BOOTS AT HER PRIME By Ailyn E. Agonia, Working Woman, 2003 Today, at 57 Boots Anson Roa lives up to the distinction as one of the most glamorous and well-respected women in the Philippine cinema and television. On Her Acting Career Boots first graced the boob tube at the tender age of 18. The following year, much to the surprise of everybody, she tied the knot with Pete Roa. It could have been fatal for an emerging star like Boots. But then, again, to everybody's surprise, after getting married, her career took a momentous turn. She became one of the most sought-after leading ladies to celebrated actors and starred in a number of critically acclaimed films that gave her a couple of acting recognitions. Boots remembers being at the most active phase of her career while having no juggle home and work at the same time. She smiles now at the thought of having to bring along her kids at tapings to be able to help them with school work, or having to beg for an hour or two off during shootings in order to watch the kids' school play. Nevertheless, not even being eight months on the family way had ever stopped her from reporting to work. Boots considers "Wanted Perfect Mother", a Mars Ravelo creation brought to life on screen by the maestro himself, Lino Brocka, her landmark film. The movie turned out to be a big hit, and launched its star into one of the important actors of the '60s. The Roas then took an eleven-year hiatus from show business, living abroad. And when they returned, she once found herself on the acting trail. She has not been without movie and television offers. To date, she continues to pit talents with top caliber artists and directors, including budding young actors. On Being An Educator It was just last year when Boots seriously considered taking on teaching as a profession. She describes her new found craft as a vehicle by which to share what she has reaped in the years she has been in the entertainment business. As an educator, she deems the importance of visuals. Her classroom extends beyond the confines of the campus. At times she brings along her students to studios for first-hand experience. Boots encourages interaction. "I learn a lot from my students. I engage them in a lot of teamwork and participation. I assign them reading lists, mostly of contemporary writers they can look up and relate to rather than giving them American authors that teach American lifestyle," she reveals. Her teaching pay? She has no idea. Not even her hourly rate. "Working with young people keeps me young anyway," she shrugs. On Her Other Ventures "Boots Talks" its an hour long talk show that tackles the issues of the day. Though the show is an issue-oriented act, she tries to shun from political issues. Other delicate topics, such as homosexuality and forms of abuses, are confronted on a more "human interest" level. She tells having to discipline herself to converse in Filipino so as to connect with a larger market. Her radio program airs every Sunday, 5-6 pm, over DZMM. Apart from her Sunday radio program, being chair of the cinema committee of the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCAA) and chair of the NCAA-DILG working committee on the arts are what take up most of Boots' time. The commission was established by former President Cory Aquino (PCCA then), extended by Ramos, upheld by Estrada, and continued by the Arroyo Administration. Its mandate is to increase the level of awareness on cultural standard, preserve cultural heritage and institute policies that have to do with cultural matters. The chairmanship for the said commission is an elected post. It was her peers in the movie industry who put her into authority. On Her Family "Pete and I don't fight, if by fighting you mean throwing (things) at each other. We're the type of couple who don't raise our voices even if we're on the verge of confrontation," she tells. Last June the couple celebrated their 38th anniversary - which only proves how firm the bond between the two is. "According to our counselor," Boots recounts, "when you're engage in marriage, never ever think of the word separation; more so entertain the thoughts of separation; because it would start from there." As to being mom to four active children, now all grown-up professionals, Boots is a type of parent who believes in teaching by example. Her advice is to treat the kids as friends but make sure that the authority is still there. "I always tell them (the children) that it's not what happens to them that matters. It's how they react to the event. It's not the trial that come their way or the successes they can achieve, but how they deal with these occurrences that would determine the kind of person they are." Sans and glitz and blitz of local entertainment, Boots Anson Roa has proved to be a major player in related fields. According to her, it is her way of paying back an industry that has been very good to the once plain-Jane like her. In retrospect, she deems being a working mom has some difficulty-at most, disadvantage-to it. The time lost that should have been spend attending to her kids' every need is what she regrets in taking on too many hats all at the same time. Even so, Boots is very thankful that all four of her children grew up to be fine professionals. For this she likes to give credit to her loving husband. I want to thank Pete for being there when I was not around. I also would like to commend him for giving me a lot of space (in which) to grow. I am fully developed. I became what I am right now because my husband was very self-effacing and never selfish. My kids are my living proofs of how well he was able to run the household," Boots says as a matter of fact.