Immediately after graduation ceremonies [from the Preparatory
Institute for Government Scholars to Japan], nearly two months of
confinement started.
The start of my vacation was not so good as I was sick with fever
from the afternoon of graduation until Tuesday morning.
On Friday, July 2, 1943, I visited the Benedictine Fathers at San
Beda. Father Eladio San Juan gave me a beautiful medal of Sto. Niño
de Praga. In the afternoon, I called on Fr. George Willman, S.J. at
the K. of C. Clubhouse in Sampaloc. He asked me to drop in at St.
Sofia’s Jesuit University in Tokyo.
Also on July 2, 1943, in the evening, I was treated to a lauriat
[Chinese banquet] at Antigua [Chinese restaurant in Manila]. I was
given a “spiritual bouquet” and a nice parting letter. Everyone was
so nice to me.
During the last morning of my vacation, July 3, 1943, with the
other Constabulary officers, we made official calls at Constabulary
Headquarters. Gen. [Guillermo B.] Francisco’s parting words were:
“Never forget you are FILIPINOS!”
At home, the family was gathered. Mama was all in tears when I
left her in her room. At 5:15 p.m., I said “good-bye” to the family
and then went to pay a short visit to the Blessed Sacrament. At
5:30 p.m., we arrived at Malacañan. A hasty farewell to everyone.
My last week in the Philippines was all right.