If the first query elicits your "yes," what made it news worthy?  Were the video's participants noted individuals?  Yes you say!  They were celebrities!  What made them celebrities?  Ms. Halili is in softcore porn films which are mass marketed to the public.  Mr. Kho is a handsome young man who is the face of a well-known plastic surgery clinic, though both he and his clinic have dubious medical credentials/histories.

All well and good.  Now if the second question also has your "yes," what makes it national news?

It's complicated you say.  But surely headline news involves the national interest.

Does a celebrity sex video merit this more than say:

• the global financial crisis
• the massive unemployment figures
  
• the upcoming Philippine election
• the H1N1 virus
• the other countless government scandals which don't involve sex?

I think not.  But one might counter that the release of this video deplorable.  Of course it is, and action should be taken.  But do we really need a senator and the office of the President jumping in on what hardly seems to be of concern to the national interest?

Maybe not.  One can argue however that a woman being exploited this way should be of national concern.  Sure!  But if the government is really serious about the welfare of women being exploited sexually, it should take aim at the conditions causing it.  Like say, Katrina Halili's employers and their industry.

Let's not kid ourselves.  This video is just another way for the media to make money and for politicians to gain support.  To think that the Philippine Daily Inquirer posted a screen capture on its online front page of the said video.  Imagine if The New York Times had done the same of Paris Hilton.

Whether you think this is of national interest or not, the answer is what you deserve.