Meet the Cast of Mga Batang Poz

How can people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or “poz” move forward and live normal, productive lives amidst the burden of stigma and isolation? What can families and friends do for a loved one who has HIV?

To shed light on HIV and give hope to HIV-positive people and their loved ones, streaming service iWant launches its original advocacy series “Mga Batang Poz,” about the journey of four HIV-positive teenagers,   Based on the best-selling young adult novel by Palanca-winning author Segundo Matias Jr., “Mga Batang Poz” stars Mark Nuemann, Fino Herrera, Paolo Gumabao, and Awra Briguela. The six-episode series is helmed by the critically acclaimed writer-director Chris Martinez.

Mga Batang POZ tells the story of Filipino teenagers with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In case you didn’t know, the term “poz” refers to the person who is HIV-positive. Both the show and novel follows four characters: Chuchay, Luis, Enzo and Gab. In fact, they deal with their desires, sexualities, and the consequences of misinformation.

The series will take viewers to what HIV-positive people from different backgrounds face every day: questioning what it means to live after knowing their diagnosis, managing their disease via antiretroviral medications, and braving judgment from families, friends, and society. 


 

Mark Neumann

Fino Herrera

Mark plays Gab, a 16-year-old bisexual who gets entangled in a passionate love affair with his long-term girlfriend and guy best friend, while Fino portrays Luis, a 15-year-old Filipino-Chinese teenager who explores his sexuality, loses his virginity to an older guy, and eventually gets addicted to unprotected sex.

Raven Molina plays as the best of Mark Neumann

Chie Filomena plays as the girlfriend of Fino Herrera

Andew Gan plays as the older brother of Fino Herrera

Awra brings to life Chuchay, 15, an optimistic boy who grew up in a poor household and resorts to using sex for money. Paolo, meanwhile, depicts 16-year-old Enzo, a Wattpad writer neglected by his parents and sacrifices his health for a man who promises him love and commitment.

Awra Briguela

Paolo Gumabao

After finding each other in a social media support group for “poz’s” using their online alter egos, Gab, Luis, Enzo, and Chuchay decide to meet at a coffee shop. From there, they form a bond and start a road trip together to search for hope, overcome their despair and uncertainties, and accept their present situation in order to move forward and fulfill their dreams.

The Cast of Mga Batang Poz with writer Segundo Matias Jr.

The Cast of Mga Batang Poz with novel writer Segundo Matias Jr and iWant series director Chris Martinez

“Mga Batang Poz” is adapted into series by writer Jerry Gracio and is produced by Unitel, StraightShooters, Inc., and Dreamscape Digital. It also stars Yayo Aguila, Bobby Andrews, Joem Bascon, Gardo Versoza, Rita Avila, Mark Rivera, Benedict Campos, Raven Molina, Chesca Inigo, Patty Mendoza, Soliman Cruz, Tarek El Tayech, Dolly De Leon, Marina Benipayo, Chienna Filomeno, Ricardo Cepeda, Andrew Gan, Arnold Reyes, Angeli Agbayani, and Irma Adlawan.

The six episodes of “Mga Batang Poz” is now available for streaming on iWant app.