October 16 - November 1, 1961

October 16 - Monday


We’ve finished 3 exams so far and we’ve go the wars to go though yet. Physics tomorrow and I STILL DON’T KNOW A THING! I’m cutting this short so I can study. I’ve thought a lot about Carlos and Cosme tonight. I HATE PHYSICS!



October 17 - Tuesday - Nacho Marti, Emil Muniosguren and Margot Pimentel’s Birthdays

Well, as Nanette Garrovillo said this morning. We’ve been to hell and back. Physics was our hell. Boy if I got at least a hundred correct answers out of 200 I’ll have St. Jude to thank. I just scanned through Health. Spanish was a whiz and Tagalog, so-so. Just History and Literature tomorrow and then, THE END! The new Paulinian Office is so cozy. It’s just under the chapel and we spent all our free time fixing it up. They’re starting to build the new high school building already. Marina and I cut Charlie Armstrong’s picture out of the Atenean. He is one of the handsomest boys I’ve known. I don’t know a thing in History. Miss Usi liked my World War II report. She said it was very good - naks! All it does is rain these days. I’m beginning to forget what a blue sky looks like. I wish I could study a year in Baguio. I think a change of climate would do wonders for me. Carlos is still always on my mind. I find myself thinking of him almost involuntarily. This is awful!



October 18 - Wednesday

My History test was a complete mess! I had about 35 blanks out of 200 questions. Miss Usi will get heart failure when she sees my paper. My Literature exam was a little better. This afternoon we did absolutely nothing. We just sat in The Paulinian office and chatted with Miss Juco and read. I’m so happy tomorrow we have no class. And to think I might see Carlos on Sunday makes me glow all over. I like him so very much it hurts......I just live for weekends and sometimes he doesn’t even know I’m alive. I talked to Nena over the phone.



October 19 - Thursday

I went to the ANC and spent the whole day there. In the morning I sat in the swimming pool with Ditas Lanuza and a friend. Nacho, Ramon F., Ramon A. and Arno were also at the pool. This afternoon Nena came at 2 pm and we spent the afternoon reading the letters Alfredo Filo (one of the Argentinian cadets) had written to her. He is so in love with Nena and gosh those letters he writes are so sincere and romantic. It must be great to be loved by a boy so much and I don’t think Nena realizes that fully. She is one of my best friends. Marina came this pm with Margot P, Susan, Marilena and Alice G. They had come from the movies. I ate dinner with Daddy again since Mommy went to JUSMAG with Tita Pacita and Tita Meling and Freddy. I wanted so much to go. I talked with Mercy for over an hour and a half about Cosme, Carlos, Caloy, Mari, Honey etc. Her voice was horrible because of a sore throat and cold. She and Nena are of the friends I like the most.



October 20 - Friday

Its been another nice day. I went to the ANC this morning. Arno and Nacho were there and they asked me to join them. I talked with Mercy over the phone too. Then Nena came and Inger and Nacho and I watched Arno, Nena and Inger play tennis. We had a grand time chatting and laughing. Marina was there too. I told Nacho “Arno is very nice” and Nacho tells me “Well, Arno thinks you’re pretty nice too and so do I but then you wouldn’t believe us if we told you.” Gee, that made me feel so good. I went with Mom to Dr. Potenciano this noon and this mole I’ve had ever since I was born in my hairline was removed. I have a bandage on my left temple now. At least I won’t have that pesky thing anymore. I ate lunch with Nena, Marina, Inger and this Austrian princess - Sandra something, at the ANC. Then Nena drove us to Dairy Queen. We had a terrific time. That Nena is a riot driving the car. Then we all went to Nena’s house with Tita Carmen Marti. We ate churros and I was jumping around so much the wound from my mole started bleeding again and Tita Carmen put another band-aid on it. She’s a wonderful woman. I like her very much. Nena drove us back home. She dropped me over at the ANC where I waited for Daddy. I met Ramon Faustman while waiting for Dad and we chatted for about half an hour then he had to leave. Dad and I ate supper together since Mommy went to the movies with Tita Pacita. Two more days then I might see Carlos.....



October 21 - Saturday

I went to the ANC again today. Nacho, Connie, Ramon, Lita, Conchita, Luli, Jack A and Arno were there. We sat in the Teen room a while after staying the swimming pool. Jack Aguirre is such a nice guy and so is Arno. Then Jack and Arno left for the Rizal. Leslie, Jessica, Ditas, Mary Ann, Luli, Conchita and I spent the afternoon in the Teen Den. We danced and played records. I danced with this guy named Jimmy Ames who was with other guys and Luis Fernandez and Ramon Faustman were there too. This evening, Margie and I went to Ramon del Rosario’s (Boy Blue) party. It was very nice. We got there before anybody else but later the house was jam packed (by the way, the house was beautiful, big and very modern) I was so happy when Jack Aguirre arrived. The Falcons were there. Also Arno and Freddy Franco. Louie Mac is crazy about Mercy. I danced a lot with Arno, Jack A ( slow drag with Jack too), Freddy F, Louie Mac, Boy Blue, Mari Valles and some other guys I didn’t know. I had a wonderful time. The food was delicious and Maricris Tabora sang. Freddy Franco dances very well as do Arno and Jack. Louie Mac slipped and fell while dancing with me (He’s hopeless). Cosme has written to Victor Franco already. Jack Aguirre is so nice...



October 22 - Sunday

I went to Mass at 11 am at Ermita then I went to ANC. Lita, Luli, Conchita, Nena, Marina and Arno were there. Marina was all excited about this guy she met last night at the ANC “Italian Night.” When I said that I didn’t know whom to invite for our Senior prom, Arno tells me, why don’t you take me?” and I said “You won’t believe this but I’d ask you if you weren’t going steady with Beli” and Arno says “For all you know, I might break one of these days..” I was sort of stunned and well, no comment. This noon Mommy asked me to call Tita Marina Asparren. My hand was shaking because I had the feeling CG would answer the phone and he did!! My heart did a zillion somersaults. I went to Marina’s house and Inger brought us home. I went to the Rizal to see “Tammy.” Carlos wasn’t there. I was so disappointed. What a dreary life.



October 23 - Monday

For once it wasn’t blue Monday except that I failed my Physics exam - 70%. Mrs. Buencamino said my theoretical wasn’t bad, it was the problems that pulled me down. In History I got 91 out of 170 items. Pretty bad but at least I passed. This afternoon we had the representatives from the embassies of Australia - Mr. Sadler, Germany - Honora Von Furstenberg, England - Miss Thorn, Spain - Milagros Gomez, and Italy - Mrs. Cappini. Mr. Sadler knows Bill de Witt. Honora is such a nice person too. Mercy called up tonight to say that she finally got Cosme’s letter. She read it to me. It’s a lovely letter and so much like Cosme. He said he will write more in the future. Tomorrow is Mommy’s birthday and I haven’t a thing to give her!



October 24 - Tuesday - Mommy’s Birthday - she’s 46 years old.

This afternoon Mom made me skip school since she wanted me to help her with the arrangements for her Mah-Jongg party at the ANC. We went there this pm. Nena and Inger were there and I spent the afternoon with them and Tita Carmen Marti. We talked about the good ol’ summer days. After they left, I sat and read until the Mah-Jongg game finished. (Tita Marina Asparren was there too - why couldn’t it have been her nephew). We all went to Bingo this evening. I sat with Luli and her aunt. She told me Maricar B broke with Ramon Infante and that Lita’s having differences with her Peps. Since my period is coming in a few days these darned pimples are popping up on my face again. I just pray that they won’t be here next Tuesday for the Beeps party. Its 12 am and I’m still awake. Just wait and see what this face of mine looks like tomorrow.



October 25 - Wednesday

This noon time Marina and I went to the ANC for lunch. We sat in the sun in our bathing suites. It was very relaxing. This afternoon, the Hi-Gayles couldn’t practice our songs. So, we decided to practice tomorrow here at home. This evening ended none to happily. Mom and Dad had a terrible argument. Dad’s nerves are really on edge since the money problems get worse every day and money does not grow on trees and Dad isn’t getting any younger. The future looks pretty gloomy but a stiff upper lip always helps. I hope the bill of the ANC hasn’t run too high. (Did it not occur to me to stop going there for awhile?!) I don’t want to attend the Christ the King procession on Sunday but a little sacrifice would help.



October 26 - Thursday

I feel so out of sorts this evening. Maybe its because Mommy doesn’t feel well and Daddy has many problems, mostly financial, and these things affect me. I don’t think I’ll be able to have a dress made for the Beeps party since Mommy still owes money to the dressmaker. I’m hoping for some sort of miracle but those don’t happen very often. Margotin gave me a picture of Carlos’s lovely home without me asking her. I don’t know what I feel for Carlos is love but whatever it is its pretty close. (And on and on.......) Magu, Margot, Marina, Cora came to practice at home tonight. Please dear God, help my Mom and Dad.



October 27 - Friday

Physics class was fun this morning since all we had were experiments. We had a test in History this afternoon and boy did I flunk that. Everybody did pretty badly. Margotin is one of the NICEST these days. This pm we went to the dressmakers to give the material for my dress for the Beeps party (I never appreciated the sacrifices my mother and father made to make my life roll on without a hitch.) Margotin came home with me and we ate merienda till Magu left at 6 pm. Dad and Mom simply don’t understand each other. Eileen was telling us about Maripi Gomez’s debut last night. It was pretty nice she said. I washed my hair this evening and its all fluffy and nice. I’ve got loads of things to do tomorrow. I hope I can go to the ANC. I’d like to talk to Luli and Lita and see Arno. In just a few days I’ll be able to see Carlos.



October 28 - Saturday

Mommy made me stay home this morning so I couldn’t go to the ANC. This afternoon I was going to go but I couldn’t either. I learned from Mary Ann Ojeda that Arno was there this am too. I went to see “Women in White” this pm with Mary Ann, Lulu and her aunt. I saw Butch Catala there. Then Mary Ann, Arabella, Lulu and I went together to Baby Barredo’s house for the cast party. Butch, Jigger, Juan Miguel Llamas, etc. were there. I danced with Butch and Angel Villareal. Butch is a terrific dancer and such a wonderful guy. He is thoroughly through with Inger. Juan Miguel Llamas brought me home with Arabella and Mary Ann. I got home at 12:10 AM. Phew, just in time too! I don’t think I’ll be able to see Carlos tomorrow - darn!





October 29 - Sunday - Arlette Teucher’s Birthday

Mom, Mercy and I went to Mass at Ermita at 10 am. We met Nena at Mass and we all went together to the ANC. Later we dropped Mom off at Tita Pacita’s house and we went back to the ANC. I was so happy to see Arno. He was with Juaco but we just exchanged a few hellos. Nena had to go to the Yacht Club so Mercy and I ate lunch then donned our bathing suits to go swimming. Arabella and Ana Marie G were there. We sat and chatted in the sun. Margie Llullier is back. Nacho was there too, also Ramon Faustman, Lita, Luli and Conchita came later and we all sat in the Sunset Lounge with Marina and Charito Malarki. Lita, Luli, Conchita, Mercy and I went to Lita’s apartment to play records. Mercy and I got home at 6:30 pm. I got a teeny weeny bit of sunburn. Arno is very nice but wouldn’t it have been wonderful if Carlos had been there today.



October 30 - Monday

Same old routine in school. Since they’ve started to build the new HS building, that hammering and pounding is driving us wild. We can’t even hear ourselves think. I like Mrs. Buencamino so much despite the fact that she teaches that dreaded subject - Physics. Mom, Magu and I went to my dressmakers to try on my dress for the Beeps party. I hope it comes out all right. Magu’s pop picked her up at 6 pm here at home. Margotin is a real dippy kid. I washed my hair this evening. I hope it looks at least decent tomorrow. St. Jude is a real doll. I asked him not make me have any pimples for Tuesday and even if my “observing” times is here. I haven’t got any unsightly pimples. Tomorrow D-day. So far, every Beeps party I’ve gone to has been a minor catastrophe. Let’s see if I break the record tomorrow.



October 31 - Tuesday - Happy Halloween! Beep-Beeps Party

Well, it hasn’t been a happy Halloween. The Beeps party was a smash hit for everyone - except me! I don’t know what it is but at every Beeps party I have a gruesome time. Its some sort of a jinx I guess. Tonight I’ve liked Carlos more than I ever have. The moment he walked in the room everyone else simply disappeared. When he was dancing with that girl the slow drag I’d have given anything in the world to change places with her. To feel the touch of his hand and have those wonderful brown eyes look down at me... (And yet again I go on, a lot, about Carlos. I guess this guy really had a hold on me but I won’t bore anyone else with my wistful meanderings..) I danced with Peps, Manolette, Linggoy, Butch, Cris C, Joe Assad, Leo and some guys whose names I don’t recall. I’m dead tired. What a heartbreaking evening.



November 1 - Wednesday

Honestly, the trouble I get into sometimes its incredible. I’ll explain. This morning I went to Mass at Ermita with Mom at 10 then I went to the ANC. Conchita and Lita were there. We sat in the Sunset Lounge then Arno joined us. I was so happy to see him. He was wearing a very nice shirt. I ate lunch at Conchita’s house (I forgot to mention Arno was wearing Beli’s ring). While at Conchita’s house we started writing on a blank page in my notebook, Carlos, Linggoy and Arno’s names. We walked back to the ANC in the afternoon. I accidentally dropped my notebook in the canal and the pad became dirty. When we reached the ANC Arno lent us his portable phonograph and we went into the little party room and put on records. When Arno came in to join us I remembered the page in my notebook with the names and I tore it carefully and tossed it on one of the chairs. We were dancing and chatting. Lita, Conchita, Marimil, Luli, Marina and Nena were also there. Arno was teach or rather showing us how to dance the “bye-bye.” (He dances beautifully with such rhythm.) Anyway after a while Arno happened to sit down where I had left the pieces of paper and he started to read them. I saw him just then and grabbed it. I don’t know how much he actually saw, maybe Carlos and Linggoy’s names. Conchita and I were nearly hysterical, and you know me, I get so flabbergasted when such embarrassing things happen. I’ll die if he saw his name because Conchita made it clear that I wrote it. All I can hope for now is that Carlos and Arno don’t end up despising me or something. What will Arno think?! He’s going steady with Beli and Carlos doesn’t give a hoot. Well it won’t be the first time I’ve blundered things and it probably won’t be the last. Of all the idiotic....Nacho came later with Ramon Faustman and Pilina Berenguer’s Pichuco. Pilina just got back from Spain. I can’t get over Arno - he’s such a wonderful person and if he dislikes me well, that’s all I need to add to my miseries and what if he tells Carlos - I’ll die!!! (This is all so stupid and I wanted to delete it, but if I did I wouldn’t be true to faithfully transcribing this diary so I left it in - corny as it may be to read.)