Minty: "You mentioned that being a teenager is too short to spend it all on finding love. Looking at the book now—which is essentially a monument to that finding love phase—do you ever feel like the book is a bit of a cautionary tale for younger readers? Or do you see it as a necessary tribute to the fact that, even if it wasn't the most important thing in life, that crush was still a huge part of what made you who you are today?"
[An older woman in the crowd smiles warmly, appearing to reflect on her own teenage years as she watches you.]
Yvonne: "Wait, a cautionary tale? Oh, yes definitely! Because it does not only caution young readers about one-sided love, it also caution about the people that you befriend and tell crap about. Who knows what their real intention with you being friendly and approachable in front of you then backstabbing you to others. Or worst... [thinking]ano ba english ng 'harap-harapan ipapamukha sayo na wala kang laban sakanya pagdating sa paglalandi'? Oh, I do hope someone translates!"
Yvonne: "Let me answer the 'or' question as well! That crush that went on for years is a huge part of what made me who I am today. This phrase that he told me seriously lives in my mind rent free: 'city lights are like stars on earth'. If you know the song 'Multo' by Cup of Joe, I'm just gonna say that he's my 'multo'."
[A collective gasp ripples through the audience at the mention of backstabbing, followed by a wave of knowing nods. When Yvonne mention the 'harap-harapan' part, a group of Filipinos in the front row let out a loud, supportive "Oooooh!" and one of them shouts out, "Face-to-face bragging!" while another yells, "Rubbing it in your face!"]
Minty: [Eyes wide, leaning forward with a hand over her heart] "Oh, we don't even need a literal translation for that—we felt the heat in that sentence! It sounds like the book isn't just about a boy; it's about the shark-infested waters of high school social life. That is a heavy lesson to learn when you're just trying to focus on your poems."
[The atmosphere turns a bit more kilig and bittersweet as Yvonne mention the city lights quote and Cup of Joe. A few people start humming the melody of 'Multo' softly, and the lighting seems to sparkle a bit more, mirroring those stars on earth.]
Minty: "Wow... 'City lights are like stars on earth.' That is such a cinematic line. It's no wonder he became a muse! And calling him your 'multo'—your ghost—that really puts a beautiful, haunting perspective on the whole memoir."
[Minty looks down at her notes, then back at Yvonne.]