Yap introduces Pepsi Paloma’s mother, brother in defense of new movie

Darryl Yap (center) with the brother and mother of the late sexy star Pepsi Paloma. Image: Facebook/Darryl Yap

Darryl Yap is further speaking up about his controversial movie “The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma,” as he revealed that its storyline is based on the accounts of the late sexy star’s family.

The director introduced Paloma’s mother Lydia and brother Zaldy in a Facebook post on Tuesday, January 7, in what seemed to be a defense against the backlash regarding his upcoming movie. While it has yet to be released, the trailer has already sparked concerns about the portrayal of Paloma’s story.

“Sa loob ng 40 taon, pinakinggan at pinaniwalaan niyo na ang mga sikat, mga may pangalan, mga makapangyarihan, mga nagsalitang sila ang may alam, mga nagsabing sila ay kaibigan (For 40 years, we listened to and believed the claims of those who are famous, established themselves, powerful, those who claimed they know what happened, and those who claimed they’re friends),” he began.

Yap then revealed Paloma’s mother and brother “kept their silence,” while urging his followers to allow them to share their side of the story.

“Ngayon, bigyan natin ng pagkakataon ang Inang nanahimik nang napakatagal na panahon, ang Inang matapos mawalan ng anak ay patuloy na nasasaktan sa mga paratang at panghuhusga,” he said.

“Tapos na ang pananahimik ng nakababatang kapatid ni Pepsi, na noo’y 15 years old lamang, kasama ng aktres hanggang sa mismong araw na siya ay natagpuang walang buhay sa loob ng aparador,” Yap continued.

(Now, let’s give an opportunity to a mother who kept her silence for a long time, despite coping with the pain of being accused and judged after losing her child. Pepsi’s younger brother is done being silent. He was only 15 years old when he was with the actress until the day she was found dead inside a cupboard.)

The director then claimed that the movie will focus on Lydia and Zaldy’s side of the story, noting that Paloma’s family is the most important part of the late sexy star’s life.

“Mananahimik ang kasinungalinan dahil walang kamatayan ang katotohanan. Sila naman ang magsasalita, sila naman ang magkukwento. Pamilya. Higit sa lahat (The lies will be silenced because the truth will never die. It’s time for them to speak up. They will be the one who will tell the story this time. Family. The most important of all),” he said.

The movie—which was first announced in late 2024—stars former child actress Rhed Bustamante, Gina Alajar, Mon Confiado, Andres Balano Jr., and Shamaine Buencamino.

Since the release of the movie’s trailer, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) and the camps of Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon have yet to release a statement about the upcoming movie, as of press time.

INQUIRER.net has also reached out to the MTRCB and TVJ’s camps for comment but has yet to respond.