Remedios Papa Dancel (February 27, 1929 – May 19, 2013), commonly known as Bella Flores, was a Filipino actress whose career spanned over six decades. Known primarily for her villainess roles in film and television, she has received eight FAMAS Award for Best Supporting Actress nominations, winning one for Kaibigan Ko'ng Sto. Niño (1967). She was awarded with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Luna Awards in 1989 for her contributions to Philippine cinema.
Flores is widely known as the "Queen of Kontrabidas" and "Primera Kontrabida" in the history of Philippine movies.
Life and career Flores was born Remedios Papa Dancel in Manila to Matias Dancel, a slipper maker, and Emilia Papa, both from San Antonio, Nueva Ecija. She finished her primary education at Cecilio Apostol Elementary School, and secondary education at Roosevelt College. 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. 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." She received the 1967 FAMAS Best Supporting Actress award for her role in Ang Kaibigan Kong Santo Niño and bella mora.
Filmography Film Year Title Role(s) 1951 Roberta Bar girl 1953 Diwani Ramona 1978 Mahal Mo, Mahal Ko Bella Atsay Mrs. Aguila 1980 Kastilyong Buhangin Viring Under-Age Berta Waikiki: Sa Lupa ng Ating Mga Pangarap Bella 1982 Diary of Cristina Gaston Bella 1983 To Mama with Love Store owner Tulume Alyas Zorro Doña Sabel 1984 Anak ni Waray vs. Anak ni Biday Carol Missing in Action Madame Pearl 1985 Sanay Doña Beatriz Tinik sa Dibdib Kikay 1986 Batang Quiapo Mila 1988 Nakausap Ko ang Birhen Sister Rafaelita Buy One, Take One Zarah 1989 Pulis, Pulis sa Ilalim ng Tulay Belle Sgt. Niñonuevo: The Fastest Gun Alive of WPD Nana Toyang 1990 Petrang Kabayo 2: Anong Ganda Mo? Mukha Kang Kabayo! Monina Paikot-ikot Dorothy Patigasan ang Labanan Bella May Isang Tsuper ng Taxi Aling Maring 1992 Shake, Rattle & Roll IV Mama Monang 1993 Dugo ng Panday Bantay 1994 The Secrets of Sarah Jane: Sana'y Mapatawad Mo! Recruiter 1996 Ang Misis Kong Hoodlum Widow #1 Ikaw ang Mahal Ko Felipa 1997 Nakawin Mo ang Aking Puso Mameng 1998 Tataynic Colonel's wife Ginto't Pilak Landlady 2000 Di Ko Kayang Tanggapin Bella 2005 D' Anothers Precious 2011 Way Back Home Lola Nita 2012 My Kontrabida Girl Herself
Television Year Title Role(s) 1997 Esperanza Mrs. Sanidad 2000–2001 Marinella Doña Guadalupe "Guada" Villareal 2005 Spirits Milagros 2005–2006 Mga Anghel na Walang Langit Gaudencia "Gude" Redondo-Hawkins 2010 Sine Novela: Mars Ravelo's Trudis Liit Doña Hershey Ferrer
Death Flores died on May 19, 2013, in Quezon City General Hospital. Her death was a result of complications from a recent hip surgery.
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, 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 Flori" a parody version of the late veteran actress Bella Flores in a defunct comedy Gag Show "Nuts Entertainment" on GMA 7 in 2003.
References
External links