4-5 p.m. University of the Philippines military review of students; folk dances with sixty five couples, all students; the men were in camisas de Chino and the girls in lovely traje de mestiza. This was the first time I had seen these dances. In my day they would all have dressed in European costume and danced the turkey trot. This shows their new self-confidence or pride of nationalism. They are not ashamed of being themselves. All notions of their being Indios have been thrown in the dust-bin. It was very lovely and a big success. The American Vice-President and Speaker Byrnes went after the first dance –(most of us are quite exhausted by these festivities). The visitors leave tomorrow, thank God!! Myriads of autograph-seekers.
Cocktail party at Le Jeunes (National City Bank). Big crush with the usual traffic jam &c &c –N.B. when entertaining in Manila, look after the traffic problem first; give far more light on stairway & in house, and less glaring lights in the garden. Confusion existed as the original request for “full dress” at Malacañan tonight. Sam Gaches sent his motor to Baguio to fetch his dress clothes –then flew up there himself– now is marooned there by washouts caused by the typhoon!
This morning the newspapers carried a very gracious statement by Quezon that he was trying to persuade me to remain as adviser to the Government. He is always such a gentleman! (This was answered the next morning by an editorial attack on my qualifications in the Bulletin, and much criticism there of Quezon for making a “political” appointment.)
(This was the first anniversary of my wedding with Doria. Nov. 19, 1934 at Alexandra, Egypt.)
First Ball at Malacañan given by President and Mrs. Quezon. Big crush, and a really brilliant affair, with sufficient light in the ball-room. Doria danced with Phil Buencamino in the Rigodon de Honor; she was dressed in a green Mestiza costume with silver flowers. Well done. Home early and to bed.