Sixty Seconds to Earth’s Wrath features a close-knit Philippine community confronting devastating earthquakes and floods, revealing the resilience, courage, and family bonds that emerge in the face of disaster. What was the most emotionally challenging part of writing this story?

Writing this book has been the most exhilarating yet emotionally and mentally exhausting experience of my year. Professionally, throughout the writing process, I was fortunate to have someone who offered guidance and teachings, sometimes brutally honest feedback on every chapter. Although his comments would leave me emotionally distressed , I used it as an opportunity to write each part better. When writing high-stakes, emotionally charged scenes, my husband would remind me to give readers room to breathe and to pay attention to the pacing. 

The part of the story that left me most emotionally wrecked was the aftermath of the flood, when Jules and Marie refused to give up on their search for their son. Even as I wrote about their desperation and determination, I found myself deeply affected by their anguish. In my head, I still hear them: the screams of people desperately looking for their loved ones along the riverbank, sorting through mud and debris. 

Personally, the greatest challenge wasn’t just the storytelling itself, but learning how to navigate the emotional intensity of writing without losing focus on the responsibilities of everyday life.

What details did you most want readers unfamiliar with rural Philippine life to understand?

The daily lives of people in rural communities, though not all of whom live in poverty, are shaped by the cycle of generational penury. The lack of opportunities, the constant fear and uncertainty surrounding their children’s future, the limited choices available to them, and the absence of basic services are burdens no one should have to beg for to be given. 

Consider, for instance, the many people who die at home, on the way to the hospital, or before emergency responders arrive…if they arrive at all. In life and death situations, where every second counts, timely medical assistance can mean a difference between life and death. 

I want readers to understand that these needless sufferings are not simply the consequences of inherited poverty and deprivation. They are also the result of inadequate care, limited resources, and a lack of knowledge and foresight among those entrusted with leadership. 

From a distance, outsiders might mistake these communities for ignorant or uneducated. What they fail to recognize is the wealth of wisdom these people possess. An understanding community, resilience, and human connection that many in Western societies are increasingly seeking. They also know, in the midst of trauma and grief, a well-timed humor can sometimes offer the kind of comfort that words alone cannot. Above all, 60 Seconds to Earth’s Wrath celebrates the enduring Filipino spirit of bayanihan. The tradition of communal unity, compassion, and collective action in times of hardship. 

Which character surprised you most as the story developed?

The mayor. As a man born into wealth who, after decades of service, found himself trapped in a system where political obligations must come first before human needs. A system plagued by cronyism and political patronage pushed him into an impossible position, ultimately leading him to make a dangerous decision. 

Ultimately, what do you hope Sixty Seconds to Earth’s Wrath leaves in the hearts and minds of its readers? 

Irene. Irene is more than a stubborn woman with an indomitable spirit; she is a reflection of a strength that resides in each of us. She is the voice in our head reminding us to be kinder to ourselves and to those around us, even when the world is cruel. She embodies the goodness, the stubborn hope, and kindness that lie dormant within us all. She represents everything we stand for. She is me, you, and everyone else, regardless of race, social status, education, or cultural background. To possess such profound empathy and unwavering belief in others, to refuse to give up on them even when the world gives her every reason to, is a priceless gift we can give ourselves and others.

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