MANILA, Philippines?On Jan. 30, well-loved and ?durable? star, Boots Anson-Roa, is marking her birthday with a special get-together with friends and loved ones at Mowelfund Plaza, Cubao, QC (929-9571).

What?s so special about this particular milestone? It?s Boots? 65th ?vintage? year, and she?s celebrating it in a characteristically selfless way: ?In lieu of gifts,? the invitation reads, ?a donation to Mowelfund (Boots? most cherished and fulfilling involvement) will be appreciated.?

As Mowelfund?s moving force for many years, Boots has given a lot of herself to the Movie Workers? Welfare Foundation?so now, it?s her friends and colleagues? turn to do the same. Mowelfund is always pressed for funds to finance its many initiatives for movie workers and their families, so we enjoin all of Boots? colleagues and fans to similarly be caring and giving?until it hurts.

Lucky

As we wish Boots the happiest of birthdays, we must confess to be surprised to learn that she?s already 65 years old! We should all be so lucky to look as well as she does in our 60s.

Even better, aside from still being lovely to look at, Boots has made full use of each of her 65 years, notching more accomplishments than most people we know, in and out of the entertainment world.

She?s busy from morning till night?acting, teaching, producing, taking good care of her loved ones, and attending to her duties at Mowelfund and the many other organizations she spearheads or supports.

Accomplishments

Perhaps best of all, Boots accomplishments haven?t gone to her head?at all. She remains genuinely nice and caring, truly a woman for others.

One time, we exclaimed to a dear friend in show business, ?Boots is one of the few people in the biz who?s remained humble despite her being famous and admired.? Our friend looked at us askance and carried the encomium further: ?What do you mean, one of the few? She?s the only one!?

Well, that?s Boots for you: Even when you think you?re heaping fulsome praise on her, it isn?t enough.

What?s up for Boots after her 65th birthday? We hear from a twittering bird that she?s working on a book of reminiscences, personal reflections and lessons learned.

And, if she?s ?allowed? to, she?d like very much to be able to take it ?easier? for a while?to travel more, learn a new skill, art or craft, and spend more time with her loved ones.

Close friends

What about, uh, love? Pete Roa?s loving widow isn?t about to get hitched anytime soon, but it?s no secret to her close friends that some ardent admirers are hoping and praying that she wouldn?t be so, ah, absolutely ?loyal.?

Well, all we can say is, they should have a lot on the ball in terms of character and genuine worth, if they even dare to hope that they can get anywhere with the troth they so ardently seek to pledge.

For our part, we pray that Boots gets even more challenging roles to portray, because we feel that she still has a lot to contribute as a performer.

And, we pledge that, as one of her directors, we?ll be doing what we can to send those career-defining and transformative roles her way.

Dear Boots, the best is yet to come!