Makati City, Philippines – The Becoming: Philippine Sexual Wellness Summit 2025, held on September 14, 2025, continued the momentum of last year’s landmark event, proving that respectful, culturally-rooted, and intergenerational conversations on sexual wellness are possible in the Philippines. Organized by the Unprude Center for Sexology, the summit drew a significant crowd to Podium Hall and affirmed its role as the country’s leading event for sexuality education and sexual wellness.
To open the summit, Sen. Risa Hontiveros, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality and the Chairperson for Health and Demography, delivered a virtual welcome address emphasizing the critical role of legislation in creating safer futures for Filipino families, especially adolescents and teenagers.
A Landmark Event for Sexual Wellness in Southeast Asia
Becoming: Sexual Wellness Summit 2025 marked a historic first for Southeast Asia: a space where children learned about their bodies through age-appropriate play and activities, while in the same room, adults engaged in open conversations about sex, relationships, and culture. This intergenerational approach embodied the summit’s rallying cry for “Sex Ed for All,” highlighting that respect must be discussed across every age group.
“Some worry that talking about sex will push kids to have sex but that’s just not true,” said Dr. Rica Cruz, clinical sexologist and founder of Unprude. “Informed young people make healthier, more responsible choices. They learn to honor their bodies, respect themselves, and extend that respect to others. That is what BECOMING is for. We are not here to trample on anyone’s beliefs. We are here to build one shared goal: respect.”
Guiding the day’s discussions were hosts Kat Alano, DJ Tony Toni, and DJ Suzy, who led the audience through a program of keynotes, panels, and workshops that inspired lasting cultural change.
Teen and Kids Zones
A defining feature of Becoming Summit 2025 was the introduction of the Kids Zone and Teen Zone, making it the first summit in Southeast Asia to run age-appropriate learning programs for young people alongside adult discussions on sex and wellness.
In the Kids Zone, children spent the day with early childhood educators from Bebu Childcare Solutions and The Raya School. Together with Teacher Iya and Teacher Julia, kids ages two to seven learned body awareness through storytelling, songs, movement, and crafts. In this curated space, they were able to understand their bodies through joyful and curious, open-ended play.
The Teen Zone, in partnership with organizations leading community-based interventions on teenage pregnancy prevention and reproductive health education—including Roots of Health, Commission on Population and Development-NCR, partner brand Sinaya Cup, and the USAID-funded NGO Free to be Youth—guided adolescents through essential questions: What happens during puberty? How do I know if I’m ready for sex? What makes a healthy relationship?
By bringing these intergenerational spaces under one roof, the summit advanced its vision of Sex Ed for All.
Keynotes & Spotlight Talks
The day featured compelling keynote speakers and spotlight talks on sexual wellness and pressing issues like teenage pregnancy and risky sexual behaviors.
- Ana P. Santos, journalist and reproductive health advocate, opened with “Risky. Unprotected. Uninformed. The Kind of Sex Filipinos Are Having,” which served as a reminder of the urgent gaps in sexual education in the country.
- Summit co-presenter Kindred Health hosted a spotlight talk on HPV awareness and prevention, highlighting how vaccination and regular screenings are life-saving tools and how comprehensive sex education can help prevent cancer before it starts.
- Mr. Jose Roi Avena from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) delivered “The Youth at Risk – Understanding Teen Pregnancy in the Philippines,” providing a factual perspective on the dramatic growth in adolescent and teenage pregnancies, as well as grassroots interventions that have helped Filipinos nationwide.
Insightful Panels and Conversations
Throughout the day, participants engaged in five landmark panel discussions:
- Open Door Policy: Raising Kids Who Can Talk to You About Anything explored how to create environments where children feel safe to ask questions and share their curiosity about sexuality and relationships. The panel featured Lizzie Garilao, a registered psychologist specializing in healthy development; Teacher Ria Dela Cruz, the school director of The Raya School; and Andrea Tan, a certified sex, love, and relationship coach and founder of Athena Rising in Singapore. Moderating the panel is mother of two, and Soulful feast founder, Steph Zubiri.
- It Takes a Village: Community Approaches to Sexual Health Education highlighted how organized communities can be empowering spaces for sexual health. The panel included was moderated by educator and school administrator, LGBTQIA+ advocate, Mela Habijan. Panelists are Amina Evangelista-Swanepoel, founding executive director of Roots of Health; Gil Cadiz, Marketing Director of DKT Health Inc., distributors of reproductive health brands like TRUST; and Juan Mapua-Banal, CEO of Cross Education, who shared how faith, progressive education, and sex education can come together effectively.
- Boys Will Be Boys: The World Needs (More) Good Men. Where Do We Start? explored positive masculinity and how to build a generation of men who honor themselves and others. The conversation, moderated by Ronna Bonifacio, Editor-in-Chief of Smart Parenting, featured Iñaki Llamas of Conscious Alchemy, former PBA player turned yoga and breathwork teacher David “Spider” Webb, and Gino Luayon, Head of School at Domuschola International School.
- Breaking the Silence: Men’s Sexual Health Uncovered featured doctors and advocates who talked openly about men’s bodies, pleasure, and well-being. Moderated by content creator and comedian Macoy Averilla, the panel included Dr. Mark McKelvie, Chief Medical Officer of GoRocky.ph; Dr. Eric Mendiola, a urologic surgeon; and Dr. Deano Reyes, Medical Director at Hara Clinic, the Philippines’ first holistic gender and sexual health center.
- Any Age, Every Stage: Celebrating Your Sexual Self was a celebratory conversation affirming that sexual wellness is essential at every stage of life. The panel included interior designer and philanthropist Tessa Prieto, former Editor-in-Chief of Cosmopolitan and Marie Claire Myrza Sison, and nurse and entrepreneur Jessica de Mesa, founder of femtech company Kindred. This panel is moderated by Lily of the Valley founder, Camille Escudero.
Workshops That Inspire Action
The summit offered five dynamic workshops:
- Becoming Respectful: A Teen’s Guide to Healthy Sexual Boundaries, led by Unprude Sexology trainees, helped teenagers identify and communicate their boundaries.
- Becoming Authentic: Rewriting Stories of Sexual Shame Through Creative Self-Expression, led by Unprude Sexology students, created a safe space to address and reframe past shame.
- Becoming Open: A Playbook for Opening the Relationship Without Falling Apart, led by Unprude Sexology students, provided tools for healthy consensual non-monogamy.
- Sacred Somatics with Jellytime, led by bodywork facilitator Kate Moynihan, was an interactive session for young Filipina women to embrace their femininity and sexuality.
- Becoming: A New Voice, led by survivor, speaker, and advocate Kat Alano, offered a gentle and empowering space for survivors of sexual assault.
Community, Sponsors, and Raffles
Exhibitors and sponsors provided consultations, product demos, and services, including discounted HPV vaccinations. Attendees also had access to HIV testing and PrEP from The Red Whistle, and interactive booths from various partners. The summit acknowledged its co-presenter Kindred; partners Jellytime and Soulful Feasts; sponsors Laybare Plus, GoRocky, Hara Clinic, and DKT Health; and key supporters for the Teen and Kids Zones, including Bebu Childcare Solutions, The Raya School, Free to be Youth, and The Red Whistle.
Performances That Embody ‘Becoming’
The event concluded with electrifying performances by internationally-acclaimed choreographer and performer Nunoy van den Burgh, and the Philippines’ Drag Supreme, Naia Black.
Building a Movement
In its second consecutive year, the Becoming Summit has solidified itself as a platform for cultural transformation. By bridging generations, integrating expert knowledge, and creating inclusive spaces, it continues to advance the vision of Sex Ed for All and the message that Respect Starts With Us.
About Unprude
Unprude Center for Sexology is Southeast Asia’s first educational hub for sexology, dedicated to building a sexually respectful society. Through certifications, training, consultations and the Unprude App, it empowers professionals, educators, parents, and individuals to understand, navigate, and lead conversations on sex, relationships, and the self—without shame or judgment.
For more information, visit www.unprude.com and @unprude on social media.
