November 14 - 18, 1961

Nov 14 - Tuesday


I went to the ANC after leaving the material for my HG costume at the dressmakers. Luli, Conchita, and Lita were there. I told them about the party last night and how nice Freddy and Ramon Infante are. I ate lunch there with Mom then Lita picked me up and she, Conchita and I went to the Rizal to see “Scream of Fear” with Susan Strasberg. What a terrifying picture! We sat in the same row with the Beeps - Margot, Entang, Mary, etc. We were also talking to Vicky and Annie outside in the lobby. Marina was with Inger and later they saw the movie again with Honey and Butch. I didn’t see Carlos as I got in but when we sat down, Conchita whispers to me that Carlos is sitting in the row behind us. As I looked back I didn’t see Carlos but saw Arno looking straight at me. I didn’t look back any more. Later, near the end and most exciting part of the picture and most terrifying part there were two guys in front of us who kept warning us that the scary part was coming - the voice of one sounded familiar and as I looked closely I saw that it was - Carlos with Arno. When the movie was over, we went out and since it was only 4 pm, Lita’s car hadn’t arrived so we waited by one of the ticket booths that were not in use. Carlos was in the canteen with Arno and Linggoy (which Conchita was all excited about). As we stood there, Carlos came out of the canteen and walked right in front of Lita and me. He looked straight at me and smiled wickedly and then sauntered outside to say a few words to Vicky and Annie. Later, he stood a few feet away from us while Margotin talked to me. She went over to talk to him and we had to leave right then. I just said goodby to Entang and Margotin and didn’t even look at Carlos. I asked Lita if I blushed when Carlos said hello and Lita says I was nice and rosy. We went back to the ANC. I stayed there until 9 pm. Marina called home this evening. Wonder what she wanted. Dad hasn’t been home in almost 48 hours because of the coverage of the elections. He has been on the air the whole day and night. We still don’t know whose won - Garcia or Macapagal. May the best man win. I think my heart nearly stopped when Carlos said hello. I didn’t go to school this morning. This afternoon I did. Everyone got her report card today but since mine was late, I didn’t see it. Mrs. Buencamino gives me a hint that I failed in Physics. Oh, please, NO! This evening the Hi-Gayles practiced for the “Melody In Beat” on Friday. I’m getting awfully scared too. Tomorrow’s our last day to practice. I’m really very disappointed about Friday since the Whirlpools are not sure to play and Carlos can’t sing at all since he got something in his lungs. He’s got to take it easy. He can’t even go to Mike Prieto’s party on Saturday. Maybe its just as well, then I won’t have to bear the hurt of watching him dance with Ginny. No offense to Ginny, who so nice, but what a life!



Nov 16 - Thursday

Cosme answered my letter and I received it today. It’s a warm and friendly letter and has made Cosme seem closer than those 10,000 miles. I really miss him and as I’ve said - I liked him more than I did any other goy except Carlos. I also got my report card today and did NOT fail in Physics, through the mercy of Mrs. Buencamino and I went up in four subjects. (How I accomplished this when I never seem to be in school nor study is beyond me, these very long years later...ah, to be 17 and think we could do it all...) We have to stay in school tomorrow until five though Sr. Chantal’s bright ideas. How are we going to prepare ourselves for the concert at 6 PM in half an hour is beyond me but that’s the way the cookie crumbles. We practiced this evening for the last time and all seems ok. I hope everything goes well tomorrow. Marina saw Nacho and Carlos together today!!



Nov 17 - Friday - “Melody In Beat”

We had our first 4th year debate from 4 - 5 pm. Margot Pimentel spoke stupendously. This evening we had our “Melody In Beat.” The Whirlpools were not there and the Strads could not play but Salvador Vaca was there and he heard us sing before the program and he said we were quite good. He sang “La Bamba” for us privately. Also a very lovely Spanish song. He looked at me all the time he was singing. He said we were invited to sing at his “The Electra.” Whether he said that for politeness or not I don’t know but he makes us feel good. When we say, the audience requested an encore and we sang “Jamaica Farewell” again. Salvador really liked that song. Later we went to Tita de Ocampo’s house to eat. I wish that Carlos had been there tonight. Tomorrow is Mike Prieto’s party. The Whirlpools will play. I won’t go to school tomorrow. (Didn’t the nuns have me down for a zillion absences??!)



Nov. 18 - Saturday

I’m beginning to get a bad cold so this morning I didn’t go to school. This noon, Magu, Susan, and Margot came home to get their things from yesterday. They decided not to go to school this afternoon so Mommy told them to call their homes and say that they were not going to school. Susan and Magu did so but Margot Pimentel could not get in touch with her mother. We slept a siesta when I was awakened by the telephone. It was Sr. Chantal asking for Susan and Margot. Margot got it from Sister and she and Susan went immediately back to school. Magu was not involved. Rambulan on Monday. Lita picked me up at quarter to 8 for Mike Prieto’s party. Lita, Conchita, Maricar and I were together. It was a nice party and I enjoyed myself better than I did at the Beeps despite the fact that Carlos wasn’t there. Maybe that’s why since I didn’t have to watch him dance with other girls. We sat in a row - Cynthia, Marimil, me, Conchita, Lita, Maricar and Ginny Brooks. All the girls are awfully nice. Marimil was all in a dither over returning her ring to Joe and Freddy Infante. Now I don’t blame Marimil a bit on the Freddy Infante line. He is one of the nicest most simpatico boys I’ve know. He’s got a delightful charm and sense of humor all his own. He’s 19 and in 3rd year college. Next to Carlos, he’s tops in my list. Tony Ortigas was with us and Maricar nearly died too. Linggoy kept dancing in front of Conchita who was furious but who’s heart was doing the tick-tock. I danced with Linggoy, Joe, Danny H., this guy Guidote, some other guy, Kenneth Brimo, etc. Later, we were in the powder room with Betina, Dita, Mary S., etc. Maripaz Godinez, etc. The Beeps are great gals too. We left at 11:30 and I got home by 11:55 PM. I broke the all time record. Tomorrow I might see Carlos. I have the feeling he’s asked Ginny to the La Salle’s J-S Prom.



November 19 - Sunday

I went to Mass at 11:45 am at Ermita and then to the ANC. Conchita, Marina, Luli and Arno were there. Arno was busy talking to Beli over the phone. I ate lunch in Conchita’s house then we picked up Lita and went to see “Bachelor’s Flat” with Tuesday Weld and Dick Beymer, at the Rizal. As we sat down I noticed Carlos was sitting in front of me and I nearly died. He looked back twice and then he went out for a moment. When he came back as he slid into his seat he said a soft “Hi.” There went my pulse again. Later, Ginny, Beli came and he sat beside Ginny. Then we saw Linggoy and he left. We chatted with Cynthia for a while then we started to walk to Marina’s house. It was then I noticed Carlos and Arno walking behind us. My knees were slowly turning to jelly. Also while we walked a big black car stops near us and it was the Whirlpools! They offered us a ride but we declined. Freddy was there! I got more excited than ever with Freddy in front of me and Carlos and Arno behind us. We found a taxi finally on Pasay Road and we went to the ANC. Later in the afternoon, Pichuco Berenguer and Ditoy Atayde joined us girls. We just chatted and listened to the radio. Pichuco is very nice. Dad brought me home. Talked to Mercy over the phone.