December 18 - 23, 1961

December 18 - Monday


Margotin was teasing me the whole morning about Spik and that when we were in the movie yesterday he kept turning around (The movie was “The Pleasure Of His Company” with Debbie Reynolds, Tab Hunter, Lilly Palmer, Fred Astaire). Sister Angela and the other teachers didn’t say a word about my not going to school on Friday. Saints Jude and Anthony and the Holy Souls saved me again! They have been answering all my prayers lately and I’m ever so grateful. Prayer does help. Dad’s new TV show went on very smoothly. Spik called me up this evening. He has a very nice voice over the phone. We talked about school, Maryknoll, the caroling and the concert at the Rizal Thursday. He says Freddy Hernandez might ask Marina. No comment. He’s an awfully nice guy and I’m beginning to like him more and more. I hope everything goes alright for Thursday. Please St. Anthony and Jude. I talked to Lita too.



December 19 - Tuesday

(The first half of this entry deals with me and my battles with my mother - her being strict and not “understanding” me and so on, so I’ve skipped it. It’s the age old war of teenage girls with their mothers.) This evening I washed my hair and then Freddy Hernandez called me up and was asking me which good friend of mind could I suggest that he go with on Thursday so that we could go together with Spik. I told him that he should choose the girl, after all he’d be taking her but he said it was for me that he was doing this so I suggested Lita or Magu. He said he would try Magu first if Fritz hadn’t already asked her. If not, he’d ask Lita. I hope Lita can go. I’m very apprehensive about the Campus Jamboree. I hope everything goes well. Bahala, na. Freddy H. is awfully nice. Margotin was mad at Fritz since he didn’t call her up last night like he said he would. I told her he might have had exams. Anyway, Spik didn’t call like he said he would either. Magu and I are even. To think I might see Carlos on Thursday gives me butterflies again. The Squares are great!



December 20 - Wednesday

We did practically nothing at all this morning. This pm Margot P, Cora A and Nannette G came home to change for the Christmas party. We had a lot of fun dancing and cracking jokes. Susan and Magu are the nicest. We spent half the time talking about the beloved Squares and Whirlpools. I still don’t know what going to happen tomorrow. Neither Spik nor Freddy H called up this evening. Oh well, lets see. I’ll admit I was sort of disappointed tonight. I did hope Spik would call but he didn’t. Anyway, tomorrow’s another day. Lita and Mercy called up. Lita wanted to know about that tragedy with Cosme last year so I told her the story. Mercy also called and I was telling her about the fun we had last Saturday. I wonder if I’ll ever get to the Campus Jamboree. Daddy was in low spirits this evening.



December 21 - Thursday

We just played records and watched a movie “So Young, So Bad” and had a short talk by Father Shean this morning in school. This pm we distributed the graduation pictures to our friends. We also danced. This evening Freddy Hernandez and Spik picked me up to go to the Campus Jamboree. (I’m totally amazed that my mother let me go with them. I guess it was because Freddy’s mom was a good friend of my mother’s but still, I’m shocked she let me out of the house with two guys.) They came to the door, not just blew the horn. I had a very nice time. They’re wonderful guys with a very nice sense of humor. Freddy and I kept teasing each other the whole night and Spik and I kept laughing. Spik is quieter that Freddy and has a good head on his shoulders. Freddy is more happy go lucky as he puts it and very delightful. I never knew he was so nice and I’ve known him since we were, or I was 5! We sat together, Spik, Fred and I, but away from “la quadrilla.” Mercy gave me a beaming smile across the room and Susan and Magu waved...I saw the Sans, Ginny Brooks, Tony Ortigas, the Olbes brothers, Juaco, etc. NO Carlos though. The Whirlpools played very well. Then this guy named Billy sang and I think the cat next door howls better. Freddy and Spik were making cracks about the poor guy and I was laughing so hard I nearly cried. The fashion show was very nice. The girls were all pretty and the dresses lovely. Jojo Keiruff is very attractive. Josin Loinaz modeled too and when she came near us, she posed right in front of us and gave us a flashing smile and winked at me. Spik said something about disowning his sister. I saw Honey there with Butch. When we left, we passed by D’Marks to see if my parents were there yet but they weren’t so we were leaving when we saw Dad’s car driving up and we went back to D’Marks. I introduced Spik to my parents. Then he and Freddy left. At D’Marks I met Tony Ortigas on my way to the ladies lounge. He was there with the Olbeses and he asked me who I was with and started to tease me about Spik. Gosh, he IS handsome. Mercy would have died. I had a lovely evening. Spik and Freddy are so nice but I would’ve loved to have seen Carlos. We received a letter from Spain and Abuelita is much better. Gracias a Dios.



December 22 - Friday

I wrapped Christmas presents this morning. This afternoon Dad brought home the Christmas tree but won’t be able to trim it until tomorrow. Mom, Tita Pacita and I went shopping this pm. I bought a darling white bag and gloves. I wasn’t able to find any shoes that I liked. There was only one pair but they were half a size too big. We got home at 10 PM.



December 23 - Saturday

Mom and I decorated the Christmas tree this morning. This afternoon, Lita picked me up and she, Conchita, Luli, Mercy, Maricar and I went to the Rizal to see “Ladies Man” with Jerry Lewis. It was a riot but sometimes corny. We met Jay, Fritz and Mon coming in. Fritz called me aside and said he had some chismes. He just asked me what Spik, Fred and I did after the jazz festival last Thursday. I told him they left me off at D’Marks and he said “Que mal.” (???) Anyway, Jay opened the door for me into the movie. Then later I warned him about putting his feet on the seat in front of him since the usher was staring at him. Mon told Maricar that Spik likes me but I’m not very sure about that. Mercy had an “accident” so Lita and I had to go over to Marina’s house for ammunition. Tony O sat in front of us. We saw Mari come in con que miradas! We later went to the ANC after dropping Maricar home and Mercy and I took a walk down Mabini. Marina was at the ANC and we sat out by the swimming pool. We were quite giddy and laughing all the while. We later went to the Teen Den. Then Mercy and I left for home. Mom and I went to the dressmakers and then back home. The Marquez family next door has given us a big, beautiful, chocolate cake made especially for us by the Rolling Pin for Christmas. Talked with Lita over the phone for half an hour mostly about Spik and Peps. Washed my hair with soap tonight because it was too late to get shampoo. It’s awful!!! Bahala na tomorrow. Since I’m going to get my period again I’ve got pimples and prickly heat all over my back and some are starting on my face. It’s so hot for December these days. I remember last year, it was practically freezing (I’ll REALLY know freezing when a scant 5 years later I experienced my first New York winter!!) Marina said she saw Carlos in the movie yesterday. He was alone! I haven’t seen him since the Barrio Fiesta at SanLo.