Palanca Award-winning author Segundo Matias Jr. has released Stigma: Batang Poz 2, the highly anticipated sequel to his groundbreaking 2018 novel, Mga Batang Poz. The new installment continues to shed light on the experiences of young Filipinos living with HIV, exploring survival, solidarity, and hope amid persistent stigma.
In this follow-up, fifteen-year-old Melody joins a group chat called “Pete’s Corner,” a digital refuge for teenagers living with HIV. As her pregnancy becomes more visible, Melody navigates the weight of prejudice while drawing strength from the stories of other poz youth, including characters from the first novel. Matias shares, “Through Melody’s experiences, the novel discusses both teenage pregnancy and living with HIV, offering lessons that are especially relevant for young readers.”
The original Batang Poz was hailed as the first young adult novel about HIV-AIDS in the Philippines and inspired a 2019 iWant miniseries starring Paolo Gumabao, Mark Neumann, and Awra Briguela. With Stigma, Matias moves from portraying the horrors of HIV to empowering readers with practical guidance on sexual health, including PrEP and consistent condom use, while dismantling social stigma.
Early praise has been resounding. Essayist Wifredo Pascual commends Matias for his “solid and meaningful” storytelling, while poet and educator Charlie Samuya-Veric notes the author’s courage in tackling taboo subjects and expanding the horizon for YA writers. Award-winning author Mark Angeles highlights how the series opens conversations about often-overlooked digital subcultures and the realities of PLHIV youth.
Matias hopes the novel will inspire readers to face life’s challenges with courage. “Health hubs have told me more people are getting tested because they read Mga Batang Poz. That alone makes me happy,” he shares.
Stigma: Batang Poz 2 will be available soon. Segundo Matias Jr. is an acclaimed storyteller, award-winning author, and publisher with multiple Palanca Awards and over fifty works for children and young adults.
