'Mga Batang Poz' sequel tackles breaking the stigma of HIV

“Stigma: Mga Batang Poz 2” by Segundo Matias Jr. is a new young adult novel that aims to deepen the conversation about HIV awareness and the stigma still faced by young Filipinos living with the virus.

It is the sequel to 2018's “Mga Batang Poz,” the first-ever young adult novel about HIV-AIDS in the Philippines.

"Mga Batang Poz" follows Luis, Enzo, Kenneth, and Chuchay — how they got diagnosed with HIV and their worries about living with the virus.

“Stigma: Mga Batang Poz 2,” shines more light on Melody, a pregnant 15-year-old living with HIV, who is afraid that her baby may also get infected.

Melogy was present in the first book, but was created into a major character in the second book to discuss females living with HIV, Matias answered GMA News Online during the book launch on Friday in Quezon City.

Melody is a way to break the misconception that it is mostly males who have the virus.

“Mayroon akong na-encounter na 15 years old na magpapa-test ng baby niya kasi may HIV siya, so that inspired me to write about her,” Matias said.

“Ang ginawa ko, ‘yung character niya, siya ‘yung thread. Habang kinekwento niya ‘yung buhay niya, kine-kwento niya na rin ‘yung apat,” he added.

In the new book, Melody joins the group chat Pete’s Corner, comprised of teenagers who are HIV positive, or poz. As Melody’s pregnancy becomes more visible, she must face the burden of the stigma while finding strength in the stories of Luis, Enzo, Kenneth, and Chuchay.

“So if you read book two, may teenage pregnancy story din, but with HIV. And teenage pregnancy now in the Philippines, I think we’re the highest in Asia. Isang topic na kailangan nating problemahin,” the Palanca Award-winning writer said.

“Book one is more of takot nila [sa pagkakaroon ng] HIV. Book two is basically ‘yung mga teenagers, pano sila kumilos, pano nila hinaharap na may HIV sila. Pano sila lumaban sa mga taong nakapaligid sa kanila,” he added.

Additionally, “Stigma: Mga Batang Poz 2” aims to be an important literary piece for public health in the digital age as the Philippines continues to struggle with rising cases of HIV. In June, the Department of Health sounded the alarm: HIV cases among Filipino youth is up 500%. 

Apart from being a reminder of the importance of empathy, understanding, and solidarity in combating discrimination, "Stigma" allows for Matias "to provide clear guidance on staying safe."

"I want to highlight the importance of PrEP and consistently advocate condom use for protection. While the first book conveyed the horrors surrounding HIV, the second installment focuses on empowerment and dismantling stigma," the author said in a statement. — LA, GMA Integrated News