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With dating and hookup apps on the rise, more and more Filipinos are now engaging in "Hookup Culture" as casual sexual encounters become commonplace.

As our attitude towards sex change, many are left wondering about what hookup culture is like in the Philippines.

According to Rica Cruz, a sex therapist and educator from Ateneo de Manila University, hookup culture is defined as a lifestyle where one has multiple sex partners.

"Dahil mas madali na sa'tin makakilala ng ibang tao, mas madali na rin tayong makahanap ng ibang tao to have sex with. They just go around having different sexual partners and that's what constitutes hookup culture," she said.

Be responsible for your own body

If one wishes to take part in this so-called culture, Rica stresses to prioritize one's safety above all else. "Regardless of your values and beliefs, it's important to keep in mind, [to] protect yourselves. So kailangan alam mo kung papaano mapoprotektahan ang sarili mo, to be responsible for your own body.

"Pangalawa is you have to know and be sure that before you get into that sexual encounter, or any sexual relationship ay ready ka dito at buo ang loob mo na pumasok sa ganitong klaseng relasyon.

"At pangatlo, para makatulong na mabuo ang loob mo, kailangan din sigurado ka that you and your sexual partner respect each other."

However, despite the growing number of people having casual encounters, Rica knows that this kind of life isn't for everyone, specifically for those who are really looking for their significant other.

According to her, "Kung kunyari, isa kang tao na natanggap mo na 'yung ganoong lifestyle [hookup culture], sa tingin mo ay 'Ito na lang 'yung para sa'kin, hindi na ako makikipag-commitment,' then you're fine.

"Pero kung ikaw ay isang tao na naghahanap ng long-term relationship, to be with someone to have sex with na itong tao lang na 'to forever, then it can affect you kung lagi ka na lang nandoon sa culture na 'yon.

"Lagi ka na lang naghahanap ng different partners because the time and effort that you spend having sex with different partners take time away from you, looking for someone that you can be romantically inclined to and to be with."

Protection is a must

For Dennis Santos, an openly gay man who has been on dating and hookup apps for two years, he says that he mainly uses it to relieve stress, especially from his job.

He also respects the beliefs of those that don't understand or agree with his lifestyle as long as they respect his choices.

Dennis also talks about a few pointers on how to protect one's self when going for a hookup.

"'Pag nag-uusap pa lang, nagse-set na ako ng boundaries, 'Ito lang 'yung gagawin natin, ito lang 'yung gagawin ko, hindi natin gagawin 'to.'

"Protection is a must.

"Mentally, I prepare na if hookup, hookup lang talaga."

A different perspective

Youth Pastor Marty Ocaya offers a different perspective to hookup culture and shares about the wonders of waiting for marriage before finally doing the deed.

"Sex is not evil, it's really good, it's God's gift. Binigay niya 'yan sa married couple and ang purpose ng sex is for unity. 'Yun ang goal ni God 'eh, the reason why he created that so that man and woman will experience intimacy and unity na sila lang, faithful."

"Eventually, 'pag na-realize mo 'Nakapag-intay ako and then nag-asawa ako and then we can do it without guilt, without shame, wow.' That's something na 'Oo nga, noh? It's really worth it.'"

Marty adds that despite his position as a youth pastor, he doesn't judge those who have had premarital sex. He even welcomes them if they ever want to lead a chaste life before getting married.

"If ever you felt that, na parang na-judge ka, I wanna personally apologize because we don't wanna show the world that we're judging them, that we're condemning them.

"Alam namin na nandoon 'yung 'Mahirap siya.' Alam naman namin 'yon 'eh, it's a struggle, ang hirap i-control, but that's why God wants to help you.

"We are here and if ever you've done that before, there's still a chance na 'Sige, from this moment on, I'm gonna wait," he says.

Watch Susan Enriquez's report on hookup culture in the Philippines in the iJuander video below:

To hookup or not to hookup, the most important thing is to be safe and to know whether this kind of life is right for you.