Lesson 2. What Can I Do?

Dr. Holmes: 21rst Literature

Revolutionary. Awe-spiring. Inimitable

Dr. Margarita Go-Singco Holmes is a doctor with a degree in Psychology, majored in international
Family Planning, with special studies in Sex Therapy and Marriage Counselling. She is also a journalist
that not only tackles the aspects of her career. But timely issues like gender identity, LGBTQ, and clinical
depression. With unparalleled wits and confidence, Dr. Holmes was the first international tv show in the
Philippines to deal with sex and psychological issues entitled "No Nonsense with Dr. Homes.".

Her journey began at the University of the Philippines (also known as UP) got a Bachelor's
degree in Psychology and graduated as one out of the seven Magna cum Laude in 1973. Then went to
the University of Hawaii at Manoa with the help of her scholarship awarded by the East-West Center and
finished her Master's degree in Public Health. Holmes returned to the Philippines and entered Ateneo de
Manila University, where she received a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Subsequently, elected into
membership of international honor societies of Phi Kappa Phi and Pi Gamma Mu. Her feats did not end
here she; became a professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, University of the
Philippines, International School, San Carlos Seminary, Ateneo de Manila University, and De La Salle
University. A consultant at the Population Center Foundation and the Department of Health. Going
further, Holmes co-hosted with Tessie Tomas on "Magtanong Kay Dra. Holmes" (Ask Dr. Holmes) that was
broadcasted twice weekly in Teysi ng Tahanan in the 1990's. Recently, Dr. Holmes is back with a new
show with HOOQ's "Sex Talk" in September 2019.

In her journalistic side for writing, she became a columnist at Abante (having a column "Walang
Bolahan"), Business Mirror, Opinyon, and a weekly column in Rappler titled "Two-Prolonged" in Manila.
As a pioneer, she has written the first books in the Philippines to tackle controversial issues on sex and
relationships, homosexuality, and clinical depression. Along with her husband, Jeremy Baer, she has co-
authored two books: Love Triangles and Imported Love (Wikipedia).

Her famous work is "Life, Love, Lust: Straightforward Answers to Provocative Questions." which
according to a review by Pierce S. Docena a student in the University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban
College, " It is undoubtedly a trailblazer in its fearless discussion of an oft-shunned topic in Philippine
society. True, sex is no longer as taboo as it once was 25 years ago (largely due to the work of Dr. Holmes
herself), but the current dearth of books that deal with sex and sexuality in the country speaks volumes
about how much work still needs to be done before our society finally embraces the idea that sex is a
legitimate topic for discussion at home, in school, and the mass media, among other venues.". The
literary masterpiece even consulted about gender nonconformity, gender identity, homosexuality, and
sexual orientation. She wrote Roles We Play in Family Life, Magtanong Kay Dra Holmes, Bad Bold Brazen,
Babaeng Palaban, etc.

The works that I love was "Down to 1: Depression Stories" which discussed the reality and
experiences of clinical depression and the effects of the medication Prozac by the author and FCD 10—
Kay Añonuevo, Roman Azanza, her husband Jeremy Baer, Peque Gallaga, Alya Honasan, Elizabeth
Lolarga, Niña Poblador, Lore Reyes, Mike Santos and Patis Tesoro (interviewees) and the other book
titled, "Different Love: Being Gay in the Philippines" addresses the stigma of society against
homosexuality and the acceptance of the change. “The best antidote for homosexuality is to view it as a
phenomenon that needs no antidote … because it is not a sickness and thus needs no curing.”(Dr.
Holmes, 2015) which I unconditionally agree that people must be open-minded to know without
prejudice. Considering our society that has not fully-accepted modern change with
sensitive/controversial topics and still firmly believes in our traditions dating back, literature with the
said themes are very impactful especially, to the minority who is empowered by it.

Dr. Margie Go-Singco Holmes is truly an eye-opening author that was one of the first pioneers in
the Philippines to openly teach society that sex, relationships, mental health, psychological problems are
not taboo that we must keep doors tightly shut and avoid them like a plague. Deepening the
understanding of these themes transcends our understanding of humanity and norms as time passes by.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margie_Holmes

file:///C:/Users/Christine/Downloads/Life_Love_Lust_Straightforward_Answers_t.pdf

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2018/08/10/book-review-down-to-1-depression-stories/

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/08/03/dr-margie-holmes-is-back-with-a-new-show/

https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/series/margie-holmes-new-tv-show-sex-talks

https://wikivisually.com/wiki/Margie_Holmes