PUBLISHED: Student & Campus Section, Manila Bulletin, 27 May 2009 Issue (Page F-3)

A couple of nights ago, on primetime news, a member of the NBI was asked about their possession of the Hayden Kho-Katrina Halili sex tape. Here is what he had to say:

“Kailangan naming panoorin ng maigi ang video para malaman ang motibo ng nagkalat ng video.”

It was kind of the same situation with me, except that I don’t have to make a lame excuse about having to acquire it from the internet. It did serve a purpose though, looking back: if I was going to talk about what happened inside that room, it is only fair that I witness the entire thing to get my facts straight. That way I don’t get accusations of irresponsible reporting. Maybe NBI Guy had the same concern.

But the issue is so out in the open that it’s already been featured as a headline in some prominent broadsheets and news programs. What’s funny is that people from all walks of life, from curious pre-teen boys and affluent colegialas to yayas and semi-senile grandparents, still talk about the tape in small voices and hushed tones. Yet two minutes later everyone is glued to the computer screen watching a “SEZZ-LENG HAT!” dance to the beat of Beautiful Girls, complete with glowing rubber balls in each hand.

It’s doubly sad. What counts for news in this country, I mean. And the dancing.

What’s comforting, though, is that we can be more open about it at home. It’s been the subject of at least one dinner conversation. Even my little brother, who remains remarkably clean of heart even as he undergoes the deadlier throes of puberty, has seen the video. Or at least the first, non-nude part.

Actually, I did stop at the first part during my first viewing. In so many ways, it’s all you need to watch.

On the one hand—and I have been bothered by this all weekend—I simply cannot understand how anyone, even someone as handsome as Hayden, could get any action after that. Unless I’m looking at this all wrong, and apparently it turns women on when a man can’t dance or sing to save his life, but tries anyway. And even then he did hog the camera for some time, in what seemed to me was an attempt to outdo a sexy star at sexy dancing. It was…kooky.

After seeing that performance, I am of the opinion that Hayden Kho should never, ever dance again, indeed.

On the other hand, the damage will have been done by the dying seconds of the first part. By that time, we all would have laughed at someone else’s expense. Perhaps repeatedly.

I’m not so concerned here about the damage it’s done to Hayden Kho—if indeed it could be called ‘damage’, since he’s become something of an idol to many guys. I am of the minority opinion that his dancing is a deal-breaker, yet I guess getting someone like Katrina Halili in bed automatically overrides everything for most.

He had it coming, though. He was the one in a relationship at the time. And it’s not just her, it’s countless other hers. He has complained that he wasn’t the one who leaked the videos, but it really doesn’t matter anymore, especially since he is a medical practitioner and has a reputation to keep. Sadly, this might mean that the verdict has already been cast before his case even gets to the courtroom.

As a matter of principle, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with recording your bedroom activities—as long as your partner consents and the terms are clearly defined. If it’s your sort of thing as a couple, then that’s your business.

What’s rather depraved is when the girl doesn’t know, or her consent is manufactured. Because when the videos get publicized, it’s not just the right to privacy that’s violated. It’s bad enough that Katrina Halili is already the stuff of men’s fantasies—and now she has to deal with this humiliation. It’s tantamount to rape.

Then again, I guess if you sleep with a guy like Hayden Kho, someone who confesses to recording videos for his “personal collection”…well, that’s also your problem.

Still, let’s not be prudes and wash our hands clean of any crime. The fact is that we’ve committed it by taking part in this media circus.

Also, it’s not like we all don’t have secrets we would rather keep to ourselves. Things like these happen as a result of our being human and our ability, even willingness, to commit mistakes.

But if you really, really have to keep a video, be very, very careful in guarding your secrets.

In Hayden’s case, however, it’s not like there’s much to keep.

Or much to see.

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