chismes from Mercy from Margie re Cosme. All those Falcons probably think I’m just dying to have one pay attention to me. Well, for all I care, they can all go suck their little thumbs! If they aren’t men enough to go tell their problems to the person themselves and not go crying to other girls for advice I don’t want any part of them! I went to see “Gone With the Wind” this evening with Mommy. I’m also reading the book. It stars Vivien Leigh as the fiery Scarlet and Clark Gable as Rhett Butler. I’ve never seen a more beautiful motion picture or read a better book. I was really crying at the end!



August 6 - Sunday

Another nice day. I went to Mass at 1 pm at Ermita and then to the ANC. Nena, Inger, Nacho, Jose Luis, etc. were there. Cosme was there too but for me he could have been a zillion miles away. I couldn’t have cared less. I contradicted everything he said and later went telling Mercy about it. We sat in the swimming pool and later the older boys like Bomber Johnson, etc. joined us. They are so simpaticos and friendly. We went to the movies this pm to see “Wild In the Country” with Elvis Presley, Tuesday Weld, and Hope Lang. I didn’t like the picture. We were Nena, Marina, Inger and I with Nacho, Jose Luis, Carlos and Gonzalo and Jose Luis’s girl friend. Later we sat at the canteen at the Rizal Theater and all of a sudden I saw Carlos Garcia!! Boy did he look handsome today with a dark yellow pullover and those mischievous brown eyes of his and that adorable smile....This evening Marina picked me up and went to the ANC for we had a dinner buffet that Lolita P gave to Angela. We had a nice evening. Even Miss Juco was there, then we strolled around the swimming pool. The night was beautiful and the sea swirled around against the rocks and the breeze was cool and refreshing. As I stood looking out on the twinkling lights of Cavite and the boulevard, the soft reflection of the lights of the ships in the harbor and in the water, the salty breeze on my face - I suddenly loved Manila with a new different emotion. I always dream of going abroad but if I go and never come back, it would kill me! (Ah, Manila, the city that branded by soul. I would leave this city and return many times, but never often enough.) I’m too much a part of Manila. I’ve spent 14 years of my life here and a lot of happy and tearful memories are stored up here. I also thought of Bill and how he loved the Bay and the scenery too. I thought of Carlos and Charlie and all the people I like. It was like suddenly realizing that life is very good after all and yet knowing that it has been a little empty. How I wish I could find a boy who likes me for me, just even a little bit. Every girl in the gang can recall some happy innocent romance but me. Well, like the song goes....”I know that someday.....”