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Rica Vina Cruz, popularly known as Rica Cruz or Doc Rica is a licensed psychologist specializing in sex and relationship therapy in the Philippines.[1][2] In 2023, Cruz also became the first Filipino Consulting Editor for the Journal of Sex Research.[2]

Education

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Cruz graduated from the Ateneo de Manila University with a degree of Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling Psychology in 2015 and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Clinical Psychology in 2020.[3] She had her specialized training in sex therapy in 2015 at the University of Guelph in Canada.[4] She also acquired certifications in sex and relationship therapy from the Cambridge Health Alliance of Harvard Medical School and Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality (SSSS).[5]

Career

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Her psychotherapy practice started in 2015 at the Ateneo Bulatao Center[6] and later established her own private practice to cater to individuals and couples experiencing relationship issues and sex-related concerns. In addition, she served as a lecturer at the Ateneo de Manila University Department of Psychology from 2015 to 2020.[4]

She is a co-host of the talk show Feelings on One PH, a Filipino teleradio news channel by Cignal TV.[7] She also hosts her own show, Love and Sex with Doc Rica, on the FYE Channel of Kumu where she discusses relevant topics about relationships, intimacy, and sexual health.[8]

Cruz launched her own podcast, Conservative Ako, which talks about female sexuality with a scientific and academic lens, in 2019 through Pumapodcast. She also co-hosts The Sexy Minds podcast with Boys’ Night Out’s Tony Toni, where they talk about Filipino sexual experiences and behaviors.[9][7]

Aside from hosting, Cruz also has a column called "The Sexy Mind Answers" in Tempo News Philippines where she answers readers' frequently asked questions about love, relationships, and sex. Cruz also writes articles for Smart Parenting magazine's "Love and Relationships" column. She also contributes to lifestyle media website Metro.Style by ABS-CBN Publishing, Inc. and ABS-CBN Corporation.

Cruz is also the CEO of Unprude, a sexual wellness brand.[10]

Advocacies

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Cruz advocates for sex education for Filipinos[11] and has participated in campaigns for HIV awareness[12][13][14][15] and family planning.[16] She has also worked with UN Women and other NGOs to address gender-based violence in the country, and to promote gender equality and women's empowerment. She has launched projects on various platforms,[17] including her podcast, column, and retail brand related sexual health and well-being.[18][10][19]

Controversies

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In late January 2024, the Philippines' Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) banned her television program, Private Convos with Doc Rica, labeling it as "prurient" due to its explicit discussions on topics such as masturbation, anal sex, and oral sex. The MTRCB's decision came after objections to a scene in a separate TV program involving an LGBTQ couple, reflecting broader societal sensitivities.[20][21][22]

The MTRCB upheld its ruling despite appeals, emphasizing that the show's content violated the agency's standards.[23][24]

The ban was criticized by some publications, with critics arguing that labeling her educational content as "prurient" perpetuates shame and hinders open discussions about sex. She continues to advocate for comprehensive sex education in the Philippines, challenging traditional norms and addressing the stigma surrounding sexual health.[25][26]

Academic publications

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  • Cruz, R. V. & Caringal-Go, J. F. (2021). "Filipinos behind closed doors: Nonsexual and sexual constructs as predictors of sexual and relationship satisfaction in Filipino individuals". Sexuality and Culture. 25, 807–834. DOI:10.1007/s12119-020-09795-5[27]
  • Cruz, R. V. (2021), "The role of sex guilt as a mediating variable in the association of relationship and sexual satisfaction: An intersectional approach". DOI:10.1007/s12119-021-09912-y[28]
  • Cruz, R.V. (2021). "The wife, the mother, and the slut: sexual pleasure for the Filipino woman a grounded theory approach". Sexual and Relationship Therapy. DOI: 10.1080/14681994.2022.2031150[29]
  • Cruz, R.V. & Militante, K. (2022). "To give or to receive? Oral sexual activities as predictor of sexual satisfaction in Filipino men and women". Sexuality and Culture. 26, 1477–1489. DOI: 10.1007/s12119-022-09954-w[30]

References

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  1. ^ "Rica Vina Cruz, RPSy, Ph.D., ACS, ABS". American Board of Sexology. Retrieved 2025-03-01.
  2. ^ a b Salen, Laurd (2025-02-28). "Dr. Rica Cruz Wants to Normalize Sex Education for Everyone". mega-asia.com. Retrieved 2025-03-01.
  3. ^ Santos, Romano (2021-07-07). "How Culture Influences Filipinos' Fantasies, According to a Sex Therapist". VICE. Retrieved 2025-03-01.
  4. ^ a b Caña, Paul John (July 19, 2021). "I Met A Sex Therapist In Boracay. Here's What We Talked About". Esquiremag.ph. Retrieved 2025-03-01.
  5. ^ Caña, Paul John (December 1, 2021). "This Filipino Therapist Was Just Recognized by a Global Sex Research Organization". Esquire.
  6. ^ "Psychologist shares tips for couples struggling with each other amid quarantine". GMA News Online. April 15, 2020. Retrieved 2025-03-01.
  7. ^ a b Zubiri, Stephanie. "The Importance of Talking About Women's Sexual Health: Isabelle Daza, Ava Daza, and Dr Rica Cruz Weigh In". Tatler Asia. Retrieved 2025-03-01.
  8. ^ "Metro's new show to talk about relationships and intimacy" (Press release). ABS-CBN Corporate. October 6, 2021.
  9. ^ Blanco, Jana (2021-09-09). "Sex therapist Dr. Rica Cruz on motherhood and more | Modern Parenting". modernparenting-onemega.com. Retrieved 2025-03-01.
  10. ^ a b Castro, Mia (2022-03-21). "How To Embrace Sexual Wellness Into Your Self-Care Routine". mega-asia.com. Retrieved 2025-03-02.
  11. ^ Baron, Gabriela (2024-11-16). "Expert cites importance of sex education". Daily Tribune. Retrieved 2025-03-02.
  12. ^ "Healthy lifestyle advocated in Baguio". Herald Express. May 25, 2019. Retrieved 2025-03-01.
  13. ^ Alano, Ching M. "Mission: To curb rising HIV cases among the youth". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 2025-03-01.
  14. ^ "Durex launches "Always Come Prepared " campaign in Manila". Snaps and Ganaps. October 5, 2018.
  15. ^ "Urgent: Let's talk about sex". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 2025-03-01.
  16. ^ Baron, Gabriela (2024-11-16). "1K Filipinas risk lives annually due to post-induced abortion complications — expert". Daily Tribune. Retrieved 2025-03-02.
  17. ^ "Doctors offer sex education, health advice on TikTok". GMA News Online. March 2, 2021. Retrieved 2025-03-01.
  18. ^ Buid, George (2022-10-06). "Filipino doctor advocates sex positivity among women with her own sex store". Orato. Retrieved 2025-03-01.
  19. ^ Lariosa, Saab (2024-10-16). "Let's talk about sex: Bumble and Sexologist Dr. Rica Cruz on how to own your intimacy". RAPPLER. Retrieved 2025-03-02.
  20. ^ Nicolas, Jino (2024-01-31). "MTRCB bans Private Convos with Doc Rica". BusinessWorld Online. Retrieved 2025-03-01.
  21. ^ Pasajol, Anne (2024-01-30). "MTRCB bans 'Private Convos with Doc Rica' from airing". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 2025-03-01.
  22. ^ "Let's talk about sex: Philippine sexologist faces uphill task after TV show ban". South China Morning Post. 2024-02-24. Retrieved 2025-03-02.
  23. ^ Evangelista, Jessica Ann (2024-03-14). "MTRCB denies appeal to reverse ruling on 'Private Convos with Doc Rica'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 2025-03-01.
  24. ^ "MTRCB Denies Appeal on Private Convos' Suspension". pep.ph. March 14, 2024.
  25. ^ Henares, Tim (2024-02-06). "Why Banning 'Private Convos With Doc Rica' Is A Terrible Idea". 8List.ph. Retrieved 2025-03-02.
  26. ^ "The MTRCB Has Banned the Talk Show of a Licensed Sex Therapist from Airing". Esquiremag.ph. Retrieved 2025-03-02.
  27. ^ Cruz, Rica Vina; Caringal-Go, Jaimee Felice (2021-06-01). "Filipinos Behind Closed Doors: Nonsexual and Sexual Constructs as Predictors of Sexual and Relationship Satisfaction in Filipino Individuals". Sexuality & Culture. 25 (3): 807–834. doi:10.1007/s12119-020-09795-5. ISSN 1936-4822.
  28. ^ Cruz, Rica Vina (April 1, 2022). "The Role of Sex Guilt as a Mediating Variable in the Association of Relationship and Sexual Satisfaction: An Intersectional Approach". Sexuality & Culture. 26 (2): 616–639. doi:10.1007/s12119-021-09912-y. ISSN 1936-4822.
  29. ^ Cruz, Rica Vina (2024-04-02). "The wife, the mother, and the slut: sexual pleasure for the Filipino woman a grounded theory approach". Sexual and Relationship Therapy. 39 (2): 323–358. doi:10.1080/14681994.2022.2031150. ISSN 1468-1994.
  30. ^ Cruz, Rica Vina; Militante, Kristin (2022-08-01). "To Give or To Receive? Oral Sexual Activities as Predictor of Sexual Satisfaction in Filipino Men and Women". Sexuality & Culture. 26 (4): 1477–1489. doi:10.1007/s12119-022-09954-w. ISSN 1936-4822.
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