Screen grab from “The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma” trailer. Darryl Yap/Facebook

MANILA, Philippines – After a deluge of mixed reactions with the slant of its trailer, controversial filmmaker Darryl Yap defended his upcoming film “The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma” saying it was not funded by any “anti-Sotto” entity but, is simply a “shocking truthful revelation” of what really happened to actress Pepsi Paloma. 

The trailer of the movie sent shockwaves to the online community with its cliff-hanging trailer fearlessly naming comedian Vic Sotto as the “rapist” of Paloma. 

On Facebook, Yap made a series of posts answering questions about him and the intention of his film talking about the controversial rape of Paloma allegedly involving Sotto and two other “Eat Bulaga” original hosts Joey de Leon and Richie D’ Horsie in the early ‘80s. 

“Kung ano ang nangyari, yun ang makikita. WALANG LABIS. WALANG KULANG WALANG LILINISIN. WALANG DUDUMIHAN,” Yap said in a post. 

“PANANAGUTAN. KATOTOHANAN,” he said. 

The controversy of the story and the high-profile characters involved in it easily gained the trailer 15 million views since its release on January 1. 

Photo: Darryl Yap/Facebook

Photo: Screen grab from Darryl Yap/Facebook

Yap firstly clarified that the instant virality of the trailer did not employ the work of a troll farm or a “back-up TV network.” Because if so, “siguro mas maaabot ng pelikula ko ang mga tao.” 

He also clarified that the movie is not under Viva Films who produced most of his equally controversial movies like “Maid in Malacañang” and “Martyr or Murderer, much so funded by individuals who had a feud with the Sottos. 

“Ang #TROPP o THE RAPISTS OF #PEPSIPALOMA ay hindi po under VIVA Films, Hindi rin po ako nabigyan ng pera ng mga Jalosjos o Discaya o ng mga Aliens o kung anong elementong may galit sa mga Sotto. Gusto ko syempre ng pera— pero wala,” he said. 

He also denied that his film, scheduled to be shown on February 25 is in any way a political dagger despite it falling within the official campaign period for national candidates. 

Former Senate President Tito Sotto himself is also dragged into the issue for allegedly forcing the late actress to sign an affidavit of desistance dropping the case against the three. 

“Makakasira rin sa ipinaglalaban kung may halong pulitika, kahit babad ako roon—itong #TROPP2025 ay hindi para sa eleksyon,” he said. 

Yap said everything will be revealed in the grand presscon of the movie 

“Sa grand presscon, masasagot lahat ng tanong at agam-agam—bagamat nagpapasalamat ako sa mga opinyon, bash at suporta… Sa ngayon, hayaan nyo muna naming matapos ang pelikula, para maipalabas sa February 2025,” he said. 

Netizens react 

The trailer elicited various reactions from the online community. 

Supporters of the triumvirate of Tito, Vic and Joey, collectively known as TVJ came to the defense of the three. 

In the trailer, veteran actress Charito Solis played by award-winning actress Gina Alajar was the one who asked Paloma if she were indeed raped by Vic. 

A netizen then raised the point why Solis accepted the role as Ina Magenta in the defunct long-running comedy series “Okay Ka Fairy Ko” produced by Vic in the early ‘90s if she knew that he once molested the young starlet. 

Photo: Screen grab from Roy Sadorra/Facebook 

Others are curious if the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, currently chaired by Lala Sotto, daughter of the former senator, if the movie will be allowed screen time. 

Photo: Screen grab from Cel Santos/Facebook

Others simply dismissed the idea of Vic possibly sexually assaulting any woman since he has a reputation of being a ladies man. 

Photo: Screen grab from Nat Oblero/Facebook

“The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma” stars young actress Rhed Bustamante, Gina Alajar, Mon Confiado and Sharmaine Buencamino among others. 

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