The Controversial ‘Pepsi Paloma’ Movie

By Herbert Vego

WHO would have thought of producing a movie that might not pass the scrutiny of the Movie and Television Review Classification Board (MTRCB)?

One such movie, set for showing nationwide in February, is “The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma,” which revives the events leading to the rape of teenage actress Pepsi Paloma in 1982.

Two of the “rapists” identified in the film are former Senate President Tito Sotto, who is running again for the same post in May, and his younger brother Vic.

The movie stars Rhed Bustamante as Pepsi, Gina Alajar as Pepsi, and Mon Confiado as Vic.

Certainly, producer/director Darryl Yap knows the risks. Only last Thursday, Vic Sotto filed 19 counts of cyberlibel against him at the Muntinlupa City Prosecutor’s Office.

The movie itself risks getting banned for being “unfit” even for adults. It could also be because the MTRCB chair is a daughter of Tito, former Quezon City councilor Diorella Maria ‘Lala’ Sotto-Antonio.

If he were investing his hard-earned money, why would Direk Darryl gamble? So far, he has not done a box-office hit.

His choice of a good lawyer to defend him, Raymund Fortun, would further cost him a fortune.

There must be somebody else who funded the production of the movie that would refocus public attention on the Sotto brothers and third “rapist” Joey de Leon

Grapevine has it that the fund provider is Sarah Discaya, a billionaire contractor doing business with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

So far, this woman who is running against re-electionist Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, a son of Vic, has neither confirmed nor denied it.

Anyway, since Vico has built a reputation for himself as a “straight” public servant in contrast with “crooked” predecessors, the presumed “demolition job” would not work. As the saying goes, “The fault of the father is not the fault of the son.”

The movie recreates the gang rape inside Rm.  210 of the Sulo Hotel in Quezon City sometime in 1982.

By the way, as PR associate of the late optometrist Dr. Rey dela Cruz, manager of Pepsi, I would often see her in his clinic on P. Gomez St., Quiapo, Manila.

I remember that in its issue of October 13, 1982, the tabloid People’s Journal reported that Joey De Leon, Vic Sotto and the late comedian Richie D’Horsie (but not Tito) had issued a signed public apology to abort her intention to sue, to wit: “We hope that you will not allow the error we have committed against you to stand as a stumbling block to that future which we all look forward to. We therefore ask you to find it in your heart to pardon us for the wrong which we have done against you.”

Apology accepted.

But that was not the end. Almost three years later on May 31, 1985, Pepsi Paloma, 18, was found lifeless, hanging by the rope in her apartment. The police concluded it was a case of suicide.

Was it? Or was she murdered to ensure her perpetual silence?

-oOo-

NO MORE SPAGHETTI WIRES ON J.M. BASA

THE undergrounding of power lines along J. M. Basa, also known by its old name Calle Real, has been completed after one year of work by linemen and utility personnel of MORE Electric & Power Corp.

In appreciation of that achievement, Mayor Jerry Treñas told us, “It serves as an inspiring example of what can be achieved through political determination and effective partnership benefiting the community.”

With its vibrant atmosphere, the Calle Real has become more conducive and appealing to the public, including vendors, shoppers, and tourists.

The underground cabling is an offshoot of the city’s Regulation Ordinance 2023-006, dated March 13, 2023, which mandated undergrounding of all wires and cables within the confines of all plaza complexes.”

Earlier undergrounded was the long stretch of the B.S. Aquino Avenue.

Iloilo is the first in the Visayas to have implemented a local government unit-public utility initiated underground cabling.

Aside from MORE Power personnel, others involved in the project came from various telecommunication companies.