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Thelma Villena

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Boy, Dream Big Kindle Edition

by Thelma Villena (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.7 31 ratings

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Powerful, thought provoking, and inspiring, Boy, Dream Big is the true story of one boy’s struggle to rise above life’s greatest challenges – poverty, loss, discrimination, and heartbreak – to provide a better life for his family.

From the urban streets of Batangas, Philippines to the sunny shores of San Francisco, California, the story captivates and entrances as it shares the deep, undeniable truths of what building a better life really means for the less fortunate and how the strength of the human spirit can persevere even in the toughest of times.

A love story at heart, Boy, Dream Big will move you, haunt you and sweep you through generations to bear witness to what life was like for young Florendo Villena, the courageous little boy who dreamed big.

"I know that dreams do not become a reality through magic. It takes sweat, determination, and hard work."

- Florendo Villena

Print length

178 pages
Language

English
Sticky notes

On Kindle Scribe
Publication date

May 17, 2021
Reading age

14 - 18 years
File size

5878 KB
Page Flip

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Enhanced typesetting

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Editorial Reviews

Review

★★★★★ Inspiring Story - Beautifully told
I really enjoyed reading this memoir which is a heart-and-soul tale of courage, commitment and perseverance. This book is beautifully written and tells the story of Florence Villena's life from the Philippines to the United States. No matter what the hurdle, Flor approached his life with faith, positivity, hard work, and integrity. "Boy, Dream Big" should give hope to those who are aiming higher for a better life. Also, the way Flor expressed his love and support for his relatives gave me a whole new definition of what "family" can mean.

★★★★★ Amazing true rags-to-riches story
An unbelievable true story of realizing the American Dream! Thelma Villena recounts the incredible life story of her husband, Flor Villena, who had a dream of moving to America and bringing his siblings and parents with him. Today, more than a hundred of his relatives are living their own American Dreams. Even more incredible is the way Flor and Thelma met, which will inspire you to renew your faith in love, kismet and serendipity.

★★★★★ Wonderful story about a boy who learn at young age to never give up your dream
Enjoy the quotes at the beginning of each chapter. It is a inspirational story to always look forward not backwards. It is a beautiful story of the Villena family and all families who work toward a better life for themselves, their loved ones, and their children. --This text refers to the paperback edition.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0957B51SG
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Villena Publishing (May 17, 2021)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 17, 2021
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 5878 KB
Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 178 pages
Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1737017008

Best Sellers Rank: #1,941,608 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #95 in Philippines Travel
- #103 in History of Philippines
- #300 in Historical Asian Biographies (Kindle Store)

Customer Reviews:
4.7 31 ratings

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Thelma Villena

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Thelma Garcia Villena was born in Manila, Philippines, and graduated from Philippine Women’s University in Manila, Philippines. A trained nurse with a bachelor’s in the science of nursing, Thelma immigrated to San Francisco from Guam in 1968 and began working at the San Francisco General Hospital as a nurse. She married the love of her life, Florendo Villena, on December 18, 1971, at the St. Gabriel Church in San Francisco.

Thelma moved to Concord, California, from San Francisco in 1976. She retired in 2001 at the behest of her youngest daughter, who finished her college degree a year early so Thelma could retire. All Thelma’s children are graduates of the University of San Francisco. Her younger daughter has a degree in psychology, while her son is a graduate of sports medicine, and her eldest daughter graduated with a nursing degree.

Thelma enjoys traveling, reading, and writing. Her first book, Boy, Dream Big was an Amazon bestseller and a tribute to her late husband Florendo Villena.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5

31 global ratings

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DM

A beautiful American Dream story

Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2021

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This story was beautifully told. It was a true "American Dream" story. I am a second generation American Filipino, whose parents are the same age as Florendo and Thelma (the author), and who also ended up in the San Francisco Bay Area, so this story was quite relatable. It really helped put into perspective the challenges many of our parents had when they were young and just trying to make a better life for themselves and their potential families. Florendo was a beautiful soul. What a sweet love story. Bravo! I'm really looking forward to reading the next book by Thelma Villena!

2 people found this helpful

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Yale Road Book Club

Inspiring Story - Beautifully told

Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2021

Verified Purchase

I really enjoyed reading this memoir which is a heart-and-soul tale of courage, commitment and perseverance. This book is beautifully written and tells the story of Florence Villena's life from the Philippines to the United States. No matter what the hurdle, Flor approached his life with faith, positivity, hard work, and integrity. "Boy, Dream Big" should give hope to those who are aiming higher for a better life. Also, the way Flor expressed his love and support for his relatives gave me a whole new definition of what "family" can mean.

5 people found this helpful

Helpful

Amazon Customer

I can't stop crying. Most beautiful and heartfelt memoir of a dream and love-story ever written.

Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2021

Verified Purchase

I usually don't write reviews and not because she's my godmother writing a story about my godfather's life and a little about my father, I couldn't put the book down. This book has a bit of history, lots of little love stories and seeing a dream fulfilled. It's very inspiring and brings you to locations, feelings and times in history of humble beginnings with vivid imagery. It's a wonderful memoir bursting with lots of love that will last for many generations to come. It's beautifully written and heartwarming.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Margaret Craig

Amazing true rags-to-riches story

Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2021

Verified Purchase

An unbelievable true story of realizing the American Dream! Thelma Villena recounts the incredible life story of her husband, Flor Villena, who had a dream of moving to America and bringing his siblings and parents with him. Today, more than a hundred of his relatives are living their own American Dreams.
Even more incredible is the way Flor and Thelma met, which will inspire you to renew your faith in love, kismet and serendipity.

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

A very good old friend

A wonderful and awesome read

Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2021

Verified Purchase

truly inspiring , heartwarming story to read. The author is very thoughtful and caring in every aspect of the book. She has a very unique way of using words that it made me feel that I'm in the story experiencing all the feelings and emotions of Flor. Can't wait to read another book of Thelma. Go for it my friend !!!

One person found this helpful

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Eugenia Joson

Full of vivid imagery as if I was there with the main character.

Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2021

Verified Purchase

The book is easy to read and fluid. It is full of beautiful imagery which spiced the hard but happy, interesting life that the author wish to portray.
It is a story about how ambition, hardwork, and love of family made the character the beautiful successful person that he was. It is a beautiful inspirational true story of love, persevearance, success and destiny. 👏

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

AFab

A little bit of history, culture and love story all in one!

Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2022

Verified Purchase

The book is a great read and I finished it in one day because I couldn’t put it down! The story not only gives a good background of the Filipino culture and history but encompasses the typical American dream and great love story!!! This would make a great movie!!!

Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2022

Verified Purchase

A very vividly written tribute to a loved one. Thelma Villena gives life into her narrative making the reader an actual witness to her husband’s amazing life journey.

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Boy, Dream Big Kindle Edition

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