CREATIVE writing professor Chuckberry Pascual unveiled the second part of his young adult (YA) zombie apocalypse duology, “Mars, Maraming Zombie!” on Feb. 24.
The book, which serves as the continuation and concluding sequel to “Mars, May Zombie!,” follows queer teenager Mars, one year after the events of the previous book.
“Nagtapos ang unang libro na puno ng pag-asa si Mars. Dito sa pangalawang libro, mag-uumpisa siya sa pagiging bigo at jaded,” Pascual told the Varsitarian.
Written at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, the first book sought to explore how the pandemic divided the population.
The sequel shows how political conflicts can also divide society.
“Ito ang sinubukan kong ilarawan sa parehong libro: ang realisasyon kung gaano tayo kahati, kahiwa-hiwalay, kung ano ang ilan sa mga dahilan nito at kung gaano kahalaga na magkaisa at magkaunawaan ang mga tao kung talagang gusto nating magkaroon ng pagbabago,” he said.
The sequel has two new characters, Bey and Lola Vicky.
Pascual said he has no plans of continuing the series, and that this will be the last part of Mars’ journey.
“Duology talaga ang plano ko sa kuwento ni Mars, kaya gano’n ang ending ng book one. Hindi kasi kasya sa isang libro ang buong kuwento nila,” he said.
The book was among the 20 recipients of the Kid’s Choice Award at the 8th National Children’s Book Awards (NCBA) in 2024.
Pascual is a resident fellow at the UST Center for Creative Writing and Literary Studies.
He is also a faculty researcher at the UST Research Center for Culture, Arts and Humanities.
