Cheyenne Suarez

Pinoy publisher honored in NY for championing children’s lit

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ABS-CBN Lifestyle

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1752040727571500060559_1202057235265217_5613053635014934851_n.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Lampara Books founder Segundo &#x27;Kuya Jun&#x27; Matias Jr. Photo from Lampara Books&#x27; Facebook page"/>Lampara Books founder Segundo &#x27;Kuya Jun&#x27; Matias Jr. Photo from Lampara Books&#x27; Facebook page Filipino author and publisher Segundo D. Matias Jr., founder of Lampara Books and Precious Pages Corporation, was recently honored with the Global Education Leader Service Award by the Association of Fil-Am Teachers of America (AFTA) during its annual Service Awards Gala at the Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel in Flushing, Queens.</div>Matias, widely known as &quot;Kuya Jun,&quot; was recognized for his decades-long contributions to Philippine literature and youth literacy, particularly through books that address social realities and promote reading among Filipino children.“We cannot deny that the country is facing a literacy crisis,” Matias said during his acceptance speech. “We must act — immediately. And part of that solution is giving children access to engaging books they enjoy reading.”As a publisher, Matias has drawn acclaim for releasing both popular and provocative titles. His young adult novel &quot;Mga Batang Poz,&quot; which confronts the stigma surrounding HIV, and the fantasy series &quot;Moymoy Lulumboy,&quot; about a kind-hearted aswang, have both been praised for blending compelling storytelling with social awareness.He has also sparked national conversation through his children’s books &quot;Ako ay May Titi&quot; and &quot;Ako ay May Kiki,&quot; which aim to teach children accurate anatomical terms. “Slowly, the incorrect terms for titi and kiki are disappearing,” Matias said. “No longer are they called birdy, pututoy, pempem, or petchay. They are now referred to correctly, in our own language. The stigma has faded. These books have helped prevent child sexual abuse, especially during the pandemic.”More recently, Matias partnered with literacy experts Victor Villanueva and Daisy Calado to launch &quot;Magbasa Tayo!&quot; and &quot;Let’s Read!,&quot; two series of leveled readers in Filipino and English. The books are grounded in the Marungko Approach and Systematic Phonics to help address growing concerns over reading proficiency. “Given the rising numbers of people who cannot read, this is not merely a crisis — it is a battle for knowledge that requires effective weapon,” he said.The AFTA award highlights Matias’ growing impact beyond the Philippines, particularly within the global Filipino community. AFTA is a U.S.-based organization composed of educators advocating for Filipino language, history, and culture in American schools.“I’m not breaking conventions,” Matias said. “I’m simply responding to the needs of Filipino children so they can grow into informed citizens.”With a career built on fearless storytelling and educational purpose, Matias continues to lead with Lampara Books’ guiding vision: To inspire generations through the joy of reading.

Filipino publisher Segundo Matias Jr. was honored in New York by Fil-Am educators for his fearless contributions to children's literature, literacy, and social awareness through books that empower and educate young readers.

Filipino publisher Segundo Matias Jr. was honored in New York by Fil-Am educators for his fearless contributions to children's literature, literacy, and social awareness through books that empower and educate young readers.

Pinoy publisher honored in NY for championing children’s literature

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Pinoy publisher honored in NY for championing children’s literature

ABS-CBN Lifestyle

Published July 09, 2025 02:03 PM PHT

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