Pepsi Paloma

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In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Dueñas and the surname or paternal family name is Smith.

Pepsi Paloma
entertainer
Years active1980–1985

Delia Dueñas Smith (July 17, 1966 – May 31, 1985), better known as Pepsi Paloma, was a Filipino-American dancer and actress in the Philippines. She was one of the popular Softdrinks Beauties introduced in the 1980s along with Sarsi Emmanuelle and Coca Nicolas. She was known for films such as Brown Emanuelle (1981), The Victim (1982), Krus sa Bawat Punglo (1982), Virgin People (1983), Snake Sisters (1983), Naked Island (1984), Matukso kaya ang Anghel? (1984) and Room 69 (1985).

Career

Paloma was born as Delia Dueñas Smith on July 17, 1966. She was the eldest daughter of Lydia Dueñas, a native of Borac, Northern Samar, and an American letter carrier, Kenneth Smith, who abandoned his family when the children were still young. When she was 14 years old, a talent scout named Tita Ester brought Paloma to talent manager Rey dela Cruz in 1980 for a possible film career. In 1981, she made her debut in the movie Brown Emmanuelle. She was given the stage name Pepsi Paloma and was promoted as one of the members of the so-called “soft drink” beauties together with Coca Nicolas and Sarsi Emmanuelle.[2]

Rape case and aftermath

After appearing in a handful of films, Paloma was involved in a highly publicized scandal when she accused comedians

Maggie de la Riva's case two decades prior.[4] According to a retracted article by the Philippine Daily Inquirer
, it was also around this time that Paloma was reported missing and was found being held captive by convicted felon Bienvenido "Ben Ulo" Mendoza, a relative of the Sottos. Despite his arrest and confession, there is no record that Ben Ulo was ever charged with any crime connected with the abduction of Paloma.

Although the three suspects initially denied Paloma's accusations, they later issued a public apology, on their knees on live TV,[2] and in an article published by the People's Journal on October 13, 1982, saying:

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.

Due to the signed Affidavit of Desistance, Paloma did not pursue her complaint and the case did not go to court.

Death

On May 31, 1985, Paloma was found dead in her apartment, in an apparent suicide by hanging. According to police investigation, the rape case was one factor of her suicide. A diary, citing monetary problems and anxieties over her relationship with her mother and her boyfriend, was found in her bedroom, although the authenticity of the journal entries have been questioned, especially by her manager Babette "Babe" Corcuerra, who claims she was actually earning well.[4] She was buried at Olongapo Memorial Park in Olongapo, Zambales.[5][6]

Aftermath

Despite the suspects' earlier apology, Tito Sotto has maintained his position against any involvement in the

The Philippine Inquirer to remove published articles available online mentioning the Pepsi Paloma Case damaging to his current reputation as a Senator.[9][10] In a 2024 interview with Julius Babao, fellow former Softdrink Beauty Coca Nicolas also denied the allegations, maintaining that the TVJ rape scandal was merely a publicity stunt orchestrated by their manager, Rey dela Cruz, and that no such sexual assault actually took place.[11]

References

  1. ^ "Gravetour of the Famous E81 Pepsi Paloma (Delia Smith) Olongapo Memorial Park - Zambales". YouTube.com. Graveyard Pinoy TV. May 22, 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Where Are They Now: Pepsi Paloma and the Other "Softdrink Beauties" of the '80s". Esquire. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  3. ^ "Pepsi Paloma and Tito Sotto's disco days". The Manila Times. June 26, 2018. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  4. ^ a b "33 Years After She Died, We Still Remember the Myth of Pepsi Paloma". Esquire. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  5. ^ "The Mysterious Life And Death of Pepsi Paloma". FilipiKnow. Retrieved November 1, 2015.
  6. ^ "BOLD STARS OF THE 80s #3: THE CRUEL WORLD OF PEPSI PALOMA". March 14, 2009. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
  7. ^ De Jesus, Topel V. (March 3, 2016). "Tito Sotto denies whitewashing Pepsi Paloma rape case". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
  8. ABS-CBN News
    . March 4, 2016. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
  9. ^ "INQUIRER.net statement on the Pepsi Paloma stories". July 5, 2018. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  10. ^ "Beware The Streisand Effect: a Short Explainer for Sen. Tito Sotto". Esquire. June 18, 2018. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  11. ^ Gabinete, Jojo (January 7, 2024). "Coca Nicolas nagsalita tungkol sa nalalaman niya sa Pepsi Paloma controversy". PEP.ph. Archived from the original on January 7, 2024. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
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