Dubai: Actress Bella Flores died on Sunday. She was 84.
Flores was having difficulty breathing when she was rushed to the Quezon City General Hospital in the Philippines.
Doctors tried to revive Flores thrice, but failed. She was pronounced dead at 1:27am.
Flores' health has been deteriorating following a hip surgery last year. She was reportedly suffering from diabetes and Alzheimer's disease.
A wake will be held at the Loyola Crematory Chapel in Quezon City at 7pm and will be open for public viewing.
"I thank all her friends and fans. I hope they will continue to remember my mum and her contributions to local show business," her daughter Ruby Arcilla told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Messages of mourning
Filipino celebrities and fans took to social media networks to mourn one of the country's cinema icons.
"RIP to a woman who was dearly loved in the industry. Tita Bella Flores, you will be missed and will never be forgotten," actress Anne Curtis posted on Twitter. She signed it "Love, Genie Ginny", her character in the comedy sitcom Beh Bote Nga, which also included Flores in the cast.
"RIP to the most effective kontrabida (villain).. Bella Flores, may she rest in peace," TV personality Vice Ganda tweeted.
"So long madam Bella Flores and thank you for slapping so many to stardom," entertainment writer Orlando Cajegas posted on Facebook.
Early showbiz life
Flores first joined Philippine cinema at the age of 14. She starred in her first movie, Balara, in 1950.
She rose to stardom in the 1951 movie Roberta, where she played a cruel stepmother.
She played such a good villain that she's been typecast into similar roles in most of her other movies that followed.
Flores appeared in more than a hundred movies during her career. She was given a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Film Academy of the Philippines in 1989.
The real belle
Flores, whose real name is Medina P. Dancel, was born on February 27, 1929. She was married to police detective Nestor Reyes.
