Some PH cinemas refuse to post Pepsi Paloma film with ‘rapists’ in title


Director Darryl Yap revealed that the title of his upcoming controversial “The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma” will only be “Pepsi Paloma” when it is released in the Philippines due to a decision by some cinemas. 

On Jan. 11, Yap posted the official poster of “The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma” on his Facebook page and wrote that the movie’s Philippine cinema title will only be “Pepsi Paloma.” 

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Darryl Yap's post on Jan. 11 stating the the film will carry the title "Pepsi Paloma" when it is released in the Philippines (Darryl Yap's Facebook account) 

 

In another post on Jan. 12, he revealed that some Philippine cinemas decided that they could not post the title of the film with the word “rapists,” which resulted in the change to “Pepsi Paloma.” 

“Hindi po binago ang title ng #TROPP #TROPP2025 THE RAPISTS OF PEPSI PALOMA (The title of #TROPP #TROPP2025 THE RAPISTS OF PEPSI PALOMA was not changed),” he wrote. 

He added, “Meron lamang pong mga sinehan sa bansa ang nagpauna nang nagsabing hindi sila maaaring magpaskil ng salitang RAPISTS kaya ang makikita lang sa kanila ay #PEPSIPALOMA. (Some cinemas in the country notified beforehand that they could not post the word ‘RAPISTS,’ that is why what can only be seen at their cinemas is #PEPSIPALOMA).”

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The film "The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma" (Darryl Yap's Facebook account) 
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Director Darryl Yap (Darryl Yap's Facebook account)

“Ako po ay 7 years pa lamang sa Industry, walang sapat na makinarya laban sa trolls, fake news, pag pabor ng mainstream media. Ang Pelikula po, mabawasan man o madagdagan ng salita o kataga, iisa lamang ang basa—KATOTOHANAN (I have only been in the industry for 7 years, I don’t have enough machinery against trolls, fake news, favoritism of the mainstream media. The movie, whether it is reduced or increased in words or phrases, only reads one thing—TRUTH),” he added. 

Yap said the official trailer and the release date of his film will be announced.

The teaser of the film, released on Jan. 1, mentioned the name of TV host and actor Vic Sotto. 

Sotto filed a P35-million cyber libel complaint against Yap with the Muntinlupa Prosecutor’s Office on Jan. 9.  

He also filed a petition for a writ of habeas data, asking a Muntinlupa court to remove the teaser and promotional materials for the film that depicted or mentioned his “personal information or sensitive personal information.” 

The summary hearing for the writ is set on Jan. 15.