Due to controversies surrounding the director and his film, some cinemas in the Philippines refused to screen it with the word "Rapist" in the title. As a result, Darryl Yap changed the title from The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma to Pepsi Paloma for its Philippine release, while the original title was retained for international screenings. Several singers also withdrew permission for their songs to be used in the movie. The MTRCB did not review the film until an official letter confirming the dismissal of Yap's case was submitted. While the film received mixed reactions, some speculated that it was deliberately blocked by MTRCB President Lala Sotto, Vic Sotto's niece and the daughter of former Senate President Tito Sotto, one of the key figures implicated in Pepsi Paloma's 1982 case.
This is Darryl Yap's first film not to be produced or distributed by Viva Films due to the sensitive issues involving TVJ (Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey De Leon).
In January 2025, veteran actor and television host Vic Sotto filed a legal complaint against filmmaker Darryl Yap over the promotional teaser for Yap's controversial film, The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma. The teaser mentioned Sotto by name, prompting him to accuse Yap of defamation and cyber libel. Later that month, the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court ruled in Sotto's favor, issuing a writ of habeas data that ordered the removal of specific portions of the teaser and required Yap to formally respond to the allegations. By the end of the month, the court mandated the complete deletion of the 26-second teaser from all online platforms. Despite the legal dispute, the court allowed Yap to continue the film's production and release. However, the MTRCB refused to review the film until the official case dismissal documents were submitted, ultimately delaying its mainstream theatrical release.
Despite the film's backlash from TVJ solid fans, Darryl Yap's trailer garnered millions of views on social media.
The "Softdrink Beauties" Myra Manibog, Sarsi Emmanuelle, Coca Nicolas, and Pepsi Paloma, were 1980s actresses known for erotic films. Discovered by Rey Dela Cruz.
In an exclusive interview with Julius Babao on a Youtube Ch., Myra and Sarsi dismissed Darryl Yap's film as misleading, claiming that Pepsi had personally told Coca that the rape allegations against TVJ were merely a publicity stunt to boost their group's fame. Additionally, the grandchild of the late Charito Solis (who is portrayed by Gina Alajar in the film) stated that the real Charito was very vocal about her group of friends and that in most birthday party photos of Solis at the time, it was TVJ who were always present, not Pepsi Paloma.
In an exclusive interview with Julius Babao on a Youtube Ch., Myra and Sarsi dismissed Darryl Yap's film as misleading, claiming that Pepsi had personally told Coca that the rape allegations against TVJ were merely a publicity stunt to boost their group's fame. Additionally, the grandchild of the late Charito Solis (who is portrayed by Gina Alajar in the film) stated that the real Charito was very vocal about her group of friends and that in most birthday party photos of Solis at the time, it was TVJ who were always present, not Pepsi Paloma.