It is crucial to note the gender dynamics of the time. While Rudy Farinas was a powerful political figure, the brunt of the public shaming was borne by Vivian Velez. She was subjected to a

However, the Betamax also birthed the underground "X-rated" industry. It was in this shadowy world of pirated tapes and video rental shops that the scandal took root.

Rumors began to circulate that a private video involving the celebrity couple existed. At the time, the concept of a "sex tape" was not a common pop culture trope. The idea that a celebrity of Velez's caliber could be captured in such an intimate moment was shocking to a conservative Filipino society still deeply rooted in Catholic values. The keyword phrase "Vivian Velez Rudy Farinas Betamax Scandal Hit" refers to the moment the tape became a sought-after commodity on the black market. Unlike modern scandals that are uploaded and viewed for free, the "hit" was commercial. The tape became an underground blockbuster.