A Filipino vlogger’s accidental leak of an unedited Kamangyan shampoo promo ignites conversations about creator responsibility, viral culture, and online consent.

A Viral Slip-Up With Massive Impact

July 29, 2025: In late 2023, Filipino content creator “Kamangyan” (Mercedes Lasac) accidentally uploaded an unedited shampoo promotional video. It quickly went viral after being shared and discussed across TikTok, Reddit, X, and more—even after she deleted it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Q_IwpYJlac

Reddit Fuels the Spread

Reddit users on subreddits like r/ChikaPH amplified the scandal, dissecting the clip and its broader implications. Reddit’s upvote-driven visibility turned a single slip into a major controversy, showcasing how rapidly and widely content can spread online.

Backlash vs. Empathy

The scandal sparked divided public reaction: some criticized Kamangyan for a lack of editorial care; others urged empathy, calling for privacy respect and the ethical responsibility of platform users.

Brand & Legal Fallout

The shampoo brand at the center publicly distanced itself, noting the footage was never approved for use. Meanwhile, Kamangyan issued an apology and reportedly pursued legal action against individuals who shared the video without consent.

Industry Impact & Broader Implications

Transparency and authenticity: The incident fueled growing demand for honest promotions and clear ingredient disclosure.

Digital privacy awareness: It underscored how little control creators have once content is online—raising conversations about consent, responsible sharing, and legal protection.

Influencers’ accountability: Audiences expect honesty; this scandal emphasizes the responsibility influencers face in marketing partnerships.

2025 Update: Why It’s Back in the Spotlight

AI Deepfakes and Edits: In early 2025, AI-generated “recreations” of the original video began resurfacing online—some edited to appear even more dramatic or salacious. These sparked outrage and raised concerns over synthetic media abuse.

Platform Crackdown: Reddit has since revised its content reporting tools to better handle consent-based complaints. This was partially influenced by cases like Kamangyan’s.

Influencer Code of Ethics: Filipino lawmakers and advertising bodies have started drafting a Digital Creator Accountability Bill, addressing creator mistakes, brand transparency, and consequences for unauthorized content leaks.

Kamangyan Speaks Again

In a March 2025 podcast appearance, Kamangyan addressed the scandal publicly for the first time in over a year. She emphasized how “violating and out of control” the experience felt, noting that “one upload changed how I trust the internet forever.”

She confirmed ongoing efforts to remove unauthorized reposts and reiterated calls for empathy and ethical sharing.

Kamangyan Takes a Mental Health Break

On July 27, Kamangyan announced via her Instagram story that she would be taking a one-month break from content creation, citing mental exhaustion from the ongoing resurfacing of the scandal. She thanked her fans for supporting her “during the most triggering period in a long time.”