Bella Flores has died. (Update: Here’s a ringtone so you can remember her whenever you get a call.)
Photo from Pelikula, Atbp.
Bella Flores, the archetypal villainess of Filipino cinema, has died.
So now we’re stuck with inferior copies.
We never had the pleasure of meeting Bella Flores, but we think of her every time our phone rings. Literally, because she is our ringtone.
Noel worked with her on an ad a few years ago, and he asked her to record this.
Suddenly we feel like wearing a beehive hairdo, carrying an extra-long cigarette holder, and walking around arms akimbo. Well half-akimbo, since we’d need one hand for the cigarette holder.
With the original gone, we’ll have to make do with our inner Bella Flores.
* * * * *
Mark McCullie, who recorded Bella Flores, is sharing the sound file with everyone. Thank you!
If you download it, do say thanks to Mark.
Answers to questions you might be asking, unless you wandered onto this site purely by accident >>>
May 19th, 2013 at 10:31
Wala na ang Ina ng mga nang-aapi! MABUHAY si Bea “Valentina” Flores!
May 19th, 2013 at 10:59
“Copies” is so right on the butt. There goes a real character. I can think of some people that can die in her place. Like that (REDACTED).
May 19th, 2013 at 16:15
wangbumaximus21: Valentina is Tita Celia Rodriguez. Yes, we call her Tita. She is a different class of villainess—haughty and sosyal.
Tita Celia says the full name of Valentina, Darna’s nemesis is Dr. Valentina Vrandakapoor, Ph.D. in Reptilian Zoology from the University of New Delhi.
Tita Celia did some ramp modeling in the ’70s. When Pucci came to Manila she appeared in his show. He told her that any time she came to Milan she should look him up. So on her next trip to Italy she went to his studio. “Turn around!” he said, so she did. “I cannot tell the front from the back!” he cried. Then he put her in a show. Yes, Tita Celia Rodriguez modeled for Pucci.
May 19th, 2013 at 16:16
Momelia: If we give you a nice notebook will you do Momelia’s Burn Book?
May 20th, 2013 at 01:19
I would love to read Momelia’s Burn Book.
May 20th, 2013 at 12:17
I think it was in Kapelikula cafe before where I saw a rather sultry version of her in a b&w photo. I think it’s the eyebrows – the switch from seductress to villainess.
She will be sorely missed. She is one of those rare actors where the name says it all: Bella Flores – no more need be said.
May 20th, 2013 at 13:48
One of the first thoughts that came to my mind after hearing about Bella Flores was this: “I wonder how Jessica’s going to feel once she finds out that her ringtone has passed away.”
We should all be so blessed to have a Bella Flores in our lifetime. RIP.
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Celia Rodriguez! I still remember your review of “Oh, Margie, Oh!” in the old Womenagerie column, where somebody does a flamenco over Tita Celia’s contact lenses. Can’t remember for the life of my why this has stuck with me all this time, but I crack up whenever I think about it.
May 20th, 2013 at 16:01
I recorded her that day. Just wanted to share a link to the generic version of the ringtone incase anyone wants to have a Bella Flores ringtone too =) https://soundcloud.com/mark-mccullie/bella-flores-ringtone
May 20th, 2013 at 20:27
I saw an feature on her a few weeks ago, lying in bed, weak and frail. TV shows shouldn’t do that to icons like her. Can’t we just remember them in their prime and leave it at that?
Anyway, thank you Marc for the ring tone. I made everyone from my team listen to it, they’re all shivering in terror hehe.
May 20th, 2013 at 20:48
brewhuh23: Good point. Pity porn: broadcasting images of people who are weak, ailing or miserable so the audience can feel pity for them and better about their own lives.
It’s a question of respect. TV networks, newspapers, anyone with a camera presumes that everybody wants to be photographed, no matter what state they’re in. Ask first. Not everyone is falling all over themselves for a little attention.
We remembered how in the aftermath of the big earthquake in Baguio a reporter aimed a microphone at a girl who was half-buried in the rubble and asked her how she was feeling. In these situations it is useful to imagine yourself in the other person’s place and how you would feel if you were asked that question. Empathy, people. It won’t kill you.
May 20th, 2013 at 20:51
Haha, the word Redacted never fails to make me smile. Lavet! But wait. I shouldn’t be smiling, given the nature of this post, so let me move forward and ask with eagerness instead. What’s with the Burn Book, Madame?
Muahness from Pasig Cirehhh!
May 20th, 2013 at 20:57
Momelia: Like in Mean Girls. Ikaw si Rachel MacAdams.
May 20th, 2013 at 22:54
Thank you, Mark McCullie!
May 20th, 2013 at 23:10
Nakuu, ano itoo! Ano po ang nature nito, Madame? Lakas maka-moist ha! Haha, ano po ang aking gagawin?
May 20th, 2013 at 23:31
Momelia: Ang dami-daming tanong, nakakabagot. Gagawin mo ba o hindi?
May 21st, 2013 at 00:10
macladz, tenkyu!
May 21st, 2013 at 00:51
Momel! Fren! Do the burn book!
It’s the book where you can bitch about people. In the movie, the Mean Girls bitched about girls in their grade ahahaha. Super funny talaga nun. I miss Lola Tina Fey… ay Auntie pala. Auntie Tina. Parang pretzel lang.
Go na Momel! I support you :D and your long legged legs!
May 21st, 2013 at 00:52
Jessica – I remembered that interview during the Baguio earthquake. I think it was Korina Sanchez doing the interview. Naloka ako!
May 21st, 2013 at 01:11
Ay forte ko yan! Haha, push the button gow! Form feet and legs na ito!
May 21st, 2013 at 01:21
Momelia: Fantastic, we’ll leave the blank notebook at National Rockwell later.