MANILA, Philippines--Recently, the family and friends of Boots Anson-Roa celebrated her 65th birthday with a bang. She has touched a lot of people, and having travelled with her to Europe, we also were witness to her innate goodness and generosity.

Tita Boots invited me to her home to talk about her work over breakfast as Mowelfund?s executive director, a position she has held for eight years. She beams, ?The quickest way to raise funds for the foundation was to celebrate my 65th birthday as a fundraising activity. It was also a good excuse to ask my two kids to come home?especially my eldest, Leah, who hasn?t been home in 27 years.?

Mowelfund?s mandate is to give movie workers medical and death benefits, livelihood, housing, and film education. Among its current beneficiaries are Paquito Diaz, Celso Ad. Castillo, Jing Abalos, Metring David and Janice Jurado. ?It?s heartbreaking to see former directors, costars and other coworkers looking emaciated, because they didn?t plan for their future,? shares the acclaimed actress.

She says that the foundation isn?t something that can be easily managed by a regular corporation. She explains, ?The humanitarian angle of serving entails personal sacrifice. For me, it has become more than just an advocacy. It?s my way of giving back to the industry, because it has truly been good to me.?

Fulfillment

At her age, Tita Boots has a lot of film, radio and TV projects. She muses, ?I feel so blessed. I spend so much energy on my work, and the fulfillment I get is priceless.?

She attributes part of her inspiration from Red Cross advocate, Rosa Rosal: ?I told her (Rosal) I sometimes feel like I have a peso sign on my face in my effort to raise funds. But, she told me, ?Don?t be ashamed?it?s for a good cause. Look at me, some people think I?m Dracula, always pleading for blood and money!? She gives me a lot of encouragement.?

Tita Boots hopes to slow down this year. She shares, ?I now have my senior moments. There was a time I forgot where I put my keys, then found them inside the refrigerator! When I was in the States, I bought two carts full of grocery bags. As I drove home, I realized I left them at the parking lot!

?I also hope to travel and visit my children more often. I would also like to take short courses on theology, which has always been a dream. And, I?d like to continue teaching. It?s my way of paying it forward. When I see my students doing good on TV, it brings me fulfillment?and makes me young-looking!? But, the best is yet to come for the well-loved actress. Recently, in a nationwide survey conducted by Reader?s Digest Asia about the 80 Most Trusted Filipinos, she came out in 14th place.

Are there acting roles she still wants to portray? She replies, ?I?m looking for out-of-the-box characters. I don?t have the intensity of some actresses I admire, like Lolita Rodriguez. Maybe I don?t have enough hurts and pains, because I?ve learned to rise above them. You can turn everything through prayers?kaya siguro wala akong masyadong angst. When something painful happens, I simply lift it up to God.

?When Pete died, people were telling me, ?Ilabas mo lahat, ihagulgol mo.? Pero, hindi naman kailangang ilabas lahat. I weep on my pillow, very quietly. I put up a little altar of Pete?s memorabilia in my room?the cross he clutched, his rosary, his Padre Pio bracelet, and the butterfly that refused to leave his coffin. Pete has become my intercessor and lobbyist in heaven.?