Segundo Matias Jr., launches the HIV awareness book Mga Batang POZ

10/09/2018 09:30:20 PM

Acclaimed and best-selling author Segundo Matias Jr., has launched Mga Batang Poz, his new book under Lampara Publishing House, on the 28th of September 2018, at the Precious Events Center in Quezon City. The event also served as a platform to promote HIV awareness and prevention against MSM and other high-risk segments of society.

Matias initially authored the book as part of his graduate thesis in the University of the Philippines Diliman, where he came up with a literary folio that retells the accounts of a highly-controversial subject that is deemed taboo to discuss in public.

The pop culture book is the first Young Adult novel depicting HIV-AIDS in the Philippines as it confronts misconceptions about the disease; single-handedly being the game-changer on the literary front. Its story is about the struggle of four teenagers that are afflicted with the sickness. Each character embarks on a life-changing, and revealing journey as they find comfort and solace in each other's harrowing experiences in the process. In return, they build a strong bond of friendship while helping each other realize the beauty of life.

Matias considers his latest literary work, a personal advocacy to educate young readers about the stigma and discrimination against the known sexually-transmitted disease and at the same time, raise awareness regarding sexual health which affects the LGBTQ community at large. Especially since this is one of the issues to erupt with the advent of the popularity of social networking and dating sites leading to short time hookups.

"Nilalayon ng proyektong ito na makatulong upang unawain ang kultura ng kabataang miyembro ng LGBT, wakasan ang homophobia, at itigil ang stigma sa mga positibo sa HIV," said Matias. "Pangunahing nilalayon nito ang makatulong sa kamulatan hinggil sa Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) at Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), sang-ayon sa mga bagong pananaliksik at estadistika ng Department of Health."   

So far, the reception about Segundo Matias, Jr.'s Mga Batang Poz has been overwhelmingly positive, with key figures in the literary community praising the book for its provocative and emotionally compelling narrative. 

"Bawat pahina ng Batang Poz ay patalim na humihiwa sa ating kamalayan, ginigising tayo sa katotohanan na sa tuwing may kabataang nagkakaroon ng HIV o namamatay, kasangkot tayo," said the award-winning screenwriter Ricky Lee, who cited the book's effort for its incisive storytelling.

"Hindi ko mabitawan," added filmmaker and producer Chris Martinez, who has nothing but praises for the novel for keeping the readers at the edge of their seats. "Tinapos ko sa isang upuan. Masakit na masarap basahin ang nobelang ito." 

"Segundo Matias, Jr. is a bold writer. In confronting the alarming rate of HIV infection in the country, he zeroes in on youth and social media, young lives about to break into pieces. He lays bare the various shadings of recklessness, the unexpected comfort, the terror, the rage, and the desire to find true connections and real bliss,"  commented Kilometro Zero author Wilfredo Pascual.

Mga Batang Poz is available on Precious Pages retail outlets, National Book Store, Pandayan book shop and leading books stores nationwide. For inquiries you may contact, lamparapublishinghouse@gmail.com.

Author: slickmaster | © 2018 The SlickMaster's Files