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Transforming lives through literature
At a time when the world grows noisier by the minute, Segundo D. Matias Jr. chooses to speak through stories—ones that empower, provoke, and protect. With the way he tells stories, this publisher and author, widely known as Kuya Jun, has become one of the celebrated Filipino writers.
Segundo D. Matias Jr. at the Service Awards Gala
Recently, he was honored with the Global Education Leader Service Award by the Association of Fil-Am Teachers of America (AFTA) during its prestigious SAGA (Service Awards Gala) held last May 25, 2025, at the Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel in Flushing, New York.
The recognition comes after years of unwavering commitment to uplifting Philippine literature and addressing the country’s most pressing educational challenges—particularly youth literacy. Through his work as the founder of Lampara Books and Precious Pages Corporation, Kuya Jun has built a publishing legacy rooted in purpose: Creating books that children actually want—and need—to read.
Far from playing it safe, he is known for publishing titles that push boundaries while reflecting the real concerns of Filipino readers. His young adult (YA) novel “Mga Batang Poz,” for instance, candidly tackles HIV stigma among youth, while his acclaimed fantasy series “Moymoy Lulumboy” reimagines the Filipino aswang as a misunderstood boy navigating the complexities of his identity.
Segundo's "Moymoy Lulumboy" and Severino Reyes Medal
Segundo's "Moymoy Lulumboy" and Severino Reyes Medal
These stories don’t just entertain. They open up difficult but necessary conversations—something Kuya Jun has never shied away from.
“We cannot deny that the country is facing a literacy crisis,” he said in his speech. “We must act—immediately. And part of that solution is giving children access to engaging books they enjoy reading.”
Even his children's book titles speak volumes about his mission. Books like “Ako ay May Titi” and “Ako ay May Kiki” challenge euphemisms and cultural taboos, replacing embarrassment with clarity and awareness—especially critical in child protection.
“Slowly, the incorrect terms for titi and kiki are disappearing. No longer are they called birdy, pututoy, pempem, or petchay,” he said. “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.”
True to form, Kuya Jun continues to evolve with the times. His latest collaboration with reading specialists Victor Villanueva and Daisy Calado led to the launch of “Magbasa Tayo!” and “Let’s Read!,” a series of leveled readers in Filipino and English that use the Marungko Approach and Systematic Phonics. It’s a response to the alarming rise in non-readers among Filipino students.
“Given the rising numbers of people who cannot read, this is not merely a crisis—it is a battle for knowledge that requires effective weapons,” he said.
AFTA, a US-based organization composed of Filipino-American educators, lauded Kuya Jun not only for his literary contributions but for the impact of his work on Filipino communities around the world.
“I’m not breaking conventions,” he said. “I’m simply responding to the needs of Filipino children so they can grow into informed citizens.”
For him, storytelling is more than craft—it’s service. It’s an act of empathy, an offering to future generations. And through Lampara Books, he continues to fulfill a vision that burns bright: To inspire children to read, and to remind them that their stories—and their voices—matter.
