March 14 - 24, 1962

March 14 - Wednesday


This has been one of those days when I couldn’t have cared less if this whole world blew up. I mean I don’t have a date for the prom, Dad and Mom were bugging me (I mean when I’m in a bad mood I wish they’d leave me alone. They keep asking me “Why” I’m feeling low until I feel like screaming but God forbid I get near them when they are in a bad mood and they get all worked up until its spastic!) So, this morning I was feeling so alone and sorry for myself I went to Rustan’s and bought myself an adorable denim skirt. (Just think - one could buy a denim skirt for 10 pesos in Rustan’s in 1962! I don’t think one can buy anything in Rustan’s for 10 pesos in 2006!) That perked me up a little, but still....I called Nena up and she couldn’t talk to me because she had to go someplace but she was just wonderful and said she would call me tomorrow. I talked to Magu and later I brought up enough courage to call Arno and ask him about the ball. His brother Paul answered and said Arno just had to leave but to leave my number and he would leave a message to call me up....by the way, I’m still waiting...Mercy called me up after that and told me that this afternoon, she Betsy and the rest of SSC clan were over at SLV at Carlos’s house and he came out and was talking to Mercy about the party on the 31st. Mercy said he was laughing and his dimples flashed on and off and that he looked out of this world. (Girlfriends really can be bitchy, can’t they - and we were 17!!!)



March 15 - Thursday

It’s sort of frightening to discover you don’t like your parents very much. Oh, I love them and all and I’d give up my life for them but its just that I don’t agree with them on anything. I also think that Mom and Dad shouldn’t have married each other. They are as different as day and night. (I wonder if this didn’t influence me when I discovered that me and Cliff were just as different? The fact that my parents stayed together and really loved each other (despite their arguments) until my father’s death is a testament to something.....) Anyway, this noon, Mom and I went to Carriedo and I bought 2 pairs of shoes, nylons, a bra, etc. We ate lunch at the ANC. Sam was there and he gave me one of his famous winks. At school, we spent an enjoyable time during afternoon recess in the canteen with Tere, Cora, Margot, Eileen, Cecilia, Tina, Alice, Ofelia and Suzzette. I never laughed so much in my life. They’re all a wonderful bunch of crazy yet wholesome girls and I will miss them a lot after graduation. This afternoon, Susan and Magu went to Wack-Wack but I didn’t want to go. Later Susan told me they saw Carlos. (I will spare you all my ranting about him.) Mom played mah-jong at Mercy’s house with Tita Pacita, Tita Lol and Tita Marina Asparren. Mercy asked me to come over but I had to wash my hair. Arno called up at 5:30 and apologized for not having called back yesterday but his brother forgot to tell him that I had called. I asked him about the prom and he said he’d give me the answer this evening and said he’d call back at 8 pm. Well, at 8 pm sharp the phone rang and he said he couldn’t go because his mom is grounding him because of his grades. We talked for an hour when Mom asked me to hang up. It was a very interesting conversation - 85% of it about him and Beli.



March 16 - Friday - The infamous Graduation Ball

This morning I left school at 11 and went to the ANC. Remi showed me an adorable yellow Jantzen bathing suit which fit me just perfect and is only 35.00. If only I could get Mom, or better still, Dad to buy it for me. I put on my old, dilapidated black bathing suit and sun-bathed from 12 to 1:30. It was very relaxing to sit at the lounging chairs by the pool with my radio and the gentle breeze of the sea caressing my cheeks and feel the sun bathing me with its warmth - conclusion - my chest and legs are sunburned bright red and hurt me terribly. Magu and Susan picked me up with Benjie and Fritz. Marina was already there with Pichuco. We sat at the same table as Billy and Cora. I danced a lot with Pichuco and Billy and Mari Pimentel (I think that’s what his name was), once with Bert Silos who was Margot’s date. Fritz Infante is such a nice guy. Anyway, I spent the whole night wishing Carlos or Arno were with me. My dress was a floating white dream and all I needed was a veil to look like a bride. (Yikes!!!!!) Later, Marina, Pichuco and I went to Marcos. There we met the Pertierra brothers and Jose Luis Marti. Jose Luis dances the cha-cha pretty well. By the way, I saw Nena this noon and we chatted a while. I also saw Joe Avelino who was at SPCM waiting for Maritoni. Tomorrow (or today, its 2:15 AM) is Marilen Rosado’s wedding. I don’t feel much like going but I have to. What a day.



March 17 - Saturday

This minute I’m so tired, sleep and down in the dumps I can’t write straight, my sunburned legs are literally giving me -----! Poor Mommy is suffering now because her legs are swollen and we don’t know why and Dad tries to ignore it because he can’t take her to Dr. Fores because he hasn’t paid the last bill. All I can do is pray for my poor mother and sometimes I’m so sleepy I forget. If I had one wish right now, I’d wish for a million dollars - half for Dad to pay his debts and do something for himself and half for Mom to see if the doctors can do something about her rheumatism. Dear Lord, can’t you at least give Mom and her health and Dad success in work??... This morning I went to the wedding and it was all very beautiful. The reception was at the Casino and all the Spanish people I know were there. George Gallent looked very handsome in a gray suit. Later, Marina, Luli and I went to the ANC. Arno was there. I ate lunch at Conchita’s house. (Pamen and Anamaria were also at the ANC). At 2 pm, Conch, Lita and I went to the Rizal to see “Around the World in 80 Days” a second time for me. Just as we were walking toward the Rizal, Spik passes by in his car with the Squares and they all wave. They left Peps at the Rizal and then left. Arno was with Beli and Eddie. Later Beli left but Arno stayed with Peps and Eddie. He and Eddie gave me dazzling grins once in a while and Arno looked back a few times. Eddie is such a doll too. We went to the ANC after the movie. Only Pichuco was there. At 8 tonight we went to school to practice for commencement tomorrow. Sister should think twice about making practice from 8 - 10:30. Sister Chantal is such a darling but Sister Angela.....hah! Tomorrow is our Graduation Day and somehow I can’t believe I’m through with High School. Its pessimistic of me but I see a dark gloomy future ahead of me. I found out that Carlos’s middle name is Chacote.



March 18 - Sunday - My High School Graduation Day

Mom and I went to the Baccalaureate Mass in school at 8 am this morning. Later the whole graduation class went to the new building for breakfast. All the Hi-Gayles sat together with our parents. Fr. Ferreira signed my souvenir book and when we were going home, we met Fr. Reuter with Mother Superior. Mom stopped to talk to him. Later we went to the ANC. Marina was there but she was with some other people and I was sitting with Arno, Conchita, Lita and Luli. Lita gave me a dresser set for my graduation gift. How sweet of her! The girls left at noon and Arno went to eat lunch. He came back later and we talked in the Teen Den. Mitch came in and said hello. We were talking about ages and Mitch teasingly asked me if I was 12. (He probably wasn’t so teasing..knowing Mitch, he probably meant it since I obviously acted like one now and then!) Arno asked me for an invitation to the Commencement exercises and promised he’d try to go. The commencement was lovely except for the time we had to all stand on stage. The SPC hymn was slightly off-key and I didn’t see any of my gang in the audience - such is life. (Actually, interesting that I don’t mention it here - probably blocked it from my mind that night, but my Dad couldn’t attend my graduation either.) I ate dinner at D’Marks with the parents. Uncle Arthur and Tita Lita are so nice. Their new baby is the cutest thing you ever saw. She promised to be a real beauty. Well, I’ve finally graduated from high school. It doesn’t seem possible that in 2 years my teen years will be over, a fact that hasn’t registered yet. No one cried at commencement. A new vacation starts tomorrow (The summer of ‘62). Let’s see how it compares to the last 3 years. Winnie Powell was at Di Marks. She is such an attractive, interesting girl and so charming to talk to.



March 19 - Monday

Today is the feast of St. John and Mom and I went to Mass at 11 at Ermita with Tita Pacita. Marina, Conch and Lita were at the ANC. Nick Warren was there. He was talking to me for some time and I was thinking how Margot would want to be here. This afternoon, Marina, Conch, Lita and I went to see “Light in the Piazza” at the Ideal. A very lovely picture and Yvette Mimieux is so lovely. The dresses both she and Olivia de Haviland wear are really lovely. We went back to the ANC. Arno was there but left early. Conchita and I talked about Linggoy and Carlos and find out that we are both very much love. Conchita gave me a nice bottle of perfume and Tita Pacita the sweetest little porcelain poodle (for graduation). I talked to Mercy over the phone and she keeps insisting that I go to SSC for college. The only reason that I’d go there is that I would be near La Salle! (Great criteria for choosing where to go to college, right? What an empty-headed addle brained person I was!!) And able to see Carlos more often. The Strads and Whirlpools were on TV tonight. Ramon, Jay and Fritz were very good. The heat these days is unbearable.



March 20 - Tuesday

My secret industrial powers sprang forth this morning and I gave my room a regular “spring cleaning.” By the time I finished, you couldn’t tell the difference between me and the trash can but my room looked like something out of House Beautiful. This evening I went to Bingo with Mom and Tita Pacita. I sat with Luli and Lita. Luli gave me a bottle of Desert Flower for my graduation present and Uncle Johnny Oppenheimer a beautiful picture frame. There were two attractive service men who kept looking in our direction. As I was going to the Ladies Room I bumped into Sam and as I was walking back to the Pavilion, there was a group of young people sitting in the Sunset Lounge. One young man looked familiar but all I could see was his back. He heard my hello to Sam for he turned around and it was George Roux! Mommy won 60.00 pesos tonight. This evening as I was getting ready for bed I found a mouse in my room and nearly dropped dead. Result - I am lying on a petate in Mom’s room writing this. I refuse to sleep in my new clean room with a mouse in it, period. Mom played mah-jong at Tita Lol’s house this afternoon. When I heard her arrive, I had the instinct to look at whose car she was coming home in and no wonder - my sixth sense must have kicked in - it was Tita Marina’s Renault. My heart leapt to my throat. (God, I remember that car vividly - it was maroon colored!) Even when I saw George Roux tonight it wasn’t the same as when I see or hear anything relating to Carlos Garcia. I only wish he doesn’t go to Spain this year.



March 21 - Wednesday

I helped my mother put away old books and stuff. This afternoon I went to the ANC. Conchita, Lita, Luli and I put on our bathing suits and sun-tanned. Charlie Armstrong was there - man, is he a dream. Jose Luis and Marina arrived later. I went home with Marina. Every day I think more and love Carlos more.



March 22 - Thursday

Mom and I went to the dressmakers this noon and later we had lunch at the ANC. There were many handsome service men around because of the “war games” going on. I went to Luli’s house this afternoon and later all of us (Conchita, Lita, etc.) went to Belen Faustman’s house. We had a nice time listening to the radio, playing with puppies and playing “Charades.” Our team won - Belen, Inna and I against Lita, Conch, Marisol and Susan D. I talked with Margie and Mercy over the phone this evening. Mercy borrowed my white pleated skirt. She also told me that Carlos promised his aunt that he’s going to pass all his classes by hook or by crook even if he has to take summer classes. Margie says Arno and Beli have come to the breaking point and any day now...Dick Chamberlain is the yummiest thing on TV!



March 23 - Friday

I made leche flan with Mom’s help this morning. This afternoon, Luli picked me up and we went to the ANC. We put on our bathing suits and sun bathed. Nacho was there and told me that Carlos passed all his exams except Chemistry. After swimming, Luli, Conch, Lita went and sat in the Sunset Lounge and I sat with Mom and Mrs. Urra at the swimming pool. Mitch Schlachterman was sitting by us at the next table. Nadia and her mother and brother were with him. This evening Mom and I went to see “The Young Doctors.” It was a very touching and moving picture. There was a scene about a premature baby’s fight for life and Mommy said it was a miracle that I’m alive since in the concentration camp there was no incubator nor modern devices to help premature babies yet here I am - when I was born I weighed only 2 pounds and was 3 months premature!. I feel that God let me live for some special purpose but I can’t seem to grasp it.



March 24 - Saturday

I went to the ANC at 11 this morning. Arno, Marina, Conchita, Luli, Lita were there. Arno had to leave early because he had to study for his exams. I told him I had heard he was breaking with Beli but he made no comment. I had lunch with Nacho, Linda McLaughlin and her friend Susan something. Ramon Faustman told me he was talking to Carlos (I guess, ALL OF MANILA KNEW I WAS CRAZY ABOUT CARLOS INCLUDING CARLOS - what a complete goose and ninny I was!!) yesterday and he said Carlos was wearing a sailor’s cap and white t-shirt. (Oh, god!) He was cracking jokes and making with the goo-goo eyes at all the girls at the Polo Club and that he was going swimming in the Stonehill/Brooks swimming pool. Anyway, I hope he’s at the Polo Club tomorrow and I don’t care if he’s with a million Bobbies, as long as he’s THERE! Tonight is La Salle’s High School Graduation. Kudos to Chiqui, Mari, Tony, Juaco, Jack, etc., etc.