What does it mean to truly be good? That question is answered by Claire Betita de Guzman’s new book, Good People.
The Premise of Good People
Set in multiple locations across Southeast Asia and Europe, Good People explores the lives of marginalized characters: from a thief to an influencer, from a humble helper to a wealthy politician’s family, who all struggle to navigate the thin line between survival and morality. The book examines what it truly means to be "good" when faced with the harsh realities of class divides, complicated kinships, and a desperate need for connection. Ultimately, these stories portray well-intentioned individuals who often do the wrong things for the right reasons, testing their own moral boundaries in a world that offers them very little.
Recently, Claire Betita de Guzman held a book talk & signing event at National Book Store’s Create Together Festival & Sulit Reads Fair at SM Megamall. During the event, hosted by fellow Anvil author Jen Recato-Daño, she discussed her latest work and the inspiration behind it.
Navigating the "Good and Bad" in Everyday Connections
Claire points out a fascinating human contradiction: we are incredibly vulnerable to one another every day (giving a waiter our credit card, following a stranger’s directions), yet we function because of an unspoken "immense trust." She discusses how being "good" is often the default setting that keeps society from collapsing, even though that trust is easily exploited.
Actually, our trust in each other is immense. We could easily do harm to one another, but we don’t because we trust that we won’t. It’s true—you give your card to service people, you leave your belongings.
Claire Betita de Guzman
Out of the ten stories and ten characters, who is your favorite?
Claire Betita de Guzman identifies two "favorites" from her collection: the morally complex Mr. and Mrs. Karangalan and her real-life pet cat, Ngisngis. She felt a deep connection to the Karangalans because writing them allowed her to process her frustrations with societal corruption and the "gray areas" of power, even as she lived a quiet life of "adulting." In contrast, her love for Ngisngis stems from the "wisdom of creatures," specifically the cat's ability to live purely in the present — a stark, grounding contrast to the overthinking and moral dilemmas that plague her human characters.
Are you defined by what you think you are, or what you actually do? I wrote this book not because I have all the answers, but because I have so many questions.
Claire Betita de Guzman
Who would you say are the "good people" in your life who inspired these stories?
Claire cites two people: her husband, who taught her how to love, and her son, Ulric, who provides constant support. She also credits her readers and "Street Team" with completing the author experience, as their reflections help her better understand her own work. Ultimately, she views these personal and community connections as the "good people" who make her writing possible.
Knowing what love is helped me write this book because once you know what love is, you also know what it isn’t.
Claire Betita de Guzman
How do you write a "bad" character without making them a villain?
Claire answers that it might be due to her age, but also says that she has an adventurous life. Her experiences as an OFW sharpened her empathy and taught her to be a deep listener. She believes that every "nasty" or flawed character is likely just someone going through a "bad season," operating under the philosophy that "hurt people, hurt people." Ultimately, she focuses on the extraordinary nature of ordinary lives, finding that the most compelling stories come from the "mundane" moments where humans are simply being humans.
It’s hard to write people who are in a bad season of their lives without judging them as a writer. If the reader doesn't root for the character or finds them "pure evil," they won't finish the story. We all have our own journeys. I always think of the quote: "Hurt people, hurt people." If someone is nasty to you, just think that maybe they are hurting.
Claire Betita de Guzman
Closing the Q&A portion, Claire reminds the audience to “live in the moment and utilize the present.”
I have a lesson for each one, but I hid them in the stories rather than teaching them. Forgive, nurture your empathy, and put yourself in other people’s shoes before judging.
Claire Betita de Guzman
If you’re looking for a book that challenges what it means to be truly good in a complicated world, pick up your copy of Good People by Claire Betita de Guzman at National Book Store!
Special thanks to Anvil Publishing and UNI Philippines for helping make this event possible
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