Queen of radio soap operas dies

Eloisa Cruz Canlas, otherwise known as “Lola Sela Bungangera,” the inimitable Queen of Radio Drama, died on July 15 from an illness she contracted following a road accident on November 3 last year.

She is survived by sons Robert and Edward.

Her remains lie at Holy Trinity Chapels, Dr. A. Santos Avenue, Sucat, Parañaque City. Cremation will be held on July 18 at 10 a.m.

Lola Sela began her voice-acting career on campus radio as a hobby and later turned her exceptional talent into a career on dzRH radio and the Manila Broadcasting Corp. for more than five decades.

She pioneered in radio operas in the 1970s that endorsed soap products such as Safeguard, Tide, Mr. Clean, Camay and many others.

Earlier last year, she was conferred the University of the Philippines Gawad Plaridel Award for her unique abilities and contribution to the broadcast industry.