Palanca Award–winning author Segundo Matias Jr. officially launched Stigma: Mga Batang Poz 2 on November 28, marking the return of the world he first explored in his groundbreaking 2018 novel Mga Batang Poz. The first book, later adapted into a critically praised 2019 iWant series of the same title, opened long-overdue conversations on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) awareness among Filipino youth.
Published by Lampara Books, the sequel deepens that advocacy through the story of the second book’s lead character: 15-year-old Melody, a pregnant teenager living with HIV who finds safe space in “Pete’s Corner,” an online community of young poz (positive) individuals like her, including familiar characters readers first met in book one.
During the launch, Matias sat down with HIV professionals, including Dr. Rosanna “Annie” Ditangco, the Head of the HIV/AIDS Research Group of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine of the Department of Health, LoveYourself Inc. Head of Programs and Innovations, Mr. Danvic Rosadino, and other HIV awareness advocates. National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee also joined the discussion, lending his insights on storytelling and stigma.
Speaking about the responsibility of writing HIV-centered narratives, Matias recalled how emotionally heavy the journey had always been. He shared that the first case he encountered while researching was a 12-year-old girl living with HIV.
“Sa simula pa lang alam ko nang mabigat, hindi ko ma-describe. Kasi the first woman na nagkaroon ng HIV na nalaman ko is only 12 years old. Emotionally, talagang emotionally draining every time na maiisip mo yung nangyayari na hindi nalalaman ng lahat,” he shared.
“Kaya siguro mas nasulat ko pa ito lalo ay dahil wala akong nalalaman. Alam mo yung [para kang] batang nung nakita mo [yung mga nangyayari] ay in-absorb mo na lahat. My first experience was the 12 years old with the HIV.”
He also remembered walking into a Department of Health facility during his early research. Most wore masks or hoodies to conceal their identities, and that moment underscored the fear and stigma surrounding the condition. He admitted he was “clueless” at the time, which pushed him to study the subject thoroughly and handle it with utmost sensitivity.
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Matias also explained that the sequel’s release had been delayed because the manuscript needed more polishing, coupled with the Covid-19 pandemic. Once conditions eased, he finally felt ready to bring the book to readers.
As he reflected on the challenges and the impact of sharing bold stories, Matias noted that some readers and academics expressed concern about the explicit language and scenes in the first book. But for him, honesty was essential.
“Paano nila malalaman kung paano nagkakaroon ng HIV? Para malaman [nila] yung real information, hindi naman pwedeng i-sugarcoat,” he said. He added that research itself was demanding, especially when interviewing young case studies who had to navigate their own fears and privacy.
He shared that he is open to seeing the story adapted again, even onstage, saying theater could be another space to spread correct information: “Sana tuloy-tuloy pa rin at pag-usapan pa ’to ng relax ka lang, hindi yung matatakot ka.”
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Matias shared that Melody first appeared in the early drafts of book one but was changed after he was advised that male protagonists might be a better approach in initiating the story, given that more than 90 percent of HIV cases in the Philippines were male. Still, Melody’s story stayed with him. She was inspired by a real story of a 15-year-old girl he met who was preparing to have her baby tested for HIV, an encounter that made him certain that her voice needed to be part of the series.
“If you read book two, may teenage pregnancy story rin but with HIV. And teenage pregnancy now in the Philippines, I think we are the highest in Asia, isa [itong] topic na kailangan nating problemahin,” he said, noting how urgent the issue has become as the Philippines continues to record some of Asia’s highest teenage pregnancy rates.
Dr. Rosanna Ditangco emphasized the importance of having Melody in the narrative, pointing out that while women still account for a smaller percentage of HIV cases compared to men, infections among women, and consequently newborns, are steadily rising.
“I think it is very timely as well that the female character is included in book two, compared to the males in terms of the number there are fewer women that are getting HIV, but the number is increasing. And that translate to newborns who are infected with HIV. In the past, it is rarely being seen, but now it not uncommon. If you look at statistics, there are babies who are reportedly getting HIV. Every month, new babies. Women now are more than ever getting infected with HIV and the newborn. So, this is very relevant not only for teenage pregnancy but for women in general.”
Other advocates echoed this urgency. During the discussion, LoveYourself’s Danvic Rosadino spoke about the power and risk of social media in shaping public understanding of HIV. He stressed the need for factual information, saying that one irresponsible or impulsive post can worsen stigma. “Social media has the great power to change the flow of information. But with great power comes great responsibility. Kailangan i-ensure natin na tama yung ipopost natin. I think malaking factor ‘yun sa pag-destroy at pag-alis ng stigma lalo na sa panahon ngayon. Hindi madali maalis ang stigma, kailangan magsimula ito na tayo mismo ay umaaksyon para mawala.” he said, urging the public to be cautious and intentional about what they share online.
The alarming 500 percent rise of HIV cases among Filipino youth also shaped the conversation. Matias urged fellow writers, creators, and media workers to use their platforms responsibly, noting that storytelling plays a vital role in educating communities.
“It’s really alarming. Kaya ine-encourage ko yung mga writers na nandito na we have to spread the news. We as writers, media, and content creators, tayo yung nakakagawa kung paano siya babasahin, paano malalaman, at [gagawing] kaakit-akit para ma-inform sila.”
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National Artist Ricky Lee reinforced this idea, explaining how fiction and film create space for empathy, unlike social media where people often judge quickly without context. Through longer narratives, he said, audiences learn to understand characters, live with them, and recognize their humanity.
“Sa nobela, sa pelikula dahil mahaba yung tinatakbo ng kwento, natututo tayo na ‘wag mag-judge agad. Natututo tayong makipamuhay sa mga characters na ito at maintindihan sila. Sa pakikipamuhay natin sa mga characters ng pelikula at nobela, natututunan nating [katulad] lang natin sila at nayayakap natin sila. Ang natututo hindi lang yung utak natin, kundi yung puso natin. Yun yung tinuturo ng fiction, ng mga pelikula: ang matuto tayong magkaroon ng empathy at makilala sila bilang mga tao kagaya natin.”
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“People living with HIV, hindi sila lesser bilang mga tao. Hindi sila nagkaroon ng moral failure. Hindi sila unworthy bilang mga tao. Kagaya lang natin silang lahat. Hindi sila biktima, hindi sila kriminal. So, hindi sila dapat mahiya,” he added.
“Sana dumating yung pagkakataon na hindi siya issue ng ‘pagtanggap’ kundi issue ng kapwa natin sila. Kapareho natin sila, kabilang natin sila. Hindi kinakailangan tanggapin o i-tolerate. Kapwa natin sila,” he empasized, adding that the goal is not mere “tolerance” but genuine recognition of shared humanity.
Matias closed the event with a message urging families to normalize discussions about HIV at home. “Nandito na ito. HIV is there. Pag-usapan na talaga natin sa tahanan,” he said, stressing the need to protect the youth and support one another through honest, informed conversation.
Stigma: Mga Batang Poz 2 continues Matias’ advocacy-driven storytelling, offering deeper guidance on sexual health, practical tools like Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and use of contraception. While the first book exposed the harsh realities and stories of people living with HIV, the sequel pushes toward empowerment, clarity, and compassion, reminding readers of humanity needed to fight against stigma.
Segundo Matias Jr. is an award-winning writer, storyteller, and publisher, a three-time Carlos Palanca Memorial Award for Literature recipient, and the author of more than fifty children’s stories. His body of work continues to push for representation, empathy, and social awareness, an advocacy that finds new depth in Stigma: Mga Batang Poz 2.