When Saints Meet Skyscrapers: Author-producer Rossana Hwang releases new book ‘A Divine Comedy’
Many believe that formal education ends with graduation, and that retirement means slowing down. Businesswoman and former public servant Rossana Hwang proves otherwise. By putting a premium on education and embracing her love for learning throughout her life, even after a successful business career, she shows us that growth and achievement are possible at any age.
Author Rossana Hwang holding the book with the alternative title “The Lost Saints”
A visual storyteller and former barangay captain (earning the moniker “Kapitana“) of Brgy. Dasmariñas, Makati, Hwang graduated with an AB Economics degree from Ateneo de Manila University and joined her family business. She eventually transitioned into doing food business, while pursuing writing and filmmaking, which she just considered as fulfilling hobbies. These days, Hwang flourishes as a producer as she owns a production company named Kapitana Entertainment Media. Hwang’s story is a reminder that a curious mind and a willingness to learn can lead to unexpected, fulfilling adventures, even beyond traditional expectations.
Her newest project, the book A Divine Comedy, is proof to her go-getting spirit. It’s a journey into the past, with a surprising twist of the future. The story follows four priests in late 19th-century Philippines, caught up in a rebellion. Three of them, wrongly accused, face execution, only to be transported by a strange event to modern-day Metro Manila.
Imagine their confusion! They find themselves in a world they don’t understand, where they are treated as saints. With the help of a young seminarian, Marco, and his grandmother, Naty, they try to make sense of this new reality. The priests learn about their legacy and the impact their supposed martyrdom had on the country. As they explore this unfamiliar time, they encounter echoes of their past and are gradually drawn back to their own era. Once reunited with Father Pascual, who escaped their original fate, they use their newfound understanding to continue their fight for justice. The book concludes with a satisfying resolution, leaving behind a changed world. “A Divine Comedy” tells a story of history, faith, and the surprising ways the past can influence the present.
Hwang’s path to authorship is as interesting as her book. During the pandemic, she began writing as a personal challenge. This quickly turned into a passion, leading her to explore screenwriting and even produce her own independent movies and a television series, Pipol of da Barangay, which received a nomination at the 2024 Asian Television Awards.
She believes that good stories and talented actors, not just celebrity names, are what truly connect with audiences. Through her work, she aims to provide opportunities for emerging talent and bring her own stories to life.
A Divine Comedy will be available on Saturday, March 8, 2025. You can meet Rossana Hwang at the book launch at Fully Booked in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) on that day, from 2 to 4 PM. This event offers a chance to hear about her inspiration, ask questions, and get your copy signed.
The story will also be adapted into a film, opening in SM cinemas on May 28. The film features Jaime Fabregas, Edgar Allan Guzman, Gene Padilla, John Medina, Akihiro Blanco, and Carmi Martin, and is directed by Roi Calilong.
