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Author Segundo Matias Jr. launches educational books, shares plans to release more socially relevant stories

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Gary Ann Lastrilla

<p>Palanca-winning author Segundo Matias Jr. highlighted the importance of reading as he launched the educational imprint Lampara Reads on the first day of the Manila International Book Fair 2024, held on Wednesday, September 11. </p><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_xh0zDSZBY/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fent-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A436188.90000000596%2C%22ls%22%3A435441.5%2C%22le%22%3A435818.60000002384%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="746" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Addressing the &quot;reading crisis&quot; that the country is facing, Segundo, also known as Kuya Jun, talked about the data reflecting the low reading rates of Filipinos. According to the 2022 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), the Philippines ranks among the lowest globally in reading comprehension.</p><p>“That’s really tragic. Imaginin mo, ‘yung teenager ngayon, hindi nagbabasa so anong future ng bansa natin? ‘Yun ang una kong naisip eh. Maybe ‘yung mga middle class, ‘yung nakaka-afford ng private schools, they can read, they are able to read. Pero paano ‘yung sinasabi nating mahusay, matatalino, may diskarte sa buhay [pero] hindi nakapagbabasa? Sayang,” Segundo, who heads Lampara Publishing House Inc., said when asked about how his newest imprint can help address the issue.  </p><p>Lampara Reads introduced its first batch of educational titles Magbasa Tayo: Marungko Approach and Let’s Read: Systematic Phonics, which consist of 300 books – 150 written in Filipino and 150 written in English.</p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fsegundo.matias.3%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02JEUjMB7S7h6jR9gV3X76bbTW38E7kvw6VXYPvyRBeTwXX4jz5Bm5aAPbuP9R3uMzl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="684" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>In this digital age, how can the youth be motivated to read? </p><p>Segundo believes that social media actually presents an opportunity to promote reading. “Nandiyan ang social media. Kahit anong sabihin nila na negative about it, nandiyan na ‘yan. Let’s make use of it na lang as a strength. So sa social media, dapat talaga mapromote ang reading. Iba pa rin ang pagbabasa sa libro eh. Napatunayan na ‘yan, marami ng studies na iba pa rin ang pagbabasa sa printed materials. But then again, gamitin na lang natin ang social media para mapromote ang pagbabasa. Ano bang magandang libro na basahin? Sana mas dumami pa ‘yung mga bestsellers kasi like TikTok, may magrerecommend lang, bebenta ang libro. So nandiyan ang social media eh. Nag-e-evolve ang buhay so ‘wag naman natin kalimutan ang pagbabasa,” he said. </p><div><a href="https://push.abs-cbn.com/2024/6/5/segundo-matias-jr-on-winning-severino-reyes-medal-showcasing-filipino-books-in-bologna-1658" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>READ: Author Segundo Matias Jr. on winning Severino Reyes Medal, showcasing Filipino books at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair 2024</u></strong></a></div><p>When asked about his big dream for the Philippines, the award-winning author hopes for the country to reclaim its strong literacy rates. </p><p>“My big dream for the Philippines ngayon ay bumalik ‘yung dating tayong namumuno sa buong Asya o sa buong mundo pagdating sa literacy. ‘Nung time ko kasi, sobrang taas ng antas. Isa tayo sa mga nangunguna sa mundo na marunong magbasa. Halos hundred percent ng Pilipino nagbabasa,” he said.</p><p>Beyond Lampara Reads, Segundo is also recognized for his socially relevant and courageous stories, such as the HIV-themed Mga Batang Poz, which was adapted into a series by ABS-CBN’s iWant Originals. He revealed that the second book in the series is finished, but the adaptation did not push through because of the pandemic. If given the chance, Segundo is eager to release it, noting that the sequel tackles other issues like teenage pregnancy.</p><p>He narrated, “Hindi lang HIV ang pinag-uusapan doon but ‘yung stigma. Tinackle ko ‘yung mga tungkol sa PrEP [pre-exposure prophylaxis]… Nilagay ko ‘dun kung pa’no ka hindi mahawa… And, may ininject ako na teenage pregnancy. HIV-positive siya. ‘Dun sa book 1 pa lang, nag-iinterview ako, may na-meet akong 14, 15 years old na buntis pero may HIV siya tapos ang worry niya [ay] kung mahahawa ‘yung anak niya… Nasa book 2 siya.” </p><div><iframe width="695" height="391" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/egst8mk2wAw" title="Mga Batang Poz Trailer | iWant Original Series" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Aside from these social issues, if he were to write another socially relevant story, what topic would he choose? He answered, “Marami. Maraming kailangan pag-usapan. May ginagawa ako ngayon na sana may panahon akong isulat siya. And then, isa ito [referring to the topic of ‘reading crisis’]. Gusto kong gumawa ng [kwento tungkol sa] isang bata na hindi marunong magbasa. Mina-mask lang niya. Alam ng tao marunong siyang magbasa so pa’no niya ‘yun kakaharapin, pa’no bang mabuhay ng hindi marunong magbasa lalo na sa social media. So gusto ko siyang gawin.” </p><p>Following the launch of Lampara Reads, what’s next for Segundo and for his publishing company? </p><p>“OA man sabihin but after the 300 books, we were talking paano pa siya mag-evolve. We want to help the Filipino child… Nandun pa rin kami sa golden circle na ‘yun na kung ano man, kung saan kami kailangan ng lipunan as a publisher… It’s always an advocacy for us na makapaghatid ng mensahe sa Pilipinas,” he concluded.  </p>

<p>Segundo Matias Jr., the creator behind '<i>Mga Batang Poz</i>,' talks about the importance of reading, as well as his plans to release more socially relevant stories. </p>

Segundo Matias Jr., the creator behind ' Mga Batang Poz ,' talks about the importance of reading, as well as his plans to release more socially relevant stories.