MANILA, Philippines?I think that the cosmetic surgeon who filmed his sexual escapades with some of his girlfriends is a fink. He is ungentlemanly and guilty of treachery of the most ungallant kind, and his willing sexual partners are the victims. After all, those were private moments that should have remained in the confines of the bedroom.

Whoever distributed the doctor?s sexual escapades is also a dastardly fink?and thrice more ungallant. The controversial video has become the talk of the nation. The scandal has since entered the halls of Senate. Now, every politician is getting into the act. So, what else is new? After all, we belong to a nation that prioritizes scandals over more important national issues. Gee, even Manny Pacquiao has been forgotten?and Aling Dionisia, too!

Biggest victim

Yes, the starlet in the spotlight has no doubt been victimized. But, the biggest victim is the public, especially the youth who are receiving wrong signals from the perpetrator, his victims and the media. Why has such a scandal become a matter of national concern?

First, there?s the economic factor. If there were no supply, there?d be no demand. To begin with, if partners didn?t film their sexual peccadilloes, there?d be nothing to supply the growing demand for such trash. In the not too distant past, it was considered wrong to patronize pornography. Now, such practice has been legitimized as ?adult entertainment!? What hogwash.

Wrong signals

Let?s us get down to the root of the matter: I?m more aghast at the wrong signals sent by many television talk shows. Glib and loquacious hosts posture and display a sophisticated air by showing a liberal attitude. They state that what happens between consenting couples inside the bedroom is their business.

So, if it?s ?private,? whatever those couples do is fine? Does that uphold traditional values like chastity before marriage, etc.? Are all consenting individuals, not necessarily adults, free to do as they please, as long as their acts happen inside the bedroom?and, for as long as they?re kept secret by both partners? What if the guy has a fiancée or a girlfriend? What if one of the consenting adults were married?

No matter how modern we are now, Philippine morality still doesn?t ?champion? premarital sex. Besides, these days, there?s also an economic factor that contributes to the promiscuity that?s becoming the norm among entertainers, who can afford an amoral lifestyle and the consequences thereof?but not their impressionable fans, who can?t afford to get embroiled in unwanted pregnancy or single parenthood!

I sympathize with the purported victim, to be sure. I like neither the sinner nor the sin. However, powerful media should not exploit the situation, as many politicians have. Instead, we all should put these events in the proper perspective. If and when we learn to properly educate the public, people will cease being a profitable and gullible market for silly merchandise, like the sex videos now in the consciousness of the entire nation.

Third party

Although consenting partners call the ?filmed act? private, it?s also a fact that they have introduced a third party?the camera?to witness their sexual encounter(s). Besides, people who enjoy voyeurism and other forms of perverted sexual pleasures will always find a way to get their hands on those videos. But, if there is no supply, there won?t be any demand?at all.