Maria Elisa Cristobal Anson-Rodrigo (née Anson; born January 30, 1945), better known as Boots Anson-Roa, is a Filipina actress, columnist, editor, and lecturer.

Early life and education

Anson-Roa, a Bicolana, is the eldest daughter of post-war matinee idol Oscar Moreno, then known as the Robert Taylor of the Philippines, and Belen Cristobal, a descendant of Epifanio de los Santos. She finished her primary and secondary education at the Assumption Convent, Manila. From 1960 to 1964 she studied for an A.B. in Speech and Drama at the University of the Philippines, but did not graduate. From 1983 to 1984 she studied Journalism and Public and Media Relations at Georgetown University, Washington D.C..

Acting career

Anson-Roa began acting in 1968, appearing opposite actors including like Dante Rivero, Joseph Estrada and Fernando Poe Jr. under Sampaguita Pictures and with Ramon Revilla Sr. She was given Lifetime Achievement awards by FAMAS and Star Awards.

Professional activities

She was the director of the U.P.-PGH Medical Foundation from 1979 to 1981, and the Philippine National Red Cross from 1980 to 1982. Anson-Roa unsuccessfully ran for a seat in the Senate of the Philippines in 2004 for the Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP). She was the President of MOWELFUND, Inc. from 2002 to 2020. In 1982, she was appointed as Press Attaché and Cultural Officer as well as Special Assistant to the Ambassador at the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC.

Awards and honours

Filmography

Film

Television

Radio shows

Personal life

In 1964, Boots Anson married Pedro "Pete" Roa who was her co-host in the television show Dance-o-Rama. They had four children. Pete Roa died in 2007. On November 30, 2013, she was engaged to lawyer Francisco "King" Rodrigo Jr., son of Senator Francisco "Soc" Rodrigo. They married on June 14, 2014.