Filmmaker Darryl Yap has reaffirmed that his controversial film about the late Pepsi Paloma will premiere in Philippine cinemas this February, despite ongoing legal challenges.
In a Facebook post on Friday, January 17, Yap highlighted the attention surrounding the project, sharing a screenshot that placed Pepsi Paloma as the second most searched “trending actor” on a search engine.
“THE RAPISTS OF PEPSI PALOMA. THIS FEBRUARY PH CINEMAS,” Yap captioned the post, sticking to the previously announced release schedule.
MTRCB Yet to Review Film Materials
The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), responsible for rating films and TV shows in the Philippines, stated it has not received any materials for review regarding Yap’s movie. This leaves the regulatory status of the film uncertain.
Legal Tensions with Vic Sotto
Yap and TV host Vic Sotto recently faced each other in court for the first time during a hearing on Sotto’s writ of habeas data petition. Sotto seeks to remove any mention of his name in connection with the promotion of the Pepsi Paloma film.
While both camps refrained from sharing details due to a gag order issued by the court, Yap briefly remarked that he was “okay” and focused on “finishing the movie.”
In addition to the habeas data case, Sotto has filed 19 counts of cyber libel against Yap. The cases stem from Yap’s teaser for the film, which allegedly implicates Sotto as one of the individuals involved in the late actress’s traumatic experiences.
Court Decisions and Pending Motions
The court recently denied Yap’s motion to consolidate the habeas data case with Sotto’s cyber libel complaints. The court ruled that the two legal actions differ significantly in nature, purpose, and jurisdiction.
Despite these legal hurdles, Yap appears determined to push through with the film’s release, generating both anticipation and controversy in equal measure.