July 2 - 13, 1962

July 2 - Monday


Uneventful day at school. I’m at the I-don’t-feel-like-going-to-school mood again. I found my mind wandering off to Tony Ortigas tonight.



July 3 - Tuesday

Its been Blue Tuesday. Mr. Cruz made me more nervous than ever. Mom scolded me again for something which was not my fault. I have a terrific cold. Dad got sore because I did not watch his programs on TV. (And for this latter entry, I am so sorry 45 years later...I still watch news programs morning and evening now and anything I know my father would’ve been interested in. I would give anything to watch anything for him and with him again. How insensitive teenagers are!) Arlette and Monica arrive here in a week and I’m looking forward to it.



July 4 - Wednesday

It’s been a memorable “4th.” I felt so blue the whole day. Paqui, Quito and Ramon were at the ANC and some people became pretty spastic. This afternoon we had a teeny gathering at the Annex of the Party Room. Mitch came besides the usual people. Arno was there the whole day when he could’ve gone to a gathering at Ginny’s house. He danced boogie with me once and I guess I’m pretty nuts about him though I can’t figure out exactly why. I hope to skip Steno and Accounting tomorrow. I can’t bear an ordeal with that Mr. Cruz again, not to mention Sister Felix. I don’t feel up to anything and I need a change - to go somewhere away from my parents and Manila itself. (I should’ve been biting my tongue when I thought this. They say when the gods want to punish you, they grant you your wishes. I have certainly proved that to be so, so true!!) I feel trapped and sad, very dad. I love my parents their nagging is driving me crazy. I want to travel and see all the places that Mitch has seen.



July 5 - Thursday

My spirits are up a bit today. I skipped classes this morning since I had a splitting headache. Mr. Cruz and Sister Felix gave tests today a si que de buenas me he salvado. I cleaned my shoes, polished silver and wrote letters. This afternoon I went to try on two new dresses I’m having made and they both look terrific. I went to Mercy’s house later. Tita Lol like the dress I was wearing. Mercy and I danced and talked about Arno. Dad and I ate supper home alone. Talked with Beli over the phone for a minute. Arlette and Monica get here in 5 days. Mom gave me a lovely blue rosary.



July 6 - Friday

I ate lunch in Mercy’s house today. Sister Andrea is so sweet and not at all like the monster they told me she was. I’ve eaten like a horse today. Mercy and I are so much together, they’ll think we’re sisters. I began observing today, no wonder I had all those pimples. We have Mass at school tomorrow. I’m terrified of Steno class and Mr. Cruz. My stomach gets woozy just thinking about it. I wonder how Jack’s party is going to turn out tomorrow. I hope its better than some other parties lately.



July 7 - Saturday - Tony Ortigas’s birthday

Jack’s party this evening was very nice. Mercy did not go. I wore my new white dress and it fit very well. Mercy can make me so mad - she can be so willful! (That’s my Mers!) Arno looked very handsome tonight. We went with Gerardo, Pichuco and Carlos G.G. in Paqui’s car. I greeted Tony and wished him a h.b. Carlos Garcia sat right in front of me across the room with Ginny. I danced the best boogie with Rafi Urure and Arno but he has his eye on Beli, Marisa and Marilita, so forget any dances with him, gal. I went home with Marimil. The Diggers are a heck of a bunch of nice guys.



July 8 - Sunday

I went to Mass at Ermita at 11. Arno and co. were at the ANC this morning. Arno looked so attractive. I was right about Marisa, Marilita and Beli. That boy can make me so darned mad. Luz was trying to guess who I liked. (How could she when I didn’t know myself!!) I went to see “The Parent Trap” with Mom this afternoon.



July 9 - Monday

With all these chocolates, Pepsies, pastries and whatnot my pimples are acting up again. Oh great, right before Arlette and Monica’s arrival too. I’m very down in the dumps these days but I won’t bore myself by feeling sorry for myself again, at least not in this diary.



July 10 - Tuesday

I got another A- in Steno this morning and wasn’t nervous at all. I wonder who Mr. Cruz is going steady with?! I had lunch at Mercy’s house. Honey was with us since Mom ate at another table with the Ancients. (Ohmegod! I called my parents and aunts “ancients” when they were in their 40s!! Isn’t 60 the new 40 now?) Mercy and I went to the ANC this afternoon. I put on my bathing suit and sat at the swimming pool. Betsy Brewster was there for a while. I don’t like that girl very much but its vice-versa anyway. Charlie Armstrong was there. Man, is he a honey! He said hello and we talked for a minute. Pichuco, Lita, Luli, Gerardo and I sat in the Sunset Lounge. Jay-Jay Po was there for a while too. Arlette and Monica (Oh, that’s what the A & M party was about that I mentioned some entries earlier) are supposed to get here tomorrow. I’m dying to see them. Freddie France called tonight to see whether I was going to the airport tomorrow and what time the plane was landing......



July 11 - Wednesday

March 25, 1960 - Arlette and Monica left for Switzerland and today they’ve come back. Mercy, Honey, Chiqui, Albert, Mom and the Sarthous went to the airport. The girls have changed. Monica has grown both upwards and sideways and Arlette is as pretty as ever. They were both dressed in blue linen suites. Tomorrow we’re to see them again. I’m so happy they are back but man, here comes competition! We saw Mitch on the way home from the Boulevard. He is some doll! I can’t wait for the party on Saturday. I know nothing exciting will happen to ME but I think everyone else will have a wonderful time.



July 12 - Thursday

After almost two months, I saw Morris again. Tito Ramon drove down Taft Avenue past La Salle and there he was, standing waiting for a taxi. I leaned out the window and shouted his name as we drove by. He flashed that wonderful, familiar grin of his. This afternoon, Arlette, Monica, Mercy and I went to the ANC with Tita Marianne. Freddy came later and Pichuco, Nacho, etc. Lita, Luli. Later Freddy drove all through Agnes Street looking for Morris’s house but didn’t find it.



July 13 - Friday

I finally got to talk to Morris. Dad gave me his aunt’s number and I found out he lives there. He called me up tonight and we were talking about Baguio, etc. He says he will go tomorrow to the party. I’m so happy I’m bursting. This afternoon Lita picked me up for a shower at Pamen’s house for Ana Maria Perez. We came home at 8:30. I did not want to tell Lita Morris might be at the party tomorrow. I don’t know how she would react so better left unsaid. Besides he might not make it.