‘Grateful’ Boots Anson-Rodrigo writes her autobiography at 80

Veteran actress Boots Anson-Rodrigo just turned 80, and she’s celebrating the milestone by giving back.

“It’s all about gratitude,” she said in a recent interview with Lifestyle. “At this age, every morning when King and I wake up, we just say thank you that we’re still alive.”

She has been married to international lawyer King Rodrigo since 2013. “Yes, we kiss when we wake up. We also give each other back rubs,” she added with a laugh.

Her three-part celebration—a family reunion, a fundraising concert, and the launch of her long-awaited autobiography—wasn’t just a party. It was a mission to support the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (Mowelfund), which has long provided assistance to industry workers in need.

Anson-Rodrigo’s upcoming book, fittingly titled “Grateful,” is something she has wanted to write for over a decade. The idea was first suggested by her cousin Victor, the father of singer Gary Valenciano. He even gathered some of her photos and laid out pages for her. Sadly, he died before the project could be completed.

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“On his deathbed, I promised him I’d do it—or else he’d start haunting me!” she recalled, laughing.

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The book, set for release in March, will highlight key moments in her life: her 11-year stay in Washington, D.C., her years as a professor at Ateneo and the University of the Philippines (10 years) and De La Salle (two years), and of course, her career in show biz.

There is also a chapter about how her decision to pursue acting was deeply influenced by her father, the late Oscar Moreno, a matinee idol in the ’50s and ’60s. “As they say, it’s in the blood,” she declared.

Anson-Rodrigo’s good friend Jenny Illustre will co-write the book, she said. It will also touch on her 2004 senatorial bid. “I learned a lot from that experience. But as they say, no matter how hard you plan, if God says it won’t happen, then it won’t happen,” she pointed out.

Low maintenance regimen

At 80, Anson-Rodrigo remains beautiful and youthful, though she insisted she has never been obsessed with beauty rituals. “I’m so lazy! I just wash my face with water, no soap,” she confessed. “But when I have to put on makeup, I use a cleanser and astringent.”

She credits her youthful glow to good genes and a sense of humor. “I never had pimples growing up—just like my mom. These days, I have wrinkles, but I call them my laugh lines. As for my eye bags—okay lang ang bags, basta Gucci or Louis Vuitton!”

When it comes to diet, she admitted to being a delinquent. “I’m my doctor’s nightmare. I don’t follow any diet! I’m just lucky I don’t have maintenance meds, except for a small dose for cholesterol,” she added.

Rodrigo’s birthday festivities began with a family reunion on Jan. 30. “I’m now the family matriarch of the Ansons. I’m the oldest!” she said, embracing the role with pride. Her loved ones, including her children and grandchildren flying in from Virginia, were all there. Instead of gifts, she asked guests to donate to Mowelfund.

The second event, a concert titled “Groovin’ Boots” on Jan. 31, featured OPM legends Ding Mercado, Ray-An Fuentes, Leah Navarro, Pat Castillo, Mitch Valdez, and Nanette Inventor. “We’re getting a lot of cooperation from industry people,” she said, grateful for the support.

Finally, there’s the book. Anson-Rodrigo admitted she announced it publicly on purpose. “I thought, if I announce it, I’ll feel pressured to really do it,” she explained.

At 80, what does she still pray for? “I pray just to express my gratefulness,” she said. “There’s so much to be thankful for. My life has not been a bed of roses—of course, I have problems—but when God gives me some, He also makes sure I’m capable of handling them.”

She added: “I have nothing more to ask, except that whatever blessings come my way, I deserve them and share them with others through service.”

And when the time comes, she already knows what she wants written on her epitaph: “Serviam,” she declared. “Which means, ‘I served.’” INQ