Remedios Papa Dancel (February 27, 1929 – May 19, 2013),[1][2] commonly known as Bella Flores, was a Filipina actress. She was best known for her "iconic" portrayals of film villains.[3] She is popularly referred as the original “Queen of Kontrabidas” for being an enduring icon of Philippine culture and setting the standard on which kontrabidas will always be measured.[4]
Bella Flores | |
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Born | Remedios Papa Dancel February 27, 1929 Santa Cruz, Manila, Philippine Islands |
Died | May 19, 2013 (aged 84) Quezon City, Philippines |
Resting place | Our Lady of Eternal Peace Memorial Park, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan |
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 |
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]
Year | Title | Role(s) | Film Company |
---|---|---|---|
2012 | My Kontrabida Girl | Herself | GMA Films |
2011 | Way Back Home | Lola Nita | Star Cinema |
2005 | D' Anothers | Precious | Star Cinema |
2000 | 'Di Ko Kayang Tanggapin | Bella | World Arts Cinema |
1998 | Ginto't Pilak | Landlady | VIVA Films |
1997 | Nakawin Mo ang Aking Puso | Mameng | MAQ Productions |
1996 | Ikaw ang Mahal Ko | Felipa | FPJ Productions |
Ang Misis Kong Hoodlum | Widow #1 | Neo Films | |
1994 | The Secrets of Sarah Jane: Sana'y Mapatawad Mo! | Recruiter | Regal Films |
1993 | Dugo ng Panday | Bantay | Regal Films |
1992 | Shake, Rattle & Roll IV | Mama Monang | Regal Films |
1990 | May Isang Tsuper ng Taxi | Aling Maring | FPJ Productions |
Patigasan ang Labanan | Bella | Triple R Films | |
Paikot-ikot | Dorothy | OctoArts Films VIVA Films | |
Petrang Kabayo 2: Anong Ganda Mo? Mukha Kang Kabayo! | Monina | VIVA Films | |
1989 | Sgt. Niñonuevo: The Fastest Gun Alive of WPD | Nana Toyang | Kelly Ellis Films International |
Pulis Pulis sa Ilalim ng Tulay | Belle | Regal Films | |
1988 | Buy One, Take One | Zarah | VIVA Films |
Nakausap Ko ang Birhen | Sister Rafaelita | Regal Films | |
1986 | Batang Quiapo | Mila | Regal Films |
1985 | Tinik sa Dibdib | Kikay | VIVA Films |
Sanay | Doña Beatriz | MM Film Patterns International | |
1984 | Anak ni Waray vs. Anak ni Biday | Carol | Regal Films |
Missing in Action | Madame Pearl | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer | |
1983 | Tulume Alyas Zorro | Doña Sabel | Gold Sun Productions |
To Mama with Love | Store owner | Regal Films | |
1982 | Diary of Cristina Gaston | Bella | Regal Films |
1980 | Waikiki: Sa Lupa ng Ating Mga Pangarap | Bella | Regal Films |
Under-Age | Berta | Regal Films | |
Kastilyong Buhangin | Viring | Lotus Films | |
1978 | Atsay | Mrs. Aguila | Ian Film Productions |
Mahal Mo, Mahal Ko | Bella | Regal Films | |
1953 | Diwani | Ramona | Sampaguita Pictures |
Year | Title | Role(s) | Network |
---|---|---|---|
2010 | Sine Novela: Mars Ravelo's Trudis Liit | Doña Hershey Ferrer | GMA Network |
2005-2006 | Mga Anghel na Walang Langit | Gaudencia "Gude" Redondo-Hawkins | ABS-CBN |
1999-2001 | Marinella | Doña Guadalupe "Guada" Villareal | |
1997 | Esperanza | Mrs. Sanidad |
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]
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, 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."