Boots on aging, faith and living for the moment

I have known Boots Anson Roa-Rodrigo for more than 20 years. Whether crossing paths at bustling showbiz parties or lively press conferences, she has always struck me as the epitome of a lady of substance — consistently gracious, warm and accommodating.

When we ran into each other recently at the birthday dinner of her dear friend Helen Gamboa, Tita Boots casually mentioned her new biography, appropriately titled Grateful. Knowing her life has been nothing short of cinematic, I immediately asked for an interview, certain her story would deeply inspire many.

What follows is a beautiful, candid conversation that goes far beyond her five decades in the spotlight. At 81 years old, her philosophy on aging, faith and living for the moment is a masterclass in resilience. Here is my heartfelt conversation with the timeless Boots Anson Roa-Rodrigo:

Your acting career spans over five decades and yet on top of that you wear several hats as well: wife to Atty. King Rodrigo, mother to four children, grandmother to nine grandchildren and a doting great-grandmother to two. Over and above, you help colleagues in the movie industry through Mowelfund (Movie Workers Welfare Foundation) for which you were president and executive director for 18 years but continue to serve as chair of the Board of Trustees. Please define each role and share your most unforgettable experience in each.

“Wife to Atty. King Rodrigo: Best friend (BFF); partner; counselor; self-appointed and proud alalay; amateur masahista ng likod at paa. Rodrigo domicile chief operating officer — taga-plano; taga-budget; taga-asikaso ng maintenance at ng kasambahay. My wedding to King on June 14, 2014, began the second most important chapter of my life, thanks to the God of second chances.

“Mother: Nurturer, guide, adviser (when solicited) to four children; taga-spoil ng nine na apo; specially the two great-grandchildren (Reese and Maddie) from grandson Randy Puno and the former Cheska Mendiola.

“I try hard to duplicate the above role with King’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I thank them for embracing me into the Rodrigo Clan. Most memorable: On King’s 86th birthday and our 11th anniversary on June 14, 2025, when all his children and grandchildren from New Jersey and Manila and my children and grandchildren (from Virginia and Manila) got together and organized the event in New Jersey. A veritable Brady Bunch.

“Mowelfund: After some 30 years serving Mowelfund from volunteer to Chairman, I have been labeled as a ‘servant leader,’ ‘star and slave,’ ‘poster girl,’ ‘pillar to lean on’ and dakilang manlilimos’ (great beggar) to benefactors. Most memorable event in recent memory: When we finished paying off debts and obligations, realized the Mowelfund benefits from our joint development program with Victor Consunji, and transferred to our new building in 2022.”

The title of your biography Grateful has been your lifetime mantra and philosophy as described by Grace Poe, who wrote the foreword. Reading your book affirms that you truly are blessed to have a wonderful life, but what were the biggest challenges, doubts or obstacles that you faced and how did you overcome them?

“My biggest challenges were in high school when my parents experienced emotional turmoil in their marriage, alongside deep financial crises that lasted beyond their separation and divorce in 1962. I was 17 then and acted as a surrogate mother to my siblings, who were scarred and scathed by our dysfunctional home situation.

“In 1963, a ray of hope shone when Channel 5 offered me a hosting job for a nightly teen dance variety show. There I met my husband-to–be and co-host Pete Roa. I lost my scholarship, left my thesis unfinished, and eloped with Pete. Happily, the marriage blessed us with four children and lasted for 43 years until his stroke, bout with cancer and death in 2007. From 1982 to 1993, we worked and lived in the Washington DC and Virginia area. I was posted as a media attaché in the Philippine Embassy from 1982 to 1986.

“After my embassy stint, I worked in various jobs — from call center agent to Hyatt Hotel guest relations officer, to Kennedy Center Subscription agent, to executive director of the Association of Philippine Physicians in America, to finally a full-time job as executive assistant to the operations head of Citizens Bank of Washington, a 103-branch bank in DC, Virginia, and Maryland.

“On my fifth year, I was promoted to head the three-state branch merchandising after the bank sent me for studies at the American Institute of Banking, and I became secretary of the Washington DC Chapter of the Association of Financial Women Executives (FINEX).

“In 1993, we decided to repatriate. I had to resign from the Bank, which had offered me a quick rise to bank officer. An AVP position was in the offing. On my last day at the bank, the president honored me before some 200 interstate officers. More than the cash gifts and presents, what sent me to tears was when bank president Linwood Cotman extolled me as ‘the Filipina who introduced a new work ethic to the Citizens Bank of Washington.’ After the overwhelming applause from diverse foreign nationalities (there were only three Filipinos), my colleagues gave me a standing ovation. It was unlike any I had received in my years in showbiz here.

“When we returned home in 1993, I had no inkling how I would be received in an ‘out-of-sight, out–of-mind’ industry after an 11-year absence. I found it incredible that even before we flew home, I already had three film offers from major studios, all for the Metro Manila Film Festival, a big guesting in ‘Maalaala Mo Kaya,’ four regular TV series and three commercials. I have not stopped since. More importantly, I vowed to support film advocacy institutions like Mowelfund for marginalized film workers, the Communication Foundation for Asia, the Jesuit Communication Foundation and Caritas Manila.

“My husband, broadcaster/director Pete Roa, suffered a stroke in 1997. This left his body half-paralyzed. In early 2007, he contracted stomach cancer, which metastasized to his lungs and brain. In August of 2007, we lost him.

“I was blessed with continued recognition in industry service and acting and hosting projects in film and television in the succeeding years. My children were successful in their own pursuits. The grandchildren came… and they were precious.

“But busy as I was, I did have my pangs of loneliness until in 2012, my path occasionally crossed with that of widower Atty. Francisco ‘King’ Rodrigo, Jr. In 2013, his daughter died of cancer. I attended her memorial services. Our ties were rekindled, with his and my siblings acting as conniving matchmakers. On June 14, 2014, on his 75th birthday, his 100-year-old mother, Remedios Enriquez Rodrigo, walked him to the altar of the Archbishop’s Palace to await me. At age 69, I was escorted by my two sons, Joey and Ben. The rest is a marriage divined in Heaven but made here on earth. Through my peaks and valleys, I was never alone. The Spirit was all-abiding. In St. Paul’s words: ‘I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race; I have kept the Faith.’”

In the world of show business, they say friendships are artificial and “user-friendly.” Yet you have managed to forge true friendships with some of the biggest icons in the industry: FPJ, Susan Roces, Dolphy, Joseph Estrada, Helen Gamboa and Charo Santos-Concio. What is the secret?

“Some of my closest friends from the movies are gone: FPJ, Susan Roces, Dolphy. In my heart, I will always remember them. Joseph Estrada, Helen Gamboa and Charo Santos continue to resonate and remain relevant in the business. I share with them the common values of gratitude, respect, sacrifice, loyalty and the deep love we have kindled in our colleagues in this industry we all love.”

At the very ripe age of 81, share with us your longevity secrets.

“If I could request from our Master Producer and Director our storyline for our longevity, I would ask Him not to make me ‘overstay’ to spare my loved ones the discomfort of providing for and taking care of the sick and the aged. They deserve better. Besides, He remains the Master Planner and will choose when and where He will keep us in place and with whom. He is a God of surprises.

“I have learned early on that I do not hold my future. Only He does in the palm of His hand. And so I choose to cooperate and surrender to Him control over my remaining years. Responsibly, I plan, accepting, however, that He disposes. At 81, and King soon at 87, ‘Carpe Diem’ is our mantra. We live for the Day, we seize the moment, mindful of our duties and obligations, without knowing how long this moment will last.”

“We invoke Proverbs: ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, abide by Him. And He will guide our path.’ We begin and end each day with gratitude; that we awakened in the morning and that we have made it through the day. As the German Dominican philosopher Meister Eckhart advocates, if the only prayer we know is ‘Thank you,’ that will be enough.”

Grateful available in Shopee and Lazada for P1,500.