Background
Flores was born Medina Papa Dancel in Manila.
Flores was born Medina Papa Dancel in Manila.
She was best known for her "iconic" portrayals of film villains. Known as the original Primera Kontrabida in the Philippine Showbiz. She was a college sophomore at the Far Eastern University when she appeared in her first film, Tatlong Balaraw (1950), at age 14.
Flores was signed by Sampaguita Pictures.
She was cast in Roberta as the cruel stepmother of Tessie Agana"s titular character, despite being 15 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.
Flores died on May 19, 2013, in Quezon City General Hospital.
Her death was a result of complications from a recent hip surgery. Bella Flores Foundation
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 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.”.