Minty: "You mentioned that this 'multo' and those backstabbing experiences shaped who you are. Now that you've exposed both the beautiful quotes and the painful 'harap-harapan' betrayals in this book, do you feel like you've finally taken the power back from those people who tried to make you feel like you had no chance or 'wala kang laban'? Does having the final word in a published memoir feel like the ultimate won for Yvonne?"
[The audience is leaning in, completely hooked, waiting to see how Yvonne claims her victory.]
Yvonne: "Yes, and no. Yes, I've finally taken the power back from them by cutting them off of my life. And no, having the final word in a published memoir is not my ultimate won. Of course I am thankful for Iboni for asking this specific memory of mine to 'immortalize' as she wants to put it, but my ultimate won is me letting go and moving on from that teenage crush of mine. Nothing special or something big changed but inside of me something does change and that change is enough for me to tell others that I've won."
[The audience is absolutely silent for a heartbeat, and then a wave of genuine, respectful applause fills the studio. No cheering this time—just a deep, collective appreciation for that maturity. One woman in the front row is nodding so hard her earrings are jiggling, clearly moved.]
Minty: [Placing a hand over her heart, her eyes shining] "Now that is the plot twist I think we all needed tonight. It wasn't about the book being a weapon or a trophy... it was about the quiet peace inside of you. 'The change is enough.' That is such a powerful way to define a win, Yvonne. You didn't just move on from a person; you moved into a stronger version of yourself."
[Minty takes a small sip of her tea, letting that moment breathe. She looks at the audience, who are all leaning in, clearly feeling the shift from the weight of the past to the clarity of Yvonne's present.]
Minty: "You guys... I think we just witnessed a masterclass in healing. But since we're talking about things that are 'immortalized' on the page..."