February 1 - 14, 1962

February 1 - Thursday


Sister was displeased about the Hi-Gayles practicing though the other girls are still going to sing tomorrow minus Marina and me. If Sister finds out they’ll really get it. Oh well, bahala na sila. This afternoon, after classes, Lita and I went to see Arno. He looked wonderful. Nena Baratta, Cookie Olondriz and Kathy Bruns were there for a while and later they left. Then Juaco and Eddie came, also Kenneth. We had a very nice time with Arno. Eddie and Juaco were telling stories about their adventures in Baguio in Juaco’s house. Arno says he’s through with Beli and my heart skipped a beat then. But then I also keep seeing the wonderful eyes of Mr. Roux.....



February 2 - Friday

The rest of the Hi-Gayles decided not to sing on “Fallout 62.” Corny day in school. Full of tests. This afternoon, Magu, Susie and I went to “Fallout 62" at the FSP auditorium with Fritz Infante. The auditorium was jam packed although we saw very few people we know. Baby O’Brian was the emcee and is she a very pretty girl. Anyway, before the event was over we left with Fritz, Boy and Freddy Franco. Fritz invited us over to the Aristocrat for a snack. While we were eating they kept teasing me about Spik and Carlos. I got home at 10 PM.



February 3 - Saturday

I went to school this am and by this noon I had a migraine headache. Marina and I went to the ANC. (Going to the ANC sure cured all my ills.) Lita and Conchita were there. At 12:30 I went home. I slept a siesta from 12:30 to 4 pm. I felt much better. This evening was the Vampires’ party but I didn’t want to go. Anyway, Arno couldn’t go and neither could Carlos, so what was the point. I talked with Mercy over the phone. I have a feeling tomorrow’s going to be a good day. I hope I see Arno and maybe Mr. Roux......Charlie Armstrong was back at the ANC.



February 4 - Sunday

I’m sure glad I didn’t go to the party last night. Carlos WAS there but with a new American dish called Bobbie something. You see what I mean?!! Arno WAS at the ANC and I was so surprised and happy to see him. He looked wonderful in a cream-colored Ban-lon shirt. He wasn’t wearing Beli’s ring but her bracelet, the one she gave him on Christmas. Today, Conchita, Lita, Vicky Pertierra, Vicky Gonzalez and I were invited by Luli to eat lunch at the Casino as tomorrow is her birthday. Then we went to Art Galindez’s show on DZMB. He’s such a nice guy. We also stopped in on Johnny Wilson for a minute. At 4 pm we went to the Polo for the polo games. Almost all the Forbes Park “elite” were there. Mr. Andrews (Ginny and Lorraine’s dad) is an awfully handsome man. (My mother used to tell me that before the war all the women thought him the handsomest man in Manila and all the women were crazy about him. It didn’t hurt that he was rich and could sit a horse better than anyone!) Gordo Catala, Spik, Ricky Catala, Peps and Luis Pertierra were there too, AND, Mr. Roux himself!!!!! I was standing by the door watching the games when suddenly I noticed him and his two brothers (presumably). He looked at me again and again - my heart turned over. (Sonofagun! I remember this clearly too!) I’d give anything to meet him. He was with his brothers, Ting-ting de los Reyes and another girl (lucky them!) He caught me looking at him once. “Como me chifla!” We went to the Teen Den for awhile and Freddy Hernandez was there and he told Ricky and Peps to take Lita, Conchita and I upstairs. So we went. Ricky Catala is a riot. I couldn’t stop laughing. Mari Cacho was also with us. I didn’t go to Mass today and I have Religion and Composition exams tomorrow and I haven’t studied a thing. Right now I couldn’t care less about anything. My life is a mess. I wish I were alone in Baguio, in that cosy, second floor of Tita Trining’s house with a good book and hang everything else! My appendix is bothering me and it costs more money than dad has to operate it so I might as well give up. (Was there an appendicitis epidemic in Manila?!! You’d think it was a contagious disease and everyone got operated of it at the drop of a hat - Lita, Arno, Luli, ...very strange...).



February 5 - Monday

My Religion exams weren’t too bad but Speech and Composition, well shall we change the subject. I have a terrific cold and my head feels like its going to pop any minute. I simply cannot concentrate on anything much less Physics or Tagalog. Well, we’ll just see what mess I indulge in tomorrow. I simply cannot get Arno and that dreamy Mr. Roux out of my mind. I couldn’t care less about Carlos this minute and if he wants to break his promise about going to the ball - let him. I just hope with all my heart that Arno doesn’t do the same. Heck to this cold!



February 6 - Tuesday

My Physics exam is not to be mentioned - I didn’t know a thing! If I got 60 I’m lucky. Oh boy, I wonder what my report card will look like. This evening my cold is worse and I can’t even think straight. I haven’t opened my books and anyway, even if I did I wouldn’t be able to concentrate. My nose is all clogged up and I have to breath through my mouth. What a miserable day!



February 7 - Wednesday

Finally, our crummy exams are over. I can’t be happier. I can finally breath, think, and talk straight after 3 days of mental and physical fatigue. We had movies in school this pm then Marina and I went to the ANC. I read the bulletin board and in it was something about the Roux brothers - the one with the dreamy eyes is George and the two others are Scotty and Bobby. Susan Roces is giving a party for them tomorrow. I’d give my right eye to meet him (George). Lita was at the ANC this pm and Mitch was there with a girl. (I fell for Carlos Garcia two years ago today and I still haven’t reached bottom).



February 8 - Thursday

I feel so out of sorts tonight like I’m all out of focus or something. I feel useless, unwanted by anyone (this is NOT the feeling-sorry-for-myself mood like I’ve had before). I feel like if I dropped out of sight no one would notice.



February 9 - Friday

Did nothing much in school. Just a lot of corny joke sessions and talk. I got the Hi-Gayles invitations from Mrs. Pimentel and I’ve finished writing down the names on the envelopes. I really want to go to the ANC tomorrow and yes I’ll admit it, to see Arno. Funny, it doesn’t bother me that Carlos won’t go to the prom but if Arno goes back to Beli I won’t want him to go to our prom and it will hurt me a lot!!



February 10 - Saturday

I went to the ANC with Dad. I ate breakfast in the dining room with Nacho, Ramon and Gerardo Lanuza. Then while we were eating, Mercy bursts in with Judy Calvo and her cousin and tells me that Carlos was at the entrance with Arno. I went to the Accommodations Counter and saw Carlos through the windows. Arno was with him and my heart was pounding so loudly though I don’t know if it was because of Arno or Carlos. I think it was Arno a little more than Carlos. Anyway, later we all went to the Teen Den and gave Eddie Gonzalez and Mari O. the invitations. We all were dancing the twist and Arno’s step, the slop. While we were dancing, Arno arrived. And I was unhappily right - he’s going back to Beli. I knew it the minute I saw her ring back on his finger. My heart turned over and died. So, I told him to forget the ball. I may not even go. No one else interests me. This is also the last disappointment. (Would that had been true!!! Little did I know how many more REAL disappointments awaited me in the years ahead.) I won’t let myself fall for anyone else, not unless I’m sure he really likes ME! This afternoon, Conch, Lita, Luli, Marina, Mercy, Judy, Chiqui and Albert came home for a twist session. We had a nice time and had fun. Que vida!



February 11 - Sunday - Our Lady of Lourdes - My Feast Day

I went to Mass with Rita, my maid, at the Luneta (Eucharistic Congress). I went home for breakfast and to change and then to the ANC. I sat at the swimming pool for awhile then Ditas Hagedorn and Pichuco joined me, also Arno. I was so happy to see him. Everyone had gone to the Rebels’ party last night. When I told Arno it was my feast day he reached over and shook my hand, squeezed it gently for a minute and that was all. As I looked at him while he talked I realize how much I like him. He’s such a sweet wonderful person. Anyway, later, everyone left and I sat in the Sunset Lounge. Linda Pratico (I have no recollection of this girl, of who she was or what she looked like – the name vaguely rings a bell, and I’ve mentioned her in my past entries last year but I still have no visual memory of her!) joined me and we chatted for a while. I ate lunch with Mom at the ANC. AT 2, Lita picked me up and we went to the movie. Arno and Pichuco came with us. We went to the Rizal to see “Judgement at Nuremberg.” Magnificent picture starring the cream of Hollywood - Spencer Tracy, Richard Widmark, Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Cliff, Judy Garland, Marlene Dietrich. It was very good movie. Beli sat a row in front of us with Arno. After the movie all of us except Arno came home to eat a snack. Lita left at 7 pm. Pichuco likes Lita, incidentally. This evening I was playing dominoes with Mom when someone knocks at the door. I thought it was Chiqui with Mercy and I was in my nightie so I told them to come in. Suddenly I hear Honey’s voice and I shrieked and ran for my bata. Honey came to use Mom’s typewriter. He looked frightingly handsome in a electric blue shirt. We had a nice time because we all sat at the dining room table - Honey typing, Mercy studying her Physics and Mom and I playing dominoes. Honey was in a good mood and very nice this evening. He was my first teenage crush and I thought I was madly in love with him for 3 years. (Now, 50 or so years later, I still remember my first crush as a ten year old, on Honey Muniosguren.) Now we’re friends and he teases me awfully. Dad told me this evening that Fr. Parisee needs help for his TV show. I think I’ll suggest to the Hi-Gayles that we help him. I do hope Arno goes to the Hi-Gayles party on Saturday even if he is with Beli, as long as he’s there.



February 12 - Monday

Same old routine in class but I’m sort of sad that the rest of the girls will return tomorrow from the Baguio retreat. I liked the peace and serenity of the classroom these past 3 days and Sr. Angela wasn’t there to needle me all the time. Tomorrow back to the same old grind. I’m reading “Gone With The Wind” again. I simply adore this book. I must be losing touch since I don’t really care about the party on Saturday. I didn’t go to the Vampires’ or Rebels’ parties and I don’t feel like going to the this coming one...sigh..



February 13 - Tuesday

All the girls who went to Baguio for the Retreat cannot say enough about it. It seems like it was glorious and the Retreat Master, Fr. Ferreira is a very inspiring man. Ah, Baguio. My city of pines, mountains and cool air. How I long to be up there. Never mind, I hope I’ll be able to go this summer. Grace Eusebio did bring me a jar of delicious strawberry jam. (Actually, the strawberry jam from Baguio was simply the best! I love jams but I think I haven’t eaten anything to compare with Baguio’s.) She’s a darling. These days I go about my life with an air of complete indifference. People reprimand me and not a feather of mine gets ruffled. I completely ignore tempers and arguments. I don’t give two cents for any guy (Oh, please, who was I kidding?!) Even when Marina said she saw Carlos this morning, my heart continued beating normally at the same monotonous rhythm. Before I used to go wild at the mere mention of his name or Arno’s, or Mitch’s, or Spik’s but now they can all go fly a kite. They don’t bother me a bit and I feel safe and warm and free from any of these wild spastic emotions. But, the person I do think of is the unknown Mr. George Roux. When I remember how those remarkable black eyes just looked into mine that Tuesday night at Bingo, I felt that for a moment someone was genuinely interested in ME. I’d give anything to get to meet him and know him but it isn’t going to happen. I know better to expect things like that in my life....Marina really got on my nerves today - she can make me so hopping mad!! Tomorrow is Valentine’s day - hah!!!



February 14 - Wednesday

Magu gave me a sweet little silver ring from Baguio and Margot, a bracelet. It was very sweet of them to remember me and I appreciate it very much. Anyway, I wish Saturday were over. I don’t feel like going to the party. Mainly because its really going to be a mess and I don’t feel like meeting that big gang of ours.