Veteran TV host and actor Vic Sotto is reportedly preparing to take legal action against controversial filmmaker Darryl Yap in response to the inclusion of his name in the teaser of Yap’s upcoming film, ‘The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma.’
According to a report by TV5, Sotto’s legal counsel confirmed that the complaint will be filed at the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court on January 9. The film, which tells the story of the late 1980s actress Pepsi Paloma, sparked public outrage following the release of its trailer on January 1.
The teaser, which included references to Sotto, prompted the TV host to seek legal recourse. However, the exact charges against Yap have yet to be disclosed.
In response to the criticism, Yap took to Facebook to address the controversy surrounding his film. He defended his decision to create the biopic, asserting that he felt a responsibility to shed light on the unresolved story.
“ang aking kababayan na si Pepsi Paloma, Olongapeña, Artista, Biktima. sa darating na 2025, bago sumapit ang ika-40 anibersayo ng kanyang kontrobersyal na pagpapatiwakal—Kilalanin natin ang Anino, ang Multo, ang Alingasgas ng kanyang Pagkatao. Ang Aking ika-17 Pelikula: THE RAPISTS OF PEPSI PALOMA,” Yap wrote in October.
Yap also mentioned Sotto in his post, saying, “About Sir Vic Sotto, I’m not sure whether to offer an apology for his name being mentioned in the film. The truth, after all, is unapologetic.”
He added that his intent was to present the facts without bias: “My role as a filmmaker isn’t to pass judgment or provoke—it’s to tell the story as it happened, with honesty and respect for the facts.”
The film’s teaser reignited discussions about the tragic life of Pepsi Paloma, one of the so-called “Softdrinks Beauties” of the 1980s, alongside Sarsi Emmanuelle and Coca Nicolas. Paloma’s death in 1985 remains a topic of speculation and controversy.
Sotto has yet to make a public statement, while Yap continues to defend his work as a means of revisiting history and confronting uncomfortable truths.
