Twice Blessed was described as a “comic parable” concerned about the Philippines’ status, at the time of writing, as “a nation struggling to be born.” It was published when Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos were exiled in Hawaii, USA.

In this satirical novel, Rosca derided the Marcoses and exposed how some moneyed Filipino warlords preserve their status and power through clan alliances, corruption, and “fuel and favors” (i.e. bribery, sexual favors, and the like) generally known as gasolina in the vernacular meaning “gasoline” to “keep things running” as planned.

Hector needed to provide more “fuel” to keep things moving, a plan that required Katerina’s help, covert assistance from the United States and “strong-arm” persuasive manoeuvring.

[2][3][4][5] The Before Columbus Foundation seeks to recognize outstanding literary achievement by contemporary American authors, without restriction to race, sex, ethnic background, or genre.

[2] She went on to write Jose Maria Sison: At Home in the World, "To read Ninotchka Rosca's [latest is] not just to discover the controversial man, but to learn the political and economic history of the Philippines.