America Beckons

Book excerpt: America Beckons features the common struggles of first generation Filipino-American immigrants - their dreams, their hopes, and their efforts to achieve a better life for themselves and their families. In a style that is both articulate and eloquent, Partible begins with a brief outline of Philippine history and an insightful analysis of the Filipino immigration phenomenon to the United States. Using his own background, upbringing, and youthful personal experiences as an example, the author presents typical stories of immigrants from the Philippines. It describes a one man's personal triumph to overcome earlier adversities. It includes stories on his successful efforts to bring family, relatives, friends, and others to share the blessings of his adopted land. Aside from a bountiful variety of delightful, inspiring, sometimes shocking, occasionally poignant personal experiences, the author eloquently describes in several chapters of the book his intense involvement in events of historical significance. The stories include the involvement of the author with the US-based Movement for a Free Philippines (MFP) against the past Martial Law regime in the Philippines. It also includes the author's role including inside accounts on the landmark civil rights victory of the Philippine-trained accountants against the California State Board of Accountancy. The decade-long struggle of the accountants and their eventual success to gain recognition in the California accountancy profession is considered a major civil rights triumph, especially for immigrants, in the struggle against institutional prejudice and discrimination in America. Other general and inspirational human interest stories are included in other chapters of the book. It is guaranteed readers will find America Beckons an insightful, provocative, informative, and deeply inspiring read.