Bella Flores
Remedios Papa Dancel (February 27, 1929 – May 19, 2013),[1][2] commonly known as Bella Flores, was a Filipina film actress. She was best known for her "iconic" portrayals of film villains.[3] Known as the original Primera Kontrabida in the Philippine Showbiz.[4]
Bella Flores | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Remedios Papa Dancel February 27, 1929 |
| Died | May 19, 2013 (aged 84) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1950–2013 |
| Children | Ruby Dancel-Arcilla |
| Parent(s) | Matias Dancel (father) Emilia Papa (mother) |
| Relatives | Jesse Arcilla (son-in-law) Jessica Dancel-Arcilla (granddaughter) |
| Awards | FAMAS Best Supporting Actress 1967 Ang Kaibigan Kong Santo Niño |
Life and career
Flores was born Remedios Papa Dancel in Manila to Matias Dancel, a slipper maker, and Emilia Papa. She was a college sophomore at the Far Eastern University when she appeared in her first film, Tatlong Balaraw (1950), at age 21.
Flores was signed by Sampaguita Pictures. She was cast in Roberta as the cruel stepmother of Tessie Agana's titular character, despite being 22 years old. The film was a box-office success, credited with saving Sampaguita Pictures from bankruptcy after a fire had destroyed its studio.[1] The film's success also elevated Flores into the upper tier of stars, and typecast her in villainous roles. The film critic Nestor Torre remarked that Flores had "been making life miserable for many generations of hapless stars—all the way back to little Tessie Agana and Boy Alano in 'Roberta' in the early 1950s, to her fresh batch of victims in the New Millennium... doing it without skipping a beat—and without aging (much) to boot."[3] She received the 1967 FAMAS Best Supporting Actress award for her role in Ang Kaibigan Kong Santo Niño and bella mora.[1]
Filmography
Movies
| Year | Title | Role(s) | Film Company |
| 2012 | My Kontrabida Girl | Herself | |
| 2011 | Way Back Home | Lola Nita | |
| 2005 | D' Anothers | Precious | |
| 1998 | Ginto't Pilak | Landlady | VIVA Films |
| 1997 | Nakawin Mo ang aking Puso | Mameng | MAQ Productions |
| 1996 | Ikaw ang Mahal Ko | Felipa | |
| 1996 | Ang Misis Kong Hoodlum | Widow #1 | Neo Films |
| 1994 | The Secrets of Sarah Jane: Sana'y Mapatawad Mo! | Recruiter | Regal Films |
| 1992 | Shake Rattle and Roll IV | Mama Monang | |
| 1990 | May Isang Tsuper ng Taxi | Aling Maring | FPJ Productions |
| Petrang Kabayo 2: Anong Ganda Mo? Mukha Kang Kabayo! | Monina | ||
| 1989 | The Fastest Gun Alive of WPD | Nana Toyang | Kelly Ellis Films International |
| May Pulis, May Pulis sa Ilalim ng Tulay | Belle | ||
| 1988 | Buy One, Take One | Zarah | |
| 1986 | Batang Quiapo | Mila | |
| 1985 | Tinik sa Dibdib | Kikay | |
| 1984 | Anak ni Waray vs. Anak ni Biday | Carol | Regal Films |
| 1980 | Waikiki: Sa Lupa ng ating Mga Pangarap | Bella | Regal Films |
| Under-Age | Berta | Regal Films | |
| 1953 | Diwani | Ramona |
Television
| Year | Title | Role(s) | Network |
| 2010 | Sine Novela: Mars Ravelo's Trudis Liit | Donya Hershey Ferrer | GMA Network |
| 2005 – 2006 | Mga Anghel na Walang Langit | Gaudencia "Gude" Redondo-Hawkins | ABS-CBN |
Death
Flores died on May 19, 2013, in Quezon City General Hospital.[2] Her death was a result of complications from a recent hip surgery.[5]
Legacy
Bella Flores Foundation
The family of the late veteran actress Bella Flores plans to establish a foundation in her name and to organize a fundraising concert to benefit show business personalities with Alzheimer’s disease.
This was announced Tuesday night by singer Imelda Papin, Flores' niece. Flores was diagnosed with early stages of Alzheimer's and diabetes months before she died on May 19. The concert is tentatively set for July at the Aliw Theater in Pasay City, Papin said.
Flores' daughter Ruby Arcilla said during the wake on Tuesday, "If mom's death could pave the way for… these projects, she would be very happy. She always tried to do what she could for her colleagues."
Arcilla said that a woman approached her during the wake to say thanks. "The lady said she showed mom her doctor’s prescription and mom gave what she could afford. I hope other actors would do the same – give from their hearts."
In Popular Culture
- Former teen star Valerie Concepcion plays the role of the late veteran actress Bella Flores in a drama anthology of her feature story of Bella's lifetime in Star Confessions aired on TV5 (now The 5 Network) in 2011.
- GMA 7 Comedian John Feir plays as "Belly Florie" a parody version of the late veteran actress Bella Flores in a defunct comedy Gag Show "Nuts Entertainment" on GMA 7 in 2003.
References
- Lena Pareja (1994). "Philippine Film". In Nicanor Tiongson (ed.). CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art. VIII (1st ed.). Manila: Cultural Center of the Philippines. p. 250. ISBN 971-8546-31-6.
- "Actress Bella Flores dies early Sunday at 84". GMA News. Retrieved 2013-05-19.
- Nestor U. Torre (2007-07-24). "Guilty pleasures in the biz". Viewfinder. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on 2008-10-07. Retrieved 2008-03-05.
- Reyes, William (May 24, 2013). "Nora Aunor mourns death of "primera kontrabida" Bella Flores". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved 28 January 2014.
- "Legendary actress Bella Flores passes away at 84". InterAksyon. Archived from the original on 2013-06-08. Retrieved 2013-05-19.
External links
- Bella Flores on IMDb