Chapter 21 New Experiences

8/14/2019 Chapter 21 New Experiences

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21

New Experiences

I worked off what I owed last month, and since this is now August,

Ive been with the Aspectos seven months.

Roman doesnt think Ill have difficulty getting the job with those

two men because they wouldnt be home by the time Id arrive to work.

Then Id be gone before they come home from their offices.

The men tell Roman, Yes, theyre still interested in having a

housekeeper. They need someone until their wives join them here in

the Philippines. After that, theyll each move to different quarters.

Even so, theyll want someone to work for them until their return to the

United States.

So Roman got me the job at the Embassy. The arrangement is for

the men to put their money in an envelope on payday and set it on the

dining room table in their apartment. Thats the way it will be. I cant

speak English well but can understand a lot.

My first week of work, I dont even see my bosses. Im walking

back and forth to the Embassy since Ill stay on with the Aspectos until

perhaps I can find a place near work. Maybe some other girls work at


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the same place that I can get a room with.

>

By weeks end, I meet three other girls who work on the other end of

the Embassy.

Theyre housekeepers, too, for men who are waiting for their wives

to arrive.

One girls name is Hedy Lamarr--like the actress. I tell her my

bosses wives are also on their way and will want someone to work for

their families. I get to know her well and learn shes from Pangasinan.

Then I tell her theres a family I know who went there.

She happily announces she knows this family--the sister of Santos.

Santos. The woman is a neighbor of her familys. She also goes home

from time to time to visit, so if Id like to go one weekend, we could

travel together on a Friday evening and return on Sunday.

It seems that again its Gods provision for me to be able to see

Carmen again sometime.

Hedy and I talk it over with the other two girls who agree to rent a

one-room apartment together. Our apartment is in a house where well

share a kitchen with the other tenants in the place.

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Weve seen two more girls on the other end of the building, but the


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four of us occupy one room large enough for each of us to sleep on a cot

at night. Then we fold them up in the daytime. Our rent will be five

pesos per month each, so thats really nice. At least we wont be

spending all our money paying for a room. Then the rest of our wages

will go for food and whatever we want to do.

After staying with the Aspectos, they only paid me fifteen dollars for

the extra month I worked for them. I lived there a total of seven

months. Now that I work at the Embassy, Ill earn seventy pesos every

month.Now thats big money!

>

About the beginning of the third week I finally meet one of my

bosses. When he stops in to ask how Im doing, I say, Okay.

Hes a really nice man, Mr. Julian. When his wife and daughter get

their visas and passports processed, theyll come here by ship.

Thats the extent of our conversation, so its all right with me.

>

A few more days have passed, and now Ive met my other boss, Mr.

Sadler. Hes nice, too, and tells me his wife will also be coming over

from the United States. Theyll need someone to work for them at that

time.

>


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I dont see my bosses much at all. They only come to the house

when they need to get something, and then they immediately return to

the office. We cross paths, so thats okay.

>

Im glad the girls I live with are nice. Besides Hedy, theres Mary,

Cincia, and Lourdes. We never have any kind of disagreement, so we

each think its nice that we get along fine. Were also glad to be able to

walk to the Embassy together each day. It takes a good hour to get down

there. When payday comes, we go to buy a dress and see a movie

together, too. We put the rest of our money aside for food. We dont

think to save any--just spend what we have.

>

The families of the men we work for will arrive soon. At that time,

theyll move down to the housing area southwest of the Embassy. Its

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still an hours walk from our apartment house, but we wont be alone.

We can still come and go together as usual. Of course, we could take a

jeepney, but wed rather walk. Its better for us.

At this point, Im still not sure which family Ill be working for.

In the meantime, my girlfriend, Hedy, is the only one working for

single men. She does housecleaning and laundry for three guys who


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dont have families.

I guess she could keep working for them if she wants. Because shes

like an older sister to me, and since we get along, I mention that Mr.

Julian will need a housekeeper when his wife and daughter arrive. I say,

Maybe you could apply for that job, and I could take the other family.

When Mrs. Sadler gets here, I could work for her.

>

Hedy came to tell Mr. Julian shed be happy to work for him after

his wife gets here.

He says hell keep it in mind--hell see what Mrs. Julian says when

she arrives.

I wont mind working for either Mr. Julian or Mr. Sadler because

they seem to be nice guys so far.

>

Its the weekend, and Hedy wants to see a movie.

So the four of us girls go to a love affair movie they want to see. Its

a story about some couple in love, and the girl ends up killing herself

because of jealousy. She cant stand the thought of losing the man, so

she kills herself. Its another one of these movies people seem to watch

over and over. I dont care for it, but the girls want to see it again after

the first showing.


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Im bored and want to get out, I say. Id rather go find

something to eat at a restaurant. I tell them about the place Lina still

works at. Maybe we can stop there for supper before heading home this

evening.

So we leave, but the people rushing in to catch the second showing

bump into those trying to get out.

Then while I pass through the door, I bump into some guy whos on

his way in.

He apologizes, and I say, Thats okay, it didnt hurt me. He did

step on my foot though. Then he asks my name and where we live.

We just mumble where our apartment is at and go on.

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>

Theres a knock at the door, and when one of the girls opens it,

theres a guy standing there. Its the one I bumped into last week at the

theater.

He asks for me, and when I go to the door, he shakes my hand.

Hello. How are you? This is Felix Tomao. Do you remember me?

No, I dont.

Do you remember at the theater? You were going out while I was

going in. I remember stepping on your foot.


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Thats okay, I say. At the top of the stairs here on the second floor

is a small porch with table and chairs. So I offer him a seat here where

we speak with people we dont know well. We dont want to bring

anyone into the apartment--they go as far as the porch.

Once we sit down, he starts telling me all kinds of things. Hes

Ilocano and comes from Ilocos Norte on the west part of the island.

Northwest from here.

We speak about the places were from since I was from the

northeast.

Hes a pilot and only has certain days off since he flies most of the

time. He does a lot of traveling, flying the Presidents plane.

I learn that Felix is quite a bit older than I am. So I dont know

what hes after. He seems to be a really nice guy though and asks where

I work.

I just got a job at the American Embassy as a housekeeper, and I

room with the other three girls here in this apartment. I say we walk

together to work and home--how nice it is that I dont have to walk by

myself.

Its good you can go together. I dont think girls ought to walk

down the street by themselves anyway.

I think its strange for him to say that.


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Then he tells me he rents an apartment with his cousin about three

blocks from here. He doesnt need his own place with all the traveling

he does. Once in a while, he goes back home on a weekend to see his

parents since he doesnt have much time to meet other people apart from

work.

For some reason the day he felt like going to the movies was the day

I bumped into him. After we speak at least an hour, he asks if its all

right to come back to see me next time he has a day off.

I dont know why he wants to see me, so I tell him that when

weekends come, my girlfriend and I usually go to town to the movies or

something.

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Its okay. If youre not here, Ill come back some other time.

Since the girls and I usually take turns cooking our food, about this

time they inform me they have supper ready. Theyre asking if my

I dont know, I say.

So instead of waiting for me to say if I want to invite him,

opens her mouth and says, Would you like to eat supper with us? We

have enough. Everythings ready, so you dont have to go anywhere to

Well, I dont know, Felix says, I just came to see Florence.

Here hes calling me Florence.


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The girls persuade him to stay, but Im very embarrassed about the

whole thing.

girls end up having a good time with him.

They like him and keep him talking--asking him questions about all

Hes a good conversationalist, so hes able to speak with them a lot,

too.

Im just sitting here quietly because to me hes just someone who

popped up at our door. Were here

laughing and teetheyre

saying.

They talk about some of their dogs and what some of their pets were,

all get laughing about my pig.

With supper over, we each carry our chairs from the kitchen to sit

And since its such a beautiful night, one of the girls says, Maybe

we could go out to the

Its a concrete wall off the sea--wide enough to walk along the top.

Its about a block from our place.

house.

All the sudden the girls agree well go and ask Felix if hed like to

So we get out there and stop here and there to look at things. The

water is reflecting the light while the others talk about people who come


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I guess some are Americans. I dont know for sure since Ive only

been in this part of Manila a short time.

The girls arrived here about a month before me, so theyve seen more

of the community. At least they knew where this seawall is. They even

know of some hamburger stand on Harrison Boulevard--the boulevard

near the seawall. Apparently, they go there for burgers and soft drinks.

Its one of their pastimes.

Its not long before we notice some people having a picnic out there

by the sea. Its nice just to sit and watch the water slop back and forth

against the wall while the tide comes in.

The evening has turned out nice, so its somewhere around ten

oclock before we head back to the house.

Once were home, the girls mention that we usually try to get up and

go to church since the following day is Sunday.

Maybe I can go with you sometime if Im not on a trip with the

President, says Felix.

That sounds great to the girls, and theyre thrilled hed like to go with

us. I know theyd probably rather have him be interested in them. Its

more or less what theyre thinking.

He shakes our hands goodbye and plans to come by again as soon as

he can.


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So the girls and I head upstairs where I take my bath while they put

their cots together. Once we turn in, theyre all lying there thinking up

all sorts of things theyd like to do the next time Felix comes.

Im really not really enthusiastic one way or another. I guess

theyve come to the point where theyre interested in boys. Although

none of them has a boyfriend yet.

Felix is all right, I guess. He's a handsome man--very light

complexion. I can tell he's had a good upbringing and is thoughtful of

others, too.

>

Its nearly the end of September and several weeks since I moved in

with the girls.

Hedy says she wants to go out to the province to visit her parents in

Pangasinan after work this coming Friday night. She asks if I want to

go, and that way she wont have to travel by herself.

I decided Id like to go after our first discussion when I mentioned

that my girlfriend went to Pangasinan.

Hedy knows Carmens aunt well since they were neighbors.

Im delighted to hear it because Ive been wanting to know where

Carmen is at, and now I have the opportunity to visit her.

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>

Its the weekend, and were almost to

Hedys telling me her aunt has two daughters. One is about the

same age as she is. Also, they went to school together.

family Carmen went to. Now I can visit her from time to time.

Its late when we arrive, so we agree to locate Carmen tomorrow.

This is a really nice province. I like Pangasinan.

few mango trees around here where Hedys folks are. Lots of other

If I didnt know better, Id think I was seeing Moms

plantation. Much of whats growing here is what we had back home.

Hedy and her mother spoke about Carmen last night--the fact that

my girlfriend moved here from Santiago, and that Mrs.

passed away.

So when we visit them, we confirm that Mrs.

Apparently, she was buried two weeks ago, but Carmens uncle didnt

the same day they die since theres a problem with them decomposing.

Theres no way to preserve them for any length of time.

because shes so full of grief. Shes still heartbroken, and its hard for

her to talk about her mothers death. I can understand that quite well,

Hedy says she doesnt mind since she can visit her family at the

same time.


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I tell her about the place I spent the first seven months working at in

wont you come with us? Maybe you can get a job where were working,

too.

Ilagan so

I can have a family. She says hes supposed to return for her shortly,

leave word with her aunt since Hedy visits her family sometimes.

home. Because her uncle still has young ones, she thinks shell go back

to the province to live with them. Thats what she wants to do--or what

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Im glad she has a place to go. She has relatives she can count on to

live with. So I tell her I hope everything turns out for the best for her.

If youre still here the next time we come, maybe we can go out and do

something together.

Yes, she returns, but I can sense she doesnt find the idea very

appealing. Shes still quite affected by the death of her mother.

Then I tell her Ill make sure to keep her posted as to whats

happening.

>

Hedy and I arrive in Manila around six oclock this Sunday evening.

Its nice to see the other girls.

They even have supper ready for us since they knew wed be back


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tonight.

We eat and are a little tired, so we all start getting ready for bed

around seven oclock. We want to be rested for work in the morning.

About this time theres a knock at the front door, but we think it

must be for someone else in the building.

Then another tenant raps at our door; she says we have company.

Who is it? we all ask.

I dont know. Its a man.

Lourdes is still in her clothes, so she goes to investigate. Then she

comes running back. Its Felix out there! You better put your clothes

on because he wants to see you.

I think this is terrible since Im ready for bed. Instead, I manage to

pull my clothes back on and go out there to the front.

Im sorry to come so late, says Felix, yesterday, some woman said

you and your friend may have gone away since you didnt answer your

door. Hed gone back to his cousins apartment and decided to try me

again this evening.

When we sit down, I explain about our trip to Pangasinan--that I was

able to see my friend, Carmen. Her mother has died, and shell be going

back to Ilagan.

Hes very sympathetic about it and doesnt know how hed feel if one


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of his relatives died. Nothing like that has happened to him.

I go on about my visit with Carmen all day Saturday and so on. It

was also nice to touch base since seeing her last in February. We rode

the bus together on the way to Manila. Now shell return home, so it

might be some time before I see her again unless I make a special trip to

her uncles province. Unless she decides to come see me.

Its been kind of a hard trip--very sad for me, I say, Carmen and I

used to do things together until she went to Pangasinan and I to Manila.

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Throughout the war we were very close and especially after 1

evacuated from Santa Maria.

Hes quite sympathetic about everything I say we went through

together and sorry about what happened to my mom.

To me, hes still a stranger but is very sincere in expressing his

sympathy. Right now Im kind of tired and not too much for having

company.

Well, I dont want to keep you up too long. I just stopped by to say

Hi. If its okay, Ill be back to see you again the next time I have a day

off. Right now its touch and go with the hours he works. When the

President has to leave--Felix must fly the plane. But hell be able to

come see me some evenings when hes not flying. Anyway, hes a really


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nice gentleman.

Thank you for your concern and for coming by to see us, I say.

He hopes hes not annoying us. However, since he doesnt know

anyone else, hes glad he bumped into us at the movie house. He needs

somebody to visit once in a while since he doesnt know anyone other

than his cousin.

Thank you again for your concern. I hope God protects you with

your flying.

Thanks for saying so. Maybe next time we can all go out to eat.

That would be nice. I know the girls will enjoy that.

I hope you will, too, Florence. Thanks for talking to me and letting

me stay this long. Id like to be a friend. He hopes to see me soon, so I

say, Okay. Then he shakes my hand and goes his way.

You mean you sent him away already? the girls say once Im back

in our room.

Yeah, hes gone home. I tell them perhaps the next time he

comes well all go out to eat.

Its obvious the girls look forward to it.

Great! says Mary.

But hes not coming to see you, Lourdes tells her. He comes to

see Florence.


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Ever since Felix began calling me Florence, theyre calling me

Florence, too.

Whatever. I dont mind much because I know what my real name is.

The following morning, Hedys up early. Lets all stop at that little

place there on Dewey Boulevard for breakfast. She says we can have

sweet rolls before work.

I know its that hamburger stand except they serve sweet rolls there,

too. Then once were dressed and heading along the seawall, I realize

its the first time were eating breakfast out.

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>

Our bosses informed us theyll be moving their housing sometime in

the near future to the other area west of our present location. Its

halfway past our apartment, so we tell them thats great. Well still be

able to walk along the sea to work. Our plan is to keep walking unless it

rains. Then we might take the jeepney.

This means well learn to do other things besides the cleaning and

laundry after their families arrive. Most likely well cook for them, too.

I think Ill enjoy that since I like to cook anyway. To me it would be

a great challenge to learn to cook different kinds of food--American

food


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>

Its the middle of October 1946, and Ive been working since August

in the Embassy, and Im grateful this work has provided me the way to

earn my living.I feel my friends and acquaintances have been nice to

pitch in to help me get started.

Roman especially was very kind and thoughtful to get me this job. I

know he's concerned that Ill be okay. Hes not a married man but a

caring individual. Now and again when I worked in his sisters home,

he gave me a tip. Just some money to go to a movie or something. Not

because of the money I feel he was quite nice, but because he's a kind

individual.

After having his annual physical with the doctor, Im saddened to

hear hes stricken with tuberculosis. Theyre required to have regular

examinations to make sure they dont transmit anything to people they

work with in the compound. Since discovering his illness, he no longer

works at the Embassy. Hes confined at home now with Aunt Mary.

Yet whenever I visit him at their house, he acts cheerful as usual as

though nothings wrong with him. The only time I recognize hes not

feeling well is when he starts coughing.He's quite caring, so I hope

people will return the goodness he shares with others. Hell be needing

much help soon. This guy that so graciously got the job for me is now


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dying with this disease.

Im sad within, but God knows every one of us and when its time to

get out of this world I know Roman will be around until God takes him

home. I told him if he ever needs help, Id be glad to come back to

help. I dont know exactly what I can do, but perhaps hed just like

someone visiting with him.

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Roman thanked me for my thoughtfulness and said. You come see

The Aspectos are the same way. They say I can visit often--that we

So I go whenever Im not downtown on weekends roaming with my

friends.

clothes in the windows.

We stand around looking at the way the things are put together. Or

seawall or something like that. Anything for the four of us

>

being celebrated. Supposedly this is when all the dead come back from

the grave to beg for food.

around the neighborhood for whatever is being handed out.

Some people give whatever they have whether it is tobacco or a

matchstick or other small item since

people are poor and havent much to offer. But they give something one


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I dont want to go around like that, I say.

Then they tell me Im chicken and no fun.

Then they go out the door, but no more than five minutes later they

return.

same thing, and we dont feel like going around with that crowd.

Apparently, some others are smearing things on the neighbors doors

wish to be involved with that.

So we all sit around, playing cards in the kitchen. After a while, we

with wood. Well need quite a bit of detergent to scrub those clean.

>

Tomao went to the province to visit his folks, but hes back on

his fourth visit to see me. He tells me he informed his parents that hes

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I really dont consider him my friend because he seems like someone

who just wants to visit somebody when hes not working. At least thats

the way I see it.

Hed like to go out to dinner sometime but doesnt want to give the

impression were doing anything immoral. People often think the worst

of young people, so hed like me to invite one of the girls along. He

wants to make sure our relationship is pure.

I know if I only invite one, the rest will be disappointed They think


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that each time he sees me, theyre all included in the whole deal. So

inviting just one doesnt seem right.

We sit here on the porch deciding what well do, and he starts telling

me how he feels. Hes liked me from the beginning when he first

bumped into me at the theater.

I guess now he's pursuing the feelings he has. Ive never thought

much about boys. Im busy being a young girl and dont have those

kinds of thoughts.

He even tells me hes falling in love with me.

I dont have anything to say because I dont understand half of what

hes describing. Nothing in my mind is about boys. I dont know. Ill

have to think about it since Ive never come across anyone like you.

Its never occurred to me to think that way about the opposite sex. To

me, boys and girls are just other human beings. Theyre just there.

Well, think about what Ive said. Id like to have an answer the

next time I come back. Then he asks Hedy to go out to dinner with us,

so we go.

Throughout the meal, whenever Hedy is distracted, he tells me what

hes thinking. Hes a guy to be admired. A gentleman. Hes one of

those who says Look, but dont touch. Its because he doesnt want

anyone saying anything bad about our relationship--that Im not playing


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around with boys. Also that he wouldnt harm a girl.

He wouldnt want the next guy who might come along to think Im

secondhand. And he doesnt want anything to happen like some guys

and girls who have wrong relationships before marriage. Then when

something goes wrong, they break it off. So well always take someone

with us when we go out. Not just anyone, but someone who can say

nothing went on between us.

I admire him for that. Hes quite a gentleman and thoughtful.

Actually, hes like a big brother to me. He wants to make sure my walk

in the world as a young woman would be admirable. Im very impressed

with his behavior.

He says his mom and dad will be coming to Manila sometime next

month in November. Maybe they can meet me. Perhaps hell bring his

cousin whom he lives with, too.

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life, mingling with other people, I cant behave as before. I have to

think of what this means. All the sudden a man is interested in my

it

never thought of having anything to do with anyone that way.

help because I dont know what to do.

in an. So I need Gods direction. Theres much for me to think about


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people. At the same time, I pray that my life will be pleasing to God.

were more interested in one of the other girls

still about how to survive.

over, she wants to be the one entertaining him instead. Well, each must

his own path, I guess. Shes from

here and a little bit

sometimes she mentions how she, too, wouldnt mind having a

shes thinking of visiting him each time she sees her family. From what

her. She has her mind set on someone whos not interested.

also has her own way. From time to time I see her cozy up to someone

So I think shes coming to realize that

of course, I really dont know what girls

Here I sit with Felix, wishing my Mom were with me.

her guidance from time to time especially since Id never seen people

know of some girls who

though. So Im ignorant about this boy-girl thing.

I cry out to

I still want to honor my mom

i

can only continue to carry myself in the way thats honoring to God and

The girls I live with dont have much regard for my way of thinking


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because this is just how I am. They want to go out dancing in places

they are not supposed to, too. Why go dancing with strangers you dont

know?

We were brought up differently. Theyre a little bit more wild than I

am, I guess, since theyve always been closer to the big city. They like

to cuddle with boys and stuff like that. Ive seen them when their

boyfriends come--just sitting in the boys lap.I dont understand that at

all, so I ignore them and go in our room when they have company. I

just dont like their behavior.

Im praying hard that God will grant me my desire in this whole

matter. Im young and not too familiar yet with the ways of life. So Im

just going along as usual, trusting God to take care of me all the way. I

know I cant go wrong with this way of thinking.

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Chapter 21 New Experiences

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