Segundo Matias Jr. speaks during the launch of his young adult novel "Mga Batang Poz" at the Precious Events Center in Quezon City on September 28.
EVERY so often we hear alarming reports of the increasing number of Filipinos who contracted the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). A staggering majority of those diagnosed are young men who have unprotected sex with other men. And despite government and private-sector efforts to raise awareness and promote safe sex, more and more people are still being tested positive for HIV — 1,047 new ones in August alone, according to one report in October.