Fil-Am author releases ‘inspirational book’ for immigrants

Author Lia Ocampo worked at the US Embassy in Manila for 18 years. FACEBOOK

JACKSONVILLE, Florida – Filipino American author Lia Ocampo has released “What We Know for Sure: Inspirational Stories of Filipino Special Immigrants in America in the U.S. and the Philippines,” her first book.

Ocampo’s book features 26 colorful stories of former Filipino U.S. Embassy employees who provided long, faithful, and valuable service to the United States Government. They share the process of coming to America and the truth behind the hard work and sacrifices it takes to stay. It was written for potential immigrants and immigrants, no matter what stage of the process they are in.

Ocampo arrived in New York in July 2012, carrying two suitcases packed with framed pictures of her children, her resume, her favorite clothes, and enough money to get her through the first few months. She had spent 18 years working for the United States Embassy in Manila all for the chance to immigrate to bring her children with her. After eight years and several job applications and experiences, Lia is now a flight attendant and a budding inspirational author.

Lia Ocampo’s first book, “What We Know for Sure.”

“These stories comfort, inspire, educate, and guide any immigrant throughout his or her journey to the land of the free,” Ocampo said in a press release.  “This book is the result of what I saw and heard during the many years in the Philippines as I prepared to immigrate and the years since I came to America. It is a compilation of stories from myself and others who came to the United States and the lessons we learned along the way. My mission is to give hope, comfort, and support for future immigrant families as they face the challenges of immigrating,” said Ocampo.

The book is now available at The Bookmark (Florida), Avalon.Ph (online), and the national artist-owned Solidaridad Book Shop (Manila) that’s been operating since 1964. Readers can also purchase print and ebook copies online from Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Books-a-Million, Apple iTunes, ebookit.com, and Lulu.

Former U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, Harry K. Thomas, Jr. praised the book: “Readers will find their stories informative and heart-rendering. A testament to their individual and collective determination to build better lives in America for themselves and their families. They remind us of the importance of humility in starting over in a new land while at the same time demonstrating perseverance amid health scares, loss of family in the Philippines, and career challenges.”

The Bookmark is located at 220 1st. Street, Neptune Beach, Florida with phone number 904-241-9026, and website: www.bookmarkbeach.com.

Solidaridad Book Shop is at 531 Padre Faura St, Ermita, Manila, Philippines with phone number +63 2 8254 1068.

Avalon.Ph is located at Batasan Hills in Quezon City with online store www.avalon.ph, and email [email protected].