Two years into the COVID19 pandemic, the medical saga has drastically changed not only the way we live our lives but also our way of sourcing for our livelihood. By now, many people have already gotten themselves so used to working from home or even going on rotational schedules in the work place. For those in the entertainment and live performance industries, various online platforms have provided temporary relief from joblessness and have provided continued cash flow for themselves and for their families. All these options are open to those “lucky” enough to still stay “somewhat employed” during these trying times. However, for those who have nothing much to rely on but their own physical goods, the options can be very limited—forcing them to resort to what is regarded as the world’s oldest profession, albeit with a twist.

“Social media prostitution is now widespread,” says a friend, who is also a well-respected top executive of a big corporation. “Newbie actors, basketball players, models, beauty pageant winners and contestants, name it. They’re peddling themselves on social media,” he reveals.

With their own bodies and phone cameras as the tools of their trade, these “online sellers” have photos and videos as their prime commodities. A nude photo of an ordinary “Juan” can be sent to a buyer’s online messaging account for as low as P500. A video showing self sex can cost interested parties at least P1,000. The rates, naturally, will go higher, depending on the seller’s star value.

Prime Event Production Philippines (PEPPS) Foundation, Incorporated President, Carlo Morris Galang, who is behind the annual Misters of Filipinas and Man of the World searches confirms the proliferation of this new trade.

“Magto-two years na pandemic ngayon at walang income ang mga bata, kaya naging choice nila yan,” he admits.

My top executive friend agrees. “People who are not in this trade find themselves forced into it because of the challenges posed by the pandemic.”

So how do these online sellers choose their “target markets?” Do they actually push their goods to everyone who wants them?

“No. In fact, if they had their way they would not have done it but considering the circumstances of the pandemic, they considered doing it but only with people they know, like, trust and respect because if they do that they know that they would not feel exploited,” says Mr. Top Executive.

The existence of such practice has led the Marketing Head of a leading financial institution to coin a term for the practice of moneyed people like him who buy into these online “items.” He says: “Well, those in the corporate world use the term CSR or Corporate Social Responsibility for charitable acts. In this case, I’d rather say CSR could mean Compassionate Sexual Responsibility, because it takes understanding and compassion to actually shell out money for these people’s photos and videos.”

So how does this new breed of CSR work? Marketing guy explains, “If the time comes when you need to satisfy a physical need I would rather do it with someone who needs the money to feed a son, his family or to help buy a tablet for the education of his siblings.”

Sad as it is, the Filipino concept of “kapit sa patalim” really seems to be at work given the realities of the tight economy that was the result of the prolonged pandemic. PEPPS’ Galang, however, reminds: “We have a lot of choices. You can do online selling. Choice mo yan, kung gusto mo yan. ‘Pag online yan, wala nang burahan yan. Mahirap nang bawiin at baguhin. Lalo na kung may image kang inaalagaan.”