8 Reasons Why Bella Flores is the Greatest “Kontrabida” of All Time

There will never be another Bella Flores. On her 4^th death anniversary, let us count the reasons why she achieves “Kontrabida” immortality.

1. She was a cruel stepmother at 22

Bella was cast as Tessie Agana’s cruel stepmother in the 1951 film Roberta. Even for her young age she was able to pull off the role and the film was a box office success.

2. She did it from 1950 to 2012

Bella Flores had a remarkable career that spanned 6 decades.

3. The greatest kontrabidas in Philippine Cinema refer to her as the “Grand Dame of Villainy”

In an interview following Ms. Flores’ death, Cherie Gil paid tribute to her and even went as far as saying that all other kontrabidas are just Bella’s copycats.

4. She has slapped the faces of the country’s biggest stars

With more than a hundred films to her credit, Bella Flores has played villainess to the biggest names in Philippine showbiz.

5. Her name means “Beautiful Flower”in Spanish

Her real name was Remedios Papa Dancel but she carried her screen name into iconic status.

6. She frightens children away in auditions

Several stories of child stars running away from her in auditions are known in Philippine showbiz. One of the most notable would be a very young Vilma Santos in the film Trudis Liit.

7. She made mascara a deadly weapon

Children cry and protagonists back off when those eyebrows are raised and Bella flashes that “Kontrabida” death stare.

8. Even her laugh is iconic

The trademark villainess laugh of Bella Flores will forever echo in the halls of Philippine Cinema.

Want to be a Primera Kontrabida too? Learn from the best – the one and only Bella Flores! Watch Kontrabida 101 now.