January 1961 cont.

Jan.7 - Saturday
I did go sailing after all today and boy it was really dippy! I could have sailed on forever and ever....I sat beside Nacho 1/4 of the time and when the boat tipped sideways I was very near him I just tingled all over!! Every time he looked at me with those blue eyes of his I just can’t seem to think straight. It seems that Nacho and Marina had a real cool time at a party last night so Nena tells me. Well, I’m beginning to practice terrific self control. I mean, when you’ve fallen like a ton of bricks for a guy and he doesn’t even know you’re alive well, after all I’m only human. Didn’t realize until today how much feelings I have for him. He’s just the well ...the dippiest...Nacho Nacho....

Jan. 8 - Sunday
Mercy, Margie and I went to Mass early this morning. Ate breakfast at home and then we went to the ANC. Vin Baretto was there and many other people including Sam, Kenneth, Juaco, etc. We had fun. I talked with Nena a lot over the phone. I was supposed to have a date with Kenneth this pm after a long drawn out argument with good old Arno, I didn’t go. Not that I didn’t want to. After all Kenneth isn’t exactly ugly, in fact he’s gorgeous! But...??? I went with Maribel, Nena and Inger to Maribel’s apartment. Jose Luis picked us up. Inger and I were dancing and, anyway, it was fun. Maribel Franco’s apartment is simply dippy. I told Nena and Inger I like Nacho but I think Marina has beaten me to home base. Nena is just the nicest person I know!

January 1961, continuation

Jan. 5 - Thursday
Sister Eustasia is getting stricter every day phew! I went to the ANC and Acme this afternoon to get something for Daddy who is home finally. I talked with Mercy over the pone this evening and we were debating wether or not we should go to the Casino tomorrow or not. There will be no jam session, so Marina says. Honestly! How kj can some corny people get! Mercy says that Saturday we’re all going to the carnivale and that simply dippy brother of hers might take Karen as a blind date but told Mercy that if he didn’t like her, Margie or I would be his date!! ME, A DATE OF HONEY’S????!!!! That’s like asking for the impossible, but anyway Karen is nice.
Jan. 6 - Friday
Went to Mass alone this morning and then I went to the ANC. Everybody was there including Leo, Inger, Honey, etc. I got so excited when I saw Honey!! My heart skipped a beat! This afternoon I went to the Casino. Honey, Chiqui, and Albert picked me up. I walked in with Honey and Nacho was there. Boy he looked like a million dollars. Everybody was there. I caught Nacho looking at me twice and Honey once. There was no jam session this year and all the teeners were so mad! I talked to Freddy Franco about Arlette. When I talked with Nacho I looked straight into his eyes. Man I just get jellyish. I saw many people I hadn’t seen in a long time. Freddy Hernandez said hello to me. Dad let me go sailing tomorrow but Mom doesn’t!! Honestly she doesn’t let me do anything different or exciting. I’m NOT GOING TO FORGET THIS! Boy those heavenly eyes of Nacho’s. That mother of mine, boy, just to go sailing she won’t let me. Riding home in a taxi is more dangerous than that! Carlos Garcia gets cuter every day. Nacho! Honey!

Looking for a miracle

These days, all of us baby boomers of post World War II Manila are numb and restrospective - I think we cannot wrap our collective heads around the fact the one of our most colorful friends, if not the most - Leo, is very gravely ill. The lastest word is that his bodily functions seem to be improving a little bit but being the eternal pragmatist, I am most concerned with the spirit and soul that was Leo. Miracles do happen and if anyone can make it happen, it would be Leo. But until I hear his voice asking me - "Oye Lea, que chismes tienes?" I can only believe the flesh is there, not that incomparable spirit.

Continuation My Diaries, Jan. 1961

Jan 3 - Tuesday
First day of school and I skipped class. Brought all things home from Tita Mariane’s house. Went to the ANC this morning and spent whole morning with Inger. Arno was also there and he introduced me to Kenneth Brimo. We shook hands. Ate lunch with Arno and Kenneth. Talked a lot to Inger about Butch, etc. This afternoon I went to the movies with Mom - "Tarzan" Boots and Snooky Taylor were there. They smiled at me. After the movie Mom and I went to the ANC. Saw Teddy Randazzo(?) - is cute but doesn’t "get me." Talked with Mercy a lot over the phone. She says that Honey really likes me only other people influence him. Tito Ole, Tita Estella and Victor visited Dad at the hospital this evening. Victor is so very nice but wait til he’s 16! Went to Bing with Mom, Margie, etc.
Jan. 4 - Wednesday (I find I don’t like ME very much)
Sister Eustasia did not excuse my absence probably thought I was lying. I was so angry. Margotin gave me the Falcons’ insignia which Danny gave her. She had the intention of burning it. I went to Tita Mariane’s home to get my ????? this aft. Test in History was not exactly great. I just hope I passed that’s all! Called Mercy and Margie this evening but they went to the movies. Marina called me up and said that Nacho is inviting us to go sailing (again) on Saturday. Funny, I’m not even excited about it? But not until I’m on the heat/heart? am I going to say anything more about it. I’m trying hard to improve my character but I’m not very successful, YET!

1961
Jan. 1 - Sunday
Happy New Year!!! I woke up at 9:00 and all Sans and I went to Mass together. Inaki kept talking in Mass, oh it was so funny! We had to leave early at 12:20. I was so sorry to go because I had a wonderful time! Ate lunch with Mercy. This afternoon we went to the ANC. Nacho was there! Also Karen, Linda, etc. We stayed there for an hour. Nacho was as usual picking on me not that I didn’t like it but, well...He walked Mercy and me to the corner of Florida & San Luis streets. He said he’s going to be Marina’s date to the Casino. As usual, Marina and her big hints!! Anyway WHAT DO I CARE????????
Jan 2 - Monday
I slept in Mercy’s house and we went (Mercy and I) to the ANC. Lita, Conchita, Nena, Marina, Tom Wells, Jose Luis were there. Kenneth Brimo was also there and Nena boy really laid the heat on! This afternoon , Lita, Mercy and I went to see "G.I. Blues" starring that living doll Elvis Presley!! He was at his greatest. I hope to see the movie again. We went back to the ANC after the movies - Inger was there. I got a Christmas card from Butch. Later Nena arrived with her handsome escorts. Nacho was there and Marina got excited. I didn’t give a hoot whether Nacho was there or not. Lita’s brother brought me home.

My Diaries

I've been thinking about doing this for a long time now but after seeing the movie "Julie and Julia" I thought I'd start a blog about my life in post war Manila of the 60's by sharing my diaries of those years. I started transcribing these diaries from the originals which I had kept all these years, in the winter of 2005 and by September 2006, I had transcribed, printed and copied them, included pictures and sent them to many of the friends who formed that special group of young people who grew up in a unique age and culture. I will copy and post a couple of excerpts daily and any of that crazy crew who appear in them and want to comment or add to the memory are invited to do so. I copied the pages onto my word processor exactly as I wrote them and my thoughts as I was transcribing them are distinguished in brackets and bold type. In my immediate previous posting I talk about our dear friend Leo Kahn who is gravely ill. The angels are hovering around him but he may trick them and us all yet by beating the doctors' predictions and sitting up and saying "boo!." I so hope so. This blog is dedicated to him because he first encouraged me to share the diaries and since he appears in them more often than not, this is for you Leo.