April 9 - 16, 1962

April 9 - Monday


I stayed home this morning and washed my hair. This afternoon, Lita picked me up and all the gang including Honey went to the Casino to bowl. My average score is a measly 75! Honey is being such a doll. I nearly died when they told me Carlos was at Mercy’s house this morning with his aunt. They were there to pick up Tita Lol who then had lunch at his house. Anyway, it seems they are sending Carlos to school in Cagayan de Oro this June. Poor guy but at least he’ll be away from all those girls (I think and hope). After the Casino, we all came home and danced a while and played “Gallina Ciega.” Lita keeps talking about Morris. It’s been a nice afternoon especially since Honey is being so nice and so much fun.



April 10 - Tuesday

They are paving our street and there is so much dust around you practically can eat it. I went to the ANC this afternoon. Mitch was there. Later, Chiqui S. tells me that Tita Marina and Carlos might go to Baguio. This is just too much! I can’t even contemplate this. Went to Bingo with the gang. I made friends with Yan - Mitch’s brother. I’m rushing this entry because Mom tells me to turn off the light.



April 11 - Wednesday

I felt real industrious this morning so I washed my sweater and bra. Cooked the noon day meal and baked a cake. This afternoon I picked Luli up and we went to the ANC. The Sarthous, Mercy, Margie and Arno were there. Later we went bowling to the Casino and as usual, my bowling was awful. Arno is one person who completely baffles me. He and Honey are the 2 people who I can never really figure out. I pride myself of being a pretty good judge of people but I simply cannot make hear nor tail of those two. I never know whether they like me or not at all. I went to Mercy’s house for a while this evening.



April 12 - Thursday

Its been a very nice day. This morning I went to the ANC. The usual gang was there including Cynthia Carreon. We had lunch there and Mitch, Nadia and Ian were there too. Leslie is leaving for the States today - forever! Yipee. This afternoon, Honey, George, Mitch and I played tennis. Paul was trying unsuccessfully to make me mad with the help of Lita who poured a glass of water down my blouse. All because Paul and I teased her about Morris. I had a delightful chat with Yan and found out he goes to Hong Kong as a substitute for Baguio; has been to Tokyo ten times and Rome 3 times! Some people are so lucky. (Not so, really. A couple of years later, Yan will die suddenly, too young, of a heart attack.) Well, tomorrow is Friday the 13th and Tita Lol’s feast day. Also we are all going to dinner at Mercy’s house and Tita Marina promises to bring Carlos - hah! This I have to see to believe. Mitch and Nadia were very cosy in the swimming pool. Marina brought me and Nacho home.



April 13 - Friday

I went to the dressmakers with Mom and then we went to the ANC for lunch. Mercy and company were just leaving. I spent the whole afternoon with Jan Stachan at the swimming pool trying to get a tan. This evening I went to Mercy’s house to celebrate Tita Lolita’s feast day. Carlos arrived while we were playing Charades. For a few minutes my hands were trembling so much I couldn’t hold my glass. Later, when we were playing and he called me to give me to give me the name of a song, I was so near him I felt like I was crumbling up inside. (Good grief, girl. Here was my first chance in 2 years to be talking and interacting with this guy who has been the object of my every girlish desire and I act like a complete fool!) It seems, or he said, he likes American girls because they don’t take things seriously (Translation: they were“easy” in 1962 parlance.). He also likes girls who are about 5'2" or 5'3" and that they have nice eyes. When he said that, there was this awful silence and everyone gave me a sidelong glance and I turned three shades of red. He kept talking about short blond hair and nice eyes all night.



April 14 - Saturday

I went to the ANC this morning and almost the whole gang was there. I got a letter from Cosme today and was so happy to hear from him. I ate lunch with Arno who was very nice today. He wanted to take me to a moved but I sort of declined. Not that I didn’t want to go but I know he’s just asking me because Beli is away in Baguio. (Could I have been more annoying?!!!) This afternoon Jan and Jeanne brought a girl named Kate to the ANC. She was loads of fun and a had a great personality too. Victor Sans was there with Ramon Faustman. We were a pretty large group of teenagers gathered there. Lita brought me home and I gave her a piece of the cake I had baked. Lita is pretty worried about Morris because he hasn’t written or phoned her in ages and his excuses are pretty limited. Tonight I feel so down in the dumps and yet slightly happy to think I was Carlos last night....!! Margot Pimentel called tonight.



April 15 - Sunday

I went to Mass and Communion at 11 at Ermita and ANC later and the usual people were there. I was supposed to invite Arno to the movie but at the last minute he gave me back my money. Whether he was thinking of Beli or was being a gentleman I don’t know but I think it’s the former. Mercy was pretty excited because she saw Ricky Catala and Mon Infante at the Rizal. I heard Carlos laugh once during the movie and saw Tita Marina outside. By the way, the movie was “Satan Never Sleeps” with France Nuyen and William Holden. We went back to the ANC and we stayed at the swimming pool with Jeanne, Mercy, Lita, Luli, etc. Bomber was there which made Luli happy. I borrowed Jan’s radio. Pichuco just seems to get on my nerves but I’ll try to be charitable and be nicer to him. We got the shock of our lives tonight with the unexpected death of Mayor Lacson. He was the finest man even if he was a little brash. Manila will never be the same.



April 16 - Monday

I was going to the ANC but Mom wanted me to stay home. This afternoon I went to Mercy’s house and from there we went to the Club Filipino. The Whirlpools were there and Mercy was terribly excited to see Mon Infante. Fritz started teasing me about Spik. Luli, Honey, and Lita played bowling. Later, Mon, Ray, Raffy and Jay bowled too and Mercy and I watched. Spik arrived later with Gordo Catala and we spent some time talking with Mon. Lita was fooling around and pretended to keep Mon’s graduation ring but gave it back. Mon started teasing me about Spik and he was about 3 feet away! I hope they all get to go to Baguio. I think Mom is going to le me go - please, please, I hope. Honey is such a nice guy except when he’s in a mean mood. I went to Mercy’s house (after Luli treated us to Dairy Queen). Mercy, Anamarie G. and I spent some time talking about Mon, Carlos and Ramon F. Mercy says that once last Friday, she saw Carlos watching me. At least he knows I’m alive! I hope I win some money in Bingo tomorrow, I sure need it!