Cheating is never okay. It's also not a mistake, like many would excuse it to be. It's a choice. And regardless of when or how, cheaters will always get exposed because as the saying goes, time is the ultimate truth teller. But, when cheaters actually get exposed, we should remember not to hold certain double standards and call both parties out for who and what they are: cheaters. It took two people to commit the act, so it's just right that both parties involved get held accountable for the damage and trauma they had caused to the other people they were officially in a relationship with.
Now, I totally get the argument that the person who's in the relationship and openly hurt their partner should theoretically be more at fault. Because sure, they are the ones who are committed. But, what we're not going to do is absolve someone who had complete knowledge of someone's relationship and existing partner yet was still an accomplice to the act. Owing to the fact that yes, they might not be the one with the commitment and responsbility, still it is an act of courtesy and just plain common sense not to go after or entertain someone who is taken. And before anyone says anything, this is regardless of gender.
ALSO READ: Dear Women, It’s Not Your Fault If You Get Cheated On
Its giving (internalized) misogyny.
However, sadly, whenever cheating allegations or scandals surface, it's almost always the woman who bares the bigger brunt of it all. And I don't want to be that person, but it sounds a lot like the effect of (internalized) misogyny to me. While of course, it's just right to call out any wrongdoings—and it really depends on the situation—but just blaming the woman (and not the man) who cheated just isn't it. It seems like it's all fun and games, but making memes and poking fun only at the woman shows there is an underlying theme of misogyny and sexism going on.
Take, for example, what is happening to almost every public figure entangled in a cheating incident—most recently, Maris Racal and Anthony Jennings. ICYMI (which tbh, we highly doub,) the love team also known as MaThon, who began as SnoRene due to their unlikely pairing in the hit teleserye Can't Buy Me Love, are currently in a puddle after Anthony's ex-girlfriend, Jamela Villanueva released what seems to be a series of screenshots on alleged conversations betweet the pair on her Instagram Story on the night of December 3. Jamela alluded that these conversations and their presumable betrayal were a big reason as to why her seven-year relationship with Anthony ended.
READ MORE: Jam Villanueva Posts Anthony Jennings & Maris Racal's Alleged Convos
While the screenshots appear to hint at a budding romance between Anthony and Maris, the Internet seems to be taking more digs at Maris than Anthony with memes that seemingly quote what she had appeared to say.
This isn't the first time this had happened, either. It can be remebered that in 2023, one of Philippine showbiz's biggest couples, Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo came out with their breakup (also breaking many of their KathNiel fans' hearts).
However, what got the Internet's attention more is the reported involvement of Andrea Brillantes in their parting of ways, as she was purportedly a third party to their love story. It was reported by PEP.ph that Andrea came clean to Kathryn about her "one time meet up" with Daniel and showed the actress some receipts.
ALSO READ: Joshua Garcia Slams News Saying He Tolerated The Andrea Brillantes And Daniel Padilla Rumors
But while there were many memes poking fun at Daniel (enter his loyal dog, Summer), Andrea was relentlessly slut-shamed for her reported involvement (that wasn't even really proven, FYI). This isn't to say at all that we should embody, "we support women's rights—and their wrongs," in the most literal sense at all times, don't get me wrong. Because if someone did a wrong thing, then they deserve to get called out and and face the consequences of what they did. This is to point out the disparity between the reactions elicited from people, even unintentional ones, because this just reflects the systemic way that society views women in general. This has happened more times than we could care to admit—or probably even notice.
But as much as cheating is a choice, so is misogynistic slut-shaming.
