Ong intended An Embarrassment of Riches as a novel that presents a Southeast Asian perspective, rather than a Hispanic or Latin American viewpoint.

[4] An Embarrassment of Riches is a political, thriller-filled whodunit,[5] and satirical work of fiction that serves as a parody to the events occurring in the Philippines, through the author’s creation and utilization of the imaginary island named Victorianas.

Sy – a middle aged woman belonging to the 20- to 30-year-old generation - wants Tantivo to manage her presidential campaign, timed after the demise of General Azurin, the dictatorial leader of Victorianas.

Then, Alfonso Ong – a wealthy, shrewd and shady character – builds his alternative city of the future on an island off the coast of Victorianas.

The novel ends with Tantivo leaving Victorianas – going back in exile – but with a renewed sense and sagacity after the altercations and travails he experienced in the island nation.

Ong created an alternate country – one smaller than an archipelago, and with a different name – to represent the Philippines and its social, economic, and political situation and atmosphere.

[5] The strength of An Embarrassment of Riches as a novel is that it did not "essentialize", simplify, and "exoticize" the Philippines (even if represented as the "Victorianas", the nation of the "Victorianos") and the Filipino experience.