Alumna in Focus: Clarissa “Keesa” L. Ocampo (High School 2000)
Long before she became an EMMY® Award winner, founder, changemaker, and voice for values-driven leadership, Clarissa “Keesa” L. Ocampo was a young girl in prep class at Assumption, walking the tree-lined paths of San Lorenzo with curiosity in her eyes and kindness in her heart. She began her Assumption journey in 1988, graduating from Grade School in 1996 and High School in 2000 — twenty-five years ago. Her college years took her to De La Salle University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology.
Life had a way of bringing her back — not just to the Assumption campus, but to the values deeply sown in her during her formative years. These early lessons in faith, service, and integrity took root and grew with her into adulthood, shaping not only who she became, but how she would lead and create a legacy, especially as she entered motherhood. Today, as the founder of her own creative agency, Keesa lives out the Assumption mission through every project she touches — proving that formation never fades; it simply finds new ground to flourish.
AAA: How are you Keesa? How does it feel to come home (a few months from now) and celebrate your first Velada with your mom, Anna Lukban (HS 1975 – Gold Jubilarian) and your relatives (yes, family of gems!)?
Keesa: All good! Thank you so much for asking. There’s a sense of coming full circle and excitement to reconnect with my childhood friends. Celebrating this with my mom, all my ninangs whom I consider my aunts, and my relatives makes it extra special. It will also be the first time that both my husband and son will be in the Philippines so this is setting a benchmark for a hometown celebration.
AAA: Let’s take a ride down memory lane. How did your years at Assumption (starting in 1988, grade school 1996, high school 2000) shape your values and influence the person you are today? Can you give a few core memories that are very much noteworthy?
Keesa: The good fortune of growing up with the same girls all throughout your formative years comes with a variety of experiences. It was a mix of sweet moments, fun, joy, trouble, and everything in between. A few things stand out. I started Prep, fresh from California and knew very little Filipino. It was a challenge but I remember Manang Rita who was so kind and motherly. She helped wash us when one day, we nearly fell into the fish pond.
Keesa: My parents separated when I was in Grade 3 and I remember coming to school so sad. My teacher, Mrs. Patriarcha came up to me and asked me why I was so down. I always remembered that because I wasn’t used to other adults approaching me with genuine concern and it was the kindness I needed.
Keesa: High school was all sorts of chaos but I remember Miss Mitzi Mapa who gave us an opportunity to explore our creativity and leadership and it always stuck with me. I remember her encouragement and how she built environments of collaboration.
Keesa: Most of all, I remember everyone wanting to learn to play the guitar in high school and there were two girls in my class that were awesome: Leng Sindiong and Kat Gonzales. We would spend lunch breaks learning music and remembering this totally brings up a soundtrack in my mind.
Keesa: So much happened in parallel with our years at Assumption but even through the difficult times, there were remarkable moments of kindness, encouragement, and genuine care that were modeled with consistency and dignity.
AAA: Looking back on your journey from Prep to your 40s, what defining moment do you believe truly illustrates that Assumption’s formation is a lifelong mission rather than a chapter?
Keesa: Beyond school, we go through life and quickly realize that it’s rough. The hope is that all children are raised with the best tools and given the best possible start in life to approach it with a joyful heart, creativity, and a sense of how they can best contribute to a beautiful world. In the trying moments, we always revert to what we learned – the things that have been etched in muscle memory: prayer, trying again after failure, the humility and sacredness of learning, and the meditation of going through one day at a time with honesty and a commitment to doing our best possible good. In the beginning, staying faithful to these will get us by. Over time, we’ll be doing it well enough that we can lead and build. And the hope is that one day, we find ourselves in adulthood being able to do it so consistently because we became the women we designed – women of fortitude, soft power, and kindness.
AAA: With two Emmys under your belt from ABS‑CBN’s The Filipino Channel and Lifestyle Network, and an impactful career in television, what inspired your shift toward founding WeSparq — a positive impact creative agency — in 2020?
Keesa: I had 17 amazing years growing at ABS-CBN. I learned from the best in the industry and was given big opportunities. Between the end of 2019 through 2020, the network’s franchise was under threat and the pandemic hit, causing massive layoffs. In hindsight, the pandemic was the push I never knew I needed. It was a time of deep reflection and creativity. Because I had a bit of a runway, I was able to take the time to be more intentional about crafting the second half of my career.
I built something rooted in my highest ideals—a space for constant learning, bold creativity, and purposeful work. We champion diversity of thought and give young creatives a real seat at the table. I believe the energy you put out comes back, so we work with brands that lead with values and aim for real impact. Doing good and doing well aren’t opposites—they go hand in hand.
The way I see it, I’m helping build good brands for the next generation. I won’t be around forever but I hope that by helping redesign the rules of business, I’m contributing to creating a kinder, better, and more equitable world for my son.
AAA: WeSparq’s mission is to “design all messaging … with diversity of thought, experience, and origin, against a backdrop of kindness.” How does this philosophy connect to your Assumption values (being a Woman of Faith and a Woman of Action, plus Woman of Substance & Purpose)?
Keesa: What I learned at the Assumption is that faith is meaningless without action. The daily practice is done in small steps and with small decisions. Can we choose kind words in moments of anger? Can we honor people’s work with dignity and fairness? Can we complete our tasks and chores with a joyful heart? Can we hold ourselves accountable for our actions? The invitation of this devotion is to live out our values.
Having this mindset has completely changed the way we work at WeSparq whether we’re ironing out strategies or putting out fires on set. It is with intention, restraint, and kindness. Especially in the tough moments, I ask my team – how can we turn this into something good?
AAA: What are your dreams for the next ten years—both personally and for WeSparq—in continuing to spark positive, values-driven impact?
Keesa: Personally, I want to be able to spend more time with my family and do fun things before my parents grow older. I want to enjoy every minute of motherhood and family life, staying present and in the moment so I can be the best possible mother, partner, and woman that I can be. It’s so common to get caught up in worrying about the future, keeping our eyes on the next best thing but it’s such a GIFT to be fully present.
For WeSparq, the hope is that we continue to build. I’d love to create more original content that I can be proud of that can put women creatives on the map. I’d love to 100x our portfolio and give this to my son as a gift – the things we helped build to give you a better world.
I feel so rooted in the present and honestly, wherever it takes us, I’m grateful. I have the best team, amazing opportunities and meaningful work. On most days, I feel the blessing of being so mindfully present, unhurried, and purposeful. And I get to do this all from home (mostly). I haven’t really missed any of my son’s milestones. That’s my most awesome achievement to date!
AAA: What role does your Filipino heritage — passed down through your family — play in the cultural lens through which you tell stories and build brands?
Keesa: I belong to a political family and my Grandma used to always tell us that everything we do is for God and country so in a sense – my Filipino heritage is everything.
On one hand, I have a strong desire to do things exceptionally well because I know I’m representing my culture and heritage on a global scale. I know that I come from brave, strong, creative, and magical people and when I write shows or create content, I know my most important role is to open pathways to show that. I honor stories respectfully. I listen. I learn.
On the other hand, I also have a commitment to heal generational wounds and discontinue practices that shrink the self and diminish the female experience in both my personal life and the workplace.
AAA: As you look ahead, what kind of legacy do you hope to build not only professionally, but also within your own family or community (especially for the Filipino community and the rest of the women in your sphere)?
Keesa: I want to leave a legacy of joy and adventure. I want to be remembered as the one who was always up for a good challenge, who did things differently and did them well. When I’m older, I have a picture of what I’d like my son and community to remember me by. I don’t want them to say – she was strong and she persevered. I want them to say – she was joyful, whole, and was always down for a big adventure – from the desert to the board room and beyond!
So, so awesome, Keesa!!!
You have such an amazing spirit and a beautiful heart! You bring so much light into the world — you’re truly an inspiration to everyone around you. Having seen you grow — from being that little girl around us, starting school, growing into a wonderful young lady, and now blossoming into an amazing wife and mother — fills my heart with so much pride and joy. Your kindness, strength, and the way you lift others up make such a difference. I hope you know how deeply appreciated and loved you are. Keep shining just as you are — the world is so much better with you in it!