Delia Duenas Smith, known professionally as Pepsi Paloma, was a Filipino-American actress and dancer. She was discovered at age 14 by Tita Ester and introduced to talent manager Rey dela Cruz in 1980. The following year, she made her film debut in Brown Emmanuelle and adopted the stage name Pepsi Paloma.

Paloma appeared in several films during her short career. In the early 1980s, she accused comedians Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon, and Ricardo Reyes of raping her and fellow actress Guada Guarin. She alleged that they were drugged and assaulted at the Sulo Hotel in Quezon City. The case did not proceed to court after Paloma signed an Affidavit of Desistance, reportedly under pressure. Some accounts claim her mother signed the document, while others allege that Tito Sotto, brother of Vic Sotto, intervened and coerced her into dropping the charges.

On May 31, 1985, Paloma was found dead in her apartment, in what police ruled as suicide by hanging. Authorities cited the earlier rape case as a possible contributing factor. A diary found in her room mentioned financial difficulties and personal issues with her mother and boyfriend, although her manager, Babette Corcuerra, disputed these claims, stating that Paloma had been earning well at the time.

(Source: MyDramaList) Edit Biography