Wholesome Conversations: Guiltless Pleasure and Saner Sexual Intimacy

On March 17, 2025, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs (OVCSA) brought together students for the event “(W)holesome Conversations: Guiltless Pleasure and Saner Sexual Intimacy” with the aim of fostering healthy discussions about sexuality and promoting a more mindful and wellness-centered approach toward intimacy. 

The program, attended by over 200 students, opened with a solidarity message from Sarah Elago, the first female representative of KABATAAN party-list and the youngest lady legislator of Congress, now serving as Gabriela Women’s Party National Vice Chairperson. She addressed the continuing struggles in achieving sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), pointing out that despite progress, systemic barriers remain—from the lack of access to sex education and healthcare to high rates of adolescent pregnancy and gender-based violence. “Hangga’t mayroong kapwa kababaihang nilalabag ang karapatan, lugmok sa kahirapan, at napagsasamantalahan, ay mayroon at mayroon tayong mas malawak na dahilan para lumaban,” Elago said, recognizing that conversations about bodily autonomy are not just personal matters but part of a larger fight for equitable access to reproductive healthcare and education.

Folowing this, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Jose Carlo de Pano delivered his opening remarks emphasizing the importance of creating spaces for conversations about overall health and wellness of students. He also reaffirmed the University’s dedication to gender and development initiatives, stating “Ito ay suporta sa kampanya ng pamantasan na may kinalaman sa lalong pagpapalakas sa mga proyektong nakatuon sa gender equality, gender development.”

Guided by the insightful expert, Dr. Rica Cruz, a renowned sex and relationship therapist and CEO of Unprude, along with panelists Lord-Art Lomarda from Love Yourself Inc. and Istifen Dagang Kanal from the UP Diliman Gender Office (UP DGO) and the HIV and AIDS Support House (HASH), participants engaged in meaningful, thought-provoking conversations that not only raised awareness but also deepened understanding of healthy sexual practices, empowering individuals to lead a more informed, confident, and fulfilling lives—free from guilt or stigma.

In her keynote address, Dr. Rica introduced sane sex, a term she champions over safe sex. She defines sane sex as something that “encourages individuals to make informed and considerate choices in their interactions, leading to more mindful and fulfilling experiences.” She broke this down into three key points: First, “Sane sex is more than just protection,” explaining that safe sex tends to focus solely on the physical aspects of intercourse, such as preventing pregnancy and STIs, while sane sex recognizes that “sex is about intimacy, it is about choice, it is about connection. It is about how you see yourself, how you engage with your partner, and how you shape your relationships.” Second, she stated, “Sane sex is emphasizing that individuals must understand both the physical and emotional risks involved in sexual activities. Lastly, she outlined that saner sex encompasses all aspects of responsible intimacy: “You use protection, you get regularly tested if you’re sexually active, you know when to consent, and you know your boundaries.”

Following Dr. Rica’s presentation, an open forum was held, along with Lord-Art and Istifen, where the participants were encouraged to ask any questions on their minds. Students raised questions on sexual health practices and the accessibility of testing and preventive care. When asked where affordable testing services could be accessed, Lord-Art reassured participants, “Sa clinic namin sa LoveYourself, you can go there, you can get tested, get consultations. Additionally, Istifen shared the services and channels offered by the Diliman Gender Office that students can access for their reproductive health care needs. In the panel discussion, Lord-Art and Istifen provided a reliable, intelligent, and safe space for students to discuss their questions. 

For many, like Jay-R Reyes, a student from College of Arts and Letters, (W)holesome Conversations was more than just an open conversation—it was a deep dive into the complexities of intimacy, both on physical and emotional levels.  

Rechilda Barretto, a student from the College of Fine Arts, echoed this sentiment but took it a step further. For her, the event’s real impact went beyond the lessons—it was about creating a space where students could engage in open, honest conversations about sexual intimacy without the guilt or shame. “Nagustuhan ko rin ‘yong part na sobrang open ng event, as they encourage students to open up and speak up about their thoughts in relation to sexual intimacy. Even if they wanted to remain anonymous, they can raise the questions they have on their minds freely. Creating spaces like this is definitely a step forward.”  

Closing the event, Mary Madelene de Borja, the Gender and Development Officer of OVCSA and the lead organizer, reflected on the ongoing challenges in creating safe and open spaces for discussions on intimacy and sex. Acknowledging the work still to be done, she called on everyone to take an active role in ensuring that everyone, especially young people, is informed of their rights, aware of their options, and empowered to make their own choices. She left attendees with a call to action: “I hope na when we go out of this room, we will be able to empower our peers … let’s foster a community that supports each other.”

The event also included free HIV testing and PrEP consultations, facilitated by HASH and TestMNL, reinforcing the importance of regular sexual health check-ups. This safe space offered invaluable insights about the importance of cultivating a culture rooted in respect, consent, and self-awareness, especially in the context of today’s evolving societal norms and conversations surrounding intimacy and well-being. 

 By redefining the way sex is talked about—through the lens of sane sex—(W)holesome Conversations empowered participants to take control of their sexual well-being with confidence and awareness.