The boom and bust of a sex scandal

Sex, especially in this day and age, is not all about an individual’s gender assignment. Universally, it is accepted as an act between partners.

When the words “video” and “scandal” are added, and a popular figure or supposedly a look-alike is the protagonist in it, what immediately follows is a top trending topic, shared openly or secretly to the curious and aroused. It eclipses pressing concerns and issues of national importance.

Thus, I cannot help but wonder about this obsession for sex video scandals: why do we enjoy it so much and why do we want more of it? Why does it continue to spread like wildfire on social media and in the confines of personal messenger boxes? Are sex video scandals the fastest way to popularity and notoriety?

Boom

The most patronized sex video scandals involve male celebrities. As to the why these men choose to document their engagements or entanglements, or by their lonesome took photographs of their penises for posterity, of all places in mobile phones and laptops so easy as pie to access, they alone can answer.

Some of the sex video scandals that titillated the public journalized the person’s sexual conquests. One even became the subject of a Senate investigation, ending up with Hayden Kho’s medicine license revoked. Paolo Bediones, during the height of his career as a host that led to him landing an executive post for a network, sexual congress videos leaked online. Bediones did not dignify the issue and refused to acknowledge it was him. The result: His career and credibility gone with the wind and in 60 seconds. Pop rocker Chito Miranda had his one moment in time as well with craze. He visited the National Bureau of Investigation and filed a formal complaint about the incident. Its conclusion: The answers are in the Bermuda Triangle.

Award-winning actor Dennis Trillo also had an alleged video scandal. When it was shown to him in a showbiz talk show program, Trillo said: “Ang liit naman niyan (That’s too small).” John Lapus, who did the interview was surprised by the actor’s rejoinder and almost choked as he guffawed.

Martin del Rosario admitted that it was him in the photograph shared furiously online. In the photo, the Kapuso actor was naked from the waist down with everything in full display.

Of late, one of the original Guapings, Mark Anthony Fernandez, made known that it was indeed him in the video that showcased his porn star side.

Two male starlets, Abed Green and Dylan Menor, are allegedly principal participants in the latest sex video scandals that marked impressive debuts on social media and passed on in private messages.

Bust

The novelty of sex video scandals and photos lie with the fact that these private acts became public. To many, it is an amazing and amusing form of entertainment and fun. What adds more flavor and excitement to the shenanigans is that people in show business are the central figures in the clandestine moment, amorous trysts and packages that seemed larger than life.

The heightened inquisitiveness, boredom maybe, or the videos and photos, offer escape from the harsh truths we face on a daily basis, choosing our reasons and poison for the continuous patronage and profileration; no judgment here.

We are all aware that whatever these actors gain from the leaks are all but fleeting, and that the arrival of fresh offerings will eclipse the sensations.

The declarative statement, “Lalaki naman ang mga iyan, walang mawawala sa kanila, Isang ligo lang ang katapat niyan (They are men, they stand to lose nothing. One shower and it’s all gone),” says it all in one sweep.

I do not know if these are the standards by which we think about being masculine or of masculinity, of what makes a man a “real man.” But the perception of sex and the morality behind it surely has eroded and keeps eroding, and really, there is nothing we can do about it.