Family welfare, Boots’ advocacy

From the pigeonhole, this letter from one of our respected, loved and admired actresses, Boots Anson-Roa:

"Public service in its loftiest form has beckoned. I have heeded its call and now aspire to serve beyond my established profession. On Jan. 15, 2004, I filed my candidacy for Senator under the Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP).

"As I have done in the past, whether amidst or away from the blare of radio and the grinding cameras of television and film, I am committed to continue to uphold the welfare and the dignity of the Filipino family both by example and legislation.

"I am a political greenhorn; nevertheless, a quiet and experienced public servant, in and out of government. I am confident that with you as my conduit to the public in general, and the electorate in particular, the Senate halls will be my next destination.

"I also am an artista, homegrown in an industry that provided for my father, Oscar Moreno, and his family, and that of my own.

"I am grateful to show business. It has engaged me in a decent, impactful and popular profession. It has evoked in me sufficient sensitivity to and appreciation of stark social realities that now warrant reforms.

"I am blessed to have traversed show business onto further education, training and service.

"With your support, I shall use these in a wider, more challenge-laden arena where I can formalize and strengthen – my advocacy for the family.

"Una sa lahat, pamilya!"

In appreciation,Boots Anson-Roa

FPJ’s Request

Heard that KNP standard bearer Fernando Poe Jr. personally talked to Boots and her husband, Pete Roa, requesting the couple for their support. How could Boots say no to her leading man and "compadre"? FPJ is the baptismal godfather of Pete and Boots’ son Benjo. Pete, who’s temporarily wheelchair-bound after a bad fall, is very excited and enthusiastic about his wife’s senatorial candidacy. Nabuhayan ng loob, prompting Boots to say, "For that alone, I’m already a winner."

Boots and former Agriculture Secretary Salvador Escudero of Bicol completed the senatorial slate of FPJ and his running mate, Loren Legarda. She replaced Ilocos Norte Rep. Imee Marcos who opted to run for reelection.

FPJ and Boots co-starred in Santiago (directed by Lino Brocka), Sto. Domingo, Ang Kampana ng Sta. Quiteria, Ang Aguila at Ang Araw (with Joseph Estrada).

By the way, Boots also teamed up with Erap in a number of films, including Tatay Na si Erap, which gave her a FAMAS Best Actress award.

She also co-starred with Pilar Pilapil in Imelda: Ang Uliran, where she was favored to win the Manila Film Festival Best Actress award. Pilar won and Boots gamely received the trophy in behalf of Pilar who was not around. Pilar is also running for senator, an independent candidate.

Other Showbiz Senatoriables

Other senatoriables from the entertainment industry include Bong Revilla, Lito Lapid and Sonny Jaworski (sports is also entertainment) of the administration party; Jinggoy Estrada of KNP; and Jay Sonza of the so-called "third force" of Raul Roco.

The likes of Dodot Jaworski (Pasig), Imelda Papin (Camarines Sur), Rey Lapid (Pampanga, elder brother of Lito, running against Mikey Arroyo), Mike Planas (Quezon City) are seeking seats in Congress.

Prominent Bedans

Raul Roco is not the only San Beda alumnus (AB, Law) running for president. FPJ is also a Bedan (grade school), a classmate of Eddie Gutierrez. Both Raul and FPJ were named "Bedans of the century" a few years back.

Hanging on the wall of the alumni office of San Beda are the posters of Poe and Roco.

Needless to say, fellow Bedan Eddie Gutierrez is supporting FPJ. Ditto such showbiz giants as Dolphy, Rudy and Lorna Fernandez, Armida Siguion Reyna, Richard Gomez, Marichu Maceda, Eddie Garcia (incidentally another Bedan).