Director Darryl Yap announced the change in the title of his controversial Pepsi Paloma film for Philippine release.
In a Facebook post, Yap uploaded the official poster of his film and said the title of his movie for Philippine cinemas will be “Pepsi Paloma” instead of the original title “The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma,” which will be used as its international title.
“Ang Balita. Ang Intriga. Ang Kontrobersya. Ang Hubad na Katotohanan. The Official Poster of #TROPP #TROPP2025. International Title | The Rapists of #PepsiPaloma. Philippine Cinema Title | Pepsi Paloma,” he wrote.
The official poster for the film “The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma” (Darryl Yap's Facebook account)
Director Darryl Yap (Darryl Yap's Facebook account)
Vic Sotto at the Muntinlupa Hall of Justice on Jan. 9 (Jonathan Hicap)
On Jan. 9, TV host and actor Vic Sotto filed 19 counts of cyber libel against Yap for the movie trailer of “The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma” wherein his name was mentioned.
Sotto filed the complaint before the Muntinlupa City Prosecutor’s Office, seeking P35 million in damages from Yap–P20 million for moral damages and P15 million for exemplary damages.
He also filed a writ of habeas data against Yap, which will be heard by the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 205 on Jan. 15.
In a separate post, Yap also addressed speculations by netizens of the people who supported his film.
He denied getting any support from Imee Marcos, Jalosjos and Discaya.
Here is Yap’s post:
“Dear Trolls, sa mga nagtatanong sino ang nasa likod ko bakit ako matapang— (Dear Trolls, to those who are asking who is behind me, why am I brave).
“Hindi si Imee. ang mga kaibigan ko, wala sa likod ko. katabi ko. ayaw nya nga gumawa ako ng pelikula dahil di ako makagawa ng series para sa kampanya nya—di sila magkaaway ng mga binabanggit nyo. (It’s not Imee. my friends are not behind me. They are next to me. She doesn't want me to make a movie because I can't make a series for her campaign—they are not enemies of the ones you are talking about).
“Hindi si Jalosjos. gagawa ba ako ng pelikula na may insidente ng rape tapos ang magpoproduce may rape case (It’s not Jalosjos. would I make a movie with a rape incident and then the producer has a rape case).
“Hindi si Discaya. hindi ko nga kilala yan, wala naman akong pinagawa sa construction nila—hindi porket mayaman, kaibigan ko na. (It’s not Discaya. I don't know him, I don’t have any work done through their construction–not because he is rich, he is my friend).
“Kaya 2025 ilalabas dahil 40th Death Anniversary ni Pepsi Paloma. Hindi dahil Eleksyon. Hindi nyo maiintindihan kasi di naman kayo taga-Olongapo, Hindi kayo Artist na Taga-Olongapo. (It will be released in 2025 because it is Pepsi Paloma's 40th Death Anniversary. Not because of the Election. You won't understand because you are not from Olongapo, you are not an Artist from Olongapo).
“MAY LUGAR SA AMIN NA ANG TAWAG AY PEPSI. MAY SARILING HAND SIGN PARA ALAM NG JEEP NA DOON KA BABABA! GANON KAHALAGA (WE HAVE A PLACE THAT IS CALLED PEPSI. IT HAS ITS OWN HAND SIGN SO THAT THE JEEP KNOWS THAT YOU ARE GOING TO GET OFF THERE! IT IS THAT IMPORTANT).
“At porket abogado ko si Atty. Fortun, may backer na? Ano’ng akala nyo sa akin? Troll na walang pera? AT SINO’NG NAGSABI NAGPABAYAD SIYA. (and just because my lawyer is Atty. Fortun, I have a backer? What do you think of me? A moneyless troll? AND WHO SAID HE ASKED FOR PAYMENT).
Darryl Yap with lawyer Raymond Fortun (2nd from lef) (Darryl Yap's Facebook account)
“Mali ang tanong na SINO ANG NASA LIKOD KO, BAKIT AKO MATAPANG, KUNDI ANO. Walang iba kundi ang buong katotohanan (The wrong question is WHO IS BEHIND ME, WHY AM I SO BRAVE, BUT WHAT. Nothing but the whole truth).”
Paloma (real name Delia Dueñas Smith) was an actress and part of the Softdrinks Beauties in the 1980s. She passed away in 1985.
“The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma” stars Rhed Bustamante as Paloma, Gina Alajar as actress Charito Solis, Mon Confiado as Paloma’s manager Rey Dela Cruz, Rosanna Roces as Divina Valencia, Andres Balano Jr. as Richie D'Horsie and Shamaine Buencamino as Lydia Duena Whitley, Paloma’s mother.
Written and directed by Yap, the film is set for release in February.