Darryl Yap’s controversial ‘Pepsi Paloma’ February cinema release canceled
Director Darryl Yap announced that the screening of his movie, The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma, will no longer show in the cinemas after failing to fulfill the documents required by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).
“Ipinaaabot ko po sa lahat ng nakasubaybay na bigo po ang panig ng inyong lingkod na agarang makumpleto ang mga dokumentong hinihingi ng pamunuan ng MTRCB,” he wrote on Facebook on Monday.
Yap said that the movie will no longer push through to its supposed premiere on Feb. 5. Instead, they are looking at distributing it on streaming platforms.
“Pinag-iisipan na rin ang posibilidad na maunang maipalabas ito sa labas ng bansa o ipagpaliban na ang pagpapalabas sa sinehan at magpokus na lamang sa streaming platforms,” he added.
This came after the MTRCB dismissed Yap’s claim that the movie is under review, stating that he has yet to submit the necessary documentation. Specifically, he is missing the required Certificate or Clearance of No Pending Criminal, Civil, or Administrative Case from the Regional Trial Court, the Department of Justice, and the Office of the City Prosecutor.
The board's legal affairs division said it has "formally communicated" with PinoyFlix, the movie’s distributor, regarding the missing requirements "to ensure that there will be no violation of the P.D. 1986 and its Implementing Rules and Regulation."
The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma will tackle the life of Pepsi Paloma, born Delia Dueña Smith, a rising star in the '80s who reportedly took her own life in 1985. She was 18 when her body was found in her home in Quezon City.
The already-controversial subject for a movie stirred further controversy as a 26-second teaser showed Pepsi (Rhed Bustamante) confirmed to Charito Solis (Gina Alajar) that Vic Sotto had raped her.
The text, "Nagsampa ng kasong rape si Pepsi Paloma laban kay Vic Sotto noong August 17, 1982," also flashed on the screen.
Following the trailer release, Sotto filed a writ of habeas data against Yap, asking to take down promotional materials, teaser videos, and other material related to the film, saying it mentions sensitive personal information. He also filed 19 counts of cyber libel against Yap, seeking P35 million in moral and exemplary damages.
Sotto said he wasn't consulted about the movie and only found out through his loved ones.
Yap, meanwhile, said "There was an attempt to consult," claiming to have sent Sotto a copy of the script before production. He also previously noted that only accounts with "evidentiary" support would be shown in the movie.
On Jan. 26, Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court Branch 205 partially approved Sotto's writ of habeas data petition against Yap. It still allowed the movie's production and release, saying it was "protected by artistic freedom and public interest."
