July 8 - 14, 1961

July 8 - Saturday


This am I went to the ANC. Nena, Marina, Conchita and Luli were there, also Cosme. I ate lunch with Nena and then we went to the airport to see Marilou Prieto and Maribel off. We missed them both. Everybody was there. I was so surprised to meet Nellie Lichauco and her mother. Nellie looks wonderful and oh so pretty. She tells me Loretta is coming in a few weeks. They’re here on vacation. Then Conchita, Lita, Luli and I went to the Polo Club. There we met Linggoy, Ginny, Vicky Aguirre, Annie Paradise, Lorraine and Ginny Andrews. Incidentally Ginny looks so pretty now and she’s so changed. Much prettier than Lorraine in my opinion though Lorraine still hasn’t lost the beauty of those fabulous eyes of hers! I saw Sylvia Lichauco (Oh Sylvia – little did I know that years later she would marry the man who gave me my first real kiss.) and Nellie again. We spent half the time with Vicky Pertierra. She showed us the stables and such beautiful horses. Luis Pertierra was also there. Another person with very attractive eyes. Vicky is getting to be so pretty too. She looked so smart in her riding habit. After we went to Dairy Queen to buy ice cream and back home. I met many people I hadn’t seen in a long time.



July 9 - Sunday

It’s been a beautiful day. The sky was the burning blue, the sun wasn’t so hot and there was a nice breeze blowing. I went to the Second Sunday Mass at school and received Holy Communion. We had the Induction of the officers of the Sodality. I went back home, dressed and then went to the ANC while Mommy went to Mass. Lita, Conchita, Luli and Marina were there. I ate lunch at home and then I went back to the ANC. The same people were there except Marina. We sat in the swimming pool. Luli, Lita and Conchita went swimming while I sat on the benches, watched the sky and trees and listened to the radio. It was a beautiful afternoon and everything was wonderful - God’s in His Heaven and all’s right with the world. Then Cosme and Mercy arrived. Mercy went with Margie to Butch Lacson’s party yesterday. She said it was real fun. Then came the startling news - Conchita, Lita, Luli etc. are going to have a surprise party for me on Saturday since its my birthday on the 16th. It slipped out of Conchita and Cosme. I am so happy. They’re wonderful. I hope everything turns out ok. Cosme is so good and Mercy doesn’t seem to care about him. So she says.



July 10 - Monday

I got 100 in my quiz in Religion and my Physics homework was all right. This morning at 10 AM we had this choral group from Texas come sing for us. These were about 5 girls and 10 boys. They sang beautifully and this Negro who made a narration about the creation of the world was just too lovely for words. The pianist was very attractive and he didn’t stop looking at where us fourth year girls were. Then this Cuban in the group sang “Jamaica Farewell” and I sang along with them just moving my lips and that pianist must have been looking at me because when I later went up to him to get his autograph, he told me - you sang right along with Alfred (the Cuban) when he sang Jamaica Farewell. Well at least someone noticed me. Marina said nobody could miss my blond head in the audience. I was invited by the staffers of The Paulinian this afternoon and we had fun. Also Miss Martinez says I have a part in the play. Do tell! Trouble is I have to stay till 8 pm in school. Dad got angry with me for no good reason at all tonight. I was so mad. I also don’t like English grammar.



July 11 - Tuesday - My Nana’s birthday

What a blue Tuesday. Sister told us this morning to count your blessings instead of looking for the worst in everything but right now. Mommy gave me a pearl necklace and panties today though she says she’s not sure about the dress for my birthday and if I don’t have a dress...well, then what can I wear? I have absolutely nothing to wear! Lita called me up and said we need food for the party and can I bring some. My white high heeled pumps are worn and I need new ones. All these things cost money which we haven’t got. Not that I’m complaining, its just that.....These pimples are really bugging me and Nana’s package with my medicines hasn’t arrived yet and oh heck! I don’t want to be so cranky and selfish but when all the ill luck piles up high, its just.....Dad is so cranky these days and I’ve got exams tomorrow. I couldn’t give my article for The Paulinian on time and Dad shouts at me for no reason at all. I feel like screaming my head off right now. Mercy says Marina, Cos and Nena called. Nena to invite me to her cocktail party on Sunday. I wonder what Cos wanted? (Mommy’s necklace is lovely)



July 12 - Wednesday - Susan Reyes’ birthday

Another school day and 2 exams are over with. Religion and Lit. The officers of the HSA namely Margot, Marilena and I collected money to buy Pepe Pimentel a gift for his performance on July 6th. We got P 42.35! Big deal! Talked with Nena over the phone this noon. I skipped classes this afternoon because I didn’t feel very well. But later Mom and I went to the dressmakers to give the material for my dress and then we went to see “A Man Alone” at the Gaiety starring Ray Miland. Nice picture. Saw coming attraction of “Return to Peyton Place” and it should be good. Parents say we can see it. Talked with Mercy over the phone this pm and she’s excited about the party and I’m not. Dad has a lot of problems these days and he is very nervous thus causing him to be very cranky. Physics exam tomorrow - eeeekkkk!!!

July 13 - Thursday


I gave Susan her gift today. We had Dramatics class with Miss Martinez. My Physics exam was simply unmentionable. Good grief - those miserable problems. Had a little chat with Mrs. Buencamino today. She’s great. I also told Sylvia Reynoso I couldn’t go to her party. This pm Tita Mariane and Mom picked me up and we went to the dressmakers and I tried on my dress for Saturday. If it turns out as nice as it looks I’ll be joyous! M. Pimentel called me up tonight and told me she wants to resign from the HSA because her so called friend Marilena and Alicia were complaining to Sr. Mary Angela that Margot is like this and like that which they have no right to do. Lets see what happens tomorrow. History, Tagalog and English exams tomorrow - KALABASA!!!



July 14 - Friday

This has been D-day, “one of those days” and a complete catastrophe! Because of all that magulu between Margot Pimentel, Marilena Maralit, Alicia G, Sister Mary Angela, Miss Juco, etc. Sister has dissolved the High School Association. I had never wanted anything so bad as to be in that organization. I gave up the presidency to Margot and at least got the VP - all those wonderful days of campaigning, the elections, the Initiation, etc. gone to waste, and all in one second when SMA dissolved it! I cried because I couldn’t help myself. Margot was so mad, furious, that if Sister wasn’t a sister, she would’ve struck her probably. (Whoa!!!) Suzzette Bagaybagayan tried to be a great cheerer-upper of spirits but the gloom remained. I haven’t told Dad yet because I can’t bear to. I’m not even in the Student Council. I wish the HSA is organized again, but only a miracle can do it. What a crazy day. I’m so glad its over.