June 29 - July 7, 1961

June 29 - Thursday


Mass at the Pauls church this morning. Went to Confession and then Mercy, Chiqui, Albert and I came home for a minute. I went to the ANC and Cosme, Agustin, Arno, Mitch, Marina, Conchita, etc. were there. Ate lunch with Marina, Mom, Mercy and Arno. Arno was very attentive to us. Mercy saw Mari Valles’ pop this afternoon and when she greeted him, she blushed red as a beet. Talked with Nena over the phone. Retreat this afternoon. I feel very depressed.



June 30 - Friday

I woke up early this am at about 5 am and it was really pouring, the wind was terrific so I shut off my alarm clock thinking it would be too stormy to go to school. I woke up again at 7:30 and it wasn’t raining but too late to go to school. I felt guilty about it. I just said the rosary , read “The Robe” and made a little case for my rosary. I also cleaned my medal, the one Abuelita gave me. It’s beautiful. I wish I could have it gold plated. I was tempted to look at a magazine and read the newspaper, so I guess its pretty hard to make a good retreat at home with all these distractions. Tomorrow I’ll go to school no matter what! By reading my prayer book this evening I’ve found out that we’re not the saints we think we are. “The Robe” is a beautiful story. Now I am trying to get “The Greatest Story Ever Told” by Fulton Ousler. It’s all about the story of Christ. I feel a little scared this evening. Maybe it’s the windy, rainy, dreary evening?



July 1 - Saturday

I went to school this morning. I don’t know why but I get so restless in school and this certainly hasn’t been the best retreat I’ve made. I’ve broken the rule of silence and of reading some magazines and newspapers other than religious books. I haven’t listened to the radio nor looked at TV, though. Last year, I didn’t mind having the retreat at all, even if everyone else was having a fine 8 days of vacation but this year its really bugging me, well, not that much, but I hope God isn’t too displeased with me. Mom and Pop haven’t eaten dinner at home so I ate alone. Remembered my dog Benny tonight - silly of me but she was just a great little dog. I remember Bill singing Elvis’ songs about a dog - “Old Shep” (snif, snif). He hasn’t written. Not that I really expect him to but one can dream can’t one? Butch Catala is supposed to arrive sometime this month but I don’t know when. Tomorrow is the last day of the Retreat.



July 2 - Sunday

I was so restless the whole day at school. I was giggling and talking half the time and this Retreat hasn’t exactly been perfect. I borrowed Sister Milagros’ book on the 4 Temperaments. After school, I went with Mommy to see “The Alamo”. One of the best motion pictures I have seen in a long time. Cast as follows: David Crocket - that very sympatico and great actor, John Wayne, Jim Bowie - Richard Widmark, who was simply great, Col. Travis - Lawrence Harvey - superb acting. General Houston - Richard Boone. He had a short role but what he had to say was memorable. Linda Cristal also starred. I cried several times. Frankie Avalon wasn’t so bad. It was worth the P2.50! (What’s that the equivalent of today? Like, ten cents?!) Not a kiss in the whole picture and the music was fabulous! My hat to John Wayne who produced and directed the picture as well as starred in it. Cosme was right - it was a truly memorable motion picture.



July 3 - Monday

After the Mass at school this morning we had the practice for the presentation of officers. Then Marina and I went to the ANC. Nena, Lita, Cosme and Conchita were there. Before these people arrived Marina went with Nacho, Carlos, Gonzalo to the Taza de Oro for breakfast. Nena came to the ANC later. I was telling Cosme about the movie (The Alamo) and how nice it was. Maribel Franco was there too. I was telling her about Bill and Nena about her Mike. Mercy ate lunch with me and then we went to the Casino to play bowling. Mercy and Cosme, Chiqui and Margie were partners. I felt a little left out so I did not play. Also, my bowling is as bad as my tennis. (I may have sucked at this bowling stuff but I could do one thing the rest of the girls in my group couldn’t do, (athletically) and that is dive off the high diving board of the ANC pool. I was so proud of that and that’s thanks to my dad who taught me how.)



July 4 - Tuesday - Happy Independence Day!!

Mercy calls me this am to tell me that Cosme asked her to go steady! She was quite desperate because she says she doesn’t want to. I just told her to do what she thinks is best. Went to the ANC. Mommy gave me the sweetest blouse to wear since she can’t use it. She also lent me her new brown leather bag. Everybody except Cos, Mercy, Lita Conchita and Luli were there. I ate lunch with Nena. Maribel came later and Karen and Linda Hinkley. Nena left on a date. Maribel went to a movie. Leslie Suter is going steady with this Ramon something or other. Mitch Schlachterman was there with George Gallent. He’s very attractive I ended up playing doubles with his brother Yan who is very nice. My ping-pong wasn’t so bad either. I thought a lot about Bill today but I don’t know why I waste the energy. He’s forgotten completely there’s such a person as Lea.



July 5 - Wednesday

We practiced singing for the Presentation of Officers tomorrow. We didn’t do as well but we weren’t bad either. I got a very, very low grade in my Religion test - my grade is unmentionable. I was needling Marina needlessly today and Margot let me read a short story she wrote which strangely enough resembles my life. In the story, the girl falls in love with this boy who doesn’t even know she’s alive in the romantic sense, but does in the sister-pal-kid way. But no matter what he says to her and how he hurts her, she keeps on loving him and helping until he reaches the ultimate and then pow! The only different thing is that in my life, it never has ended as happy and beautiful as it does in the story. But I keep saying....”I know that some day....” I dreamt of Butch Catala again.

July 6 - Thursday


Its been a hectic, tiring day but an enjoyable and happy one anyway. First we had the Presentation of Officers this morning and we Hi-Gayles sang and they liked the songs. Next we dressed and painted our slaves and it was a riot. They looked so ridiculous and out of this world. In the afternoon we had our Initiation Day program and I did all the announcing since Margot Pimentel was “indisposed.” We had Pepe Pimentel as guest and the girls enjoyed him immensely and he sang and joked with us - it was loads of fun. We had rites and games and a pledge for the neophytes. Everybody had a wonderful time. The HSA has scored again! I’m dead tired and I’ve got this perfectly horrid exam in Physics tomorrow and I have to finish themes in English, etc., etc., etc. I was invited to party next door and the music sounded divine but I’m half ready for the morgue and these school books are haunting me so ......??? I realize I’m very sanguine for the very reason that if certain people irritate me it goes away in the next minute. Maryann Ojeda dances very well! Ruby P is very good. PS. A month ago tomorrow, Bill left for Australia and I haven’t received even the edge of the stamp of the letter he promised. PSS. I also met Sister James Catherine and Sister Carmen Dolores of my Maryknoll days. I spoke to them and they are wonderful nuns.



July 7 - Friday - Tony Ortigas’ birthday

I got 10 out of 20 questions in Physics’ objective test today. We had Holy Hour and then we talked to the lower years about the school rules, etc. Then after school Marina and I went to the ANC. Ate then back to school for the movie “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies” with Doris Day and David Niven. Nena came to school and we showed her around and I think she got a little bored. Half the girls were goggle eyed watching her. Something that pretty doesn’t walk around our school very often. Dad and I ate dinner together. Listened to the radio and then I weighed myself and I’m delighted to find I weigh 97 ½ lbs. – in my pajamas after eating. If I keep it up, I’ll reach my goal of a hundred! Tomorrow Maribel and Marilou Prieto leave for abroad. Lucky people. These darn pimples are bugging me again and I hope Nana’s package arrives soon. Please, please!!
 
July 6 - Thursday


Its been a hectic, tiring day but an enjoyable and happy one anyway. First we had the Presentation of Officers this morning and we Hi-Gayles sang and they liked the songs. Next we dressed and painted our slaves and it was a riot. They looked so ridiculous and out of this world. In the afternoon we had our Initiation Day program and I did all the announcing since Margot Pimentel was “indisposed.” We had Pepe Pimentel as guest and the girls enjoyed him immensely and he sang and joked with us - it was loads of fun. We had rites and games and a pledge for the neophytes. Everybody had a wonderful time. The HSA has scored again! I’m dead tired and I’ve got this perfectly horrid exam in Physics tomorrow and I have to finish themes in English, etc., etc., etc. I was invited to party next door and the music sounded divine but I’m half ready for the morgue and these school books are haunting me so ......??? I realize I’m very sanguine for the very reason that if certain people irritate me it goes away in the next minute. Maryann Ojeda dances very well! Ruby P is very good. PS. A month ago tomorrow, Bill left for Australia and I haven’t received even the edge of the stamp of the letter he promised. PSS. I also met Sister James Catherine and Sister Carmen Dolores of my Maryknoll days. I spoke to them and they are wonderful nuns.



July 7 - Friday - Tony Ortigas’ birthday

I got 10 out of 20 questions in Physics’ objective test today. We had Holy Hour and then we talked to the lower years about the school rules, etc. Then after school Marina and I went to the ANC. Ate then back to school for the movie “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies” with Doris Day and David Niven. Nena came to school and we showed her around and I think she got a little bored. Half the girls were goggle eyed watching her. Something that pretty doesn’t walk around our school very often. Dad and I ate dinner together. Listened to the radio and then I weighed myself and I’m delighted to find I weigh 97 ½ lbs. – in my pajamas after eating. If I keep it up, I’ll reach my goal of a hundred! Tomorrow Maribel and Marilou Prieto leave for abroad. Lucky people. These darn pimples are bugging me again and I hope Nana’s package arrives soon. Please, please!!