'Kontra Bida Queen' Bella Flores dies

MANILA, Philippines – Actress Bella Flores passed away this morning due to complications brought by a stroke. She was 84.

The news came from the veteran actress' daughter Ruby Arcilla, who said her mother's remains lie in state at the Loyola Memorial Chapels on Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City. The award-winning actress complained having trouble breathing before being brought to the Quezon City General Hospital by Arcilla and friend Imelda Papin.

Flores’ blood pressure reportedly went down and doctors tried to revive her but were unsuccessful. The actress was declared dead at 1:27 a.m.

Born  Remedios Papa Dancel, Flores was known for playing mostly antagonistic roles in a myriad of local films. 

Appearing in more than 100 films, the former Camay girl was 14 when she appeared in her first film Tatlong Balaraw in 1950. Flores received critical acclaim for her role in Ang Kaibigan Kong Santo Niño, winning the 1967 FAMAS Best Supporting Actress award in the process.

She was also given the Lifetime Achievement Award in 1989 by the Film Academy of the Philippines.