The "Betamax" scandal involving actress Vivian Velez and former Ilocos Norte Congressman Rodolfo "Rudy" Fariñas
The Betamax tape remains a ghost. No copy has been submitted to the National Film Archives, nor has any court ever subpoenaed one. It exists only in the collective memory of vintage rumor-mongers.
The Relationship: Vivian Velez, known as "Ms. Body Beautiful," and Rudy Fariñas were a famous couple in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Fariñas admitted they dated while he was a law student at Ateneo, even famously bringing her to his classes. Vivian Velez BetaMAX Scandal With Mayor Farinas UPD
Political Activity: As of January 2025, Velez remains politically active. She was appointed as a vice president of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) and attended the National Rally for Peace organized by Iglesia ni Cristo, where she expressed a desire for President Bongbong Marcos to resign.
18;write_to_target_document1a;_lmjsaZ7KKMa8seMPqrfmsQM_20;56; 0;108b;0;a66; The "Betamax" scandal involving actress Vivian Velez and
The Context: During his time as a law student at Ateneo de Manila University in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Rudy Fariñas was known as a high-profile "playboy" figure. He was romantically linked to Vivian Velez, who was then celebrated as the "Ms. Body Beautiful" of Philippine cinema.
Political Attacks: In recent years, critics of Vivian Velez—who became a vocal political figure and supporter of Rodrigo Duterte and Isko Moreno—frequently use the "Betamax" scandal to taunt or silence her during online debates. The Relationship: Vivian Velez, known as "Ms
To understand the scandal, one must understand BetaMAX. Before VHS, Sony’s Betamax format was the home video standard. By 1985, Betamax recorders had become affordable enough for the wealthy—including politicians and movie stars—to own. These machines could record television programs or, more secretly, private encounters.