By Euden Valdez/Manila Times


Philippine cinema and TV’s most iconic ‘kontrabida’ (negative character), Bella Flores, died at the Quezon City General Hospital on Sunday.
She was 84.
Flores, whose blood pressure dropped from 86 to 44, was rushed to the hospital by her only child Ruby Arcilla and friend, singer Imelda Papin. After several attempts to revive her, she succumbed and was pronounced dead at 1.27 am.
In an interview with dzBB, Papin said they brought Flores to the hospital.
“She could hardly breathe. We were trying to revive her I think for three times, but we weren’t able to revive her.”
Flores’ daughter posted on Facebook, “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 previous interviews earlier this year, Arcilla asked for prayers for her mother whose condition continued to worsen after she fell inside her bathroom last year. This accident prompted the then 83-year-old actress to undergo a hip surgery, after which she became bedridden.
Flores was also suffering from diabetes, heart disease and early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
Flores, whose real name is Remedios Papa Dancel, was only 14 when she was cast in her first movie, Balaraw, in 1950. A year later, Sampaguita Pictures signed her up as a talent.