Bella Flores passes away at 84
Bella Flores with daughter Ruby (Contributed photo)
Bella Flores (real name: Remedios Papa Dancel), the actress moviegoers loved to hate for decades because of her villain roles, passed away at the Quezon City General Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 1:27 a.m. on Sunday, May 19.
Bella’s only child Ruby Arcilla posted in her Facebook page: “I will miss you mommy! I love you very much. Rest now for you have done so much for your loved ones. God will welcome you in His Kingdom."
Bella’s granddaughter Jessica also told Yahoo! Philippines OMG! over the phone that the iconic screen villain had a stroke around four months ago and suffered from Alzheimer’s.
Bella’s only child Ruby, her husband Jessie and Jessica left their life in the US three years ago to bring the actress home to the Philippines, where she was able to do what she loved best: perform on screen. Bella’s latest film was shown last December in celebration of Bench’s 25th anniversary.
An accident which damaged her hip led to the deterioration of Bella’s health.
Lady Dean of Contravidas
Bella is known as as the Lady Dean of Contravidas. She has made life miserable on screen for such big stars as Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos and Maricel Soriano.
Read related story: What veteran actress Bella Flores needs
“Alam kong mahirap at di gawang biro ang maging kontrabida,” she said in an interview published the “Artista sa Pelikula `85 Actors’ Yearbook.” “Ibigin ko mang maging bida ay talagang di pwede, at ayoko naman ipilit sa ‘kin. Ngunit mabalik tayo sa kontrabida, dito masusukat ang kakayahan ng isang artista. Kung tutuusin, mas mahirap ang papel kaysa bida.”
Bella was introduced in “Kilabot sa Makiling” and became a full-fledged star in Sampaguita Pictures’ “Roberta.” She was named FAMAS Best Supporting Actress in 1967 for “Ang Kaibigan Kong Sto. Nino” and won in the same category for “Dugo ng Bayan” for the Olongapo Film Festival in 1973.
Bella’s remains can be viewed at the Loyola Commonwealth Crematory 1 at 7 p.m. on May 19 and at Premiere 2, also at Loyola on May 20.
