Ma. Elisa Cristobal Anson was born on January 30, 1945. She was the eldest daughter of the late matinee idol Oscar Moreno, which was fondly called Robert Taylor of the Philippine cinema, and Belen Cristobal, who was a descendant of Epifanio delos Santos. She had a younger brother, Alvin Anson who is also an actor and a model as well. Boots Anson- Roa in the showbiz industry, she is a popular actress and performer of her time.
She attended Assumption convent in Herran St., Manila for her elementary and secondary education, and graduated a degree in Mass Communication at the University of the Philippines. She then furthered her studies on A.B. Speech and Drama at the University of the Philippines in 1960-64, Basic Journalism at Georgetown University, Washington D.C. in 1983, Public and Media Relations at Georgetown University, Washington DC in 1984, and Television Production at the Media General Cable Network, at Virginia in 1993.
Eventually she met and married Pete Roa, who is a co-host in a TV show “Dance-O-Rama” from 1964 until 2007 when he later died of colon cancer. They had four children namely Leah, Joey, Chiqui and Ben, and have nine grandchildren. Her professional membership in various organizations proved how Boots are respected and regarded as an individual. She is a member of the Board of the Balikatan sa Kaunlaran, Vice Chairman for Television, Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas- Metro Manila Chapter, Chairman: friends of the Philippine High School for the Arts- CCP, Director: U.P. Arts and Letters Alumni Foundation, Vice-Chairman: National Commission for Culture and the Arts – Film Committee, and a Board Trustee for MOWELFUND. She was also a former Chairperson of International Broadcasting Corp. (Channel 13).
In 1968, she started her acting career and appeared opposite legendary names Dante Rivero, Joseph Estrada, Fernando Poe, Jr. and Ramon Revilla Sr. under Sampaguita Productions. She had numerous films in her name and countless awards and nominations as an actress. Boots is still active in her acting career even though she is busy attending to various jobs in different organizations. In 1972, she shared the FAMAS Best Actress with Vilma Santos, which was considered the first tie in the history of Philippine Movies. Boots said she is inspired by fellow actress Lolita Rodriguez.
In 2010, Readers Digest conducted a nationwide survey on the Most Trusted Filipinos and she got the 14th place. Presently, she is the executive director of Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (Mowelfund) which was originally founded by Joseph Estrada to assist the workers in the movie industry through hospitalization, livelihood, alternative income opportunities and also housing privileges. Boots takes Rosa Rosal, a Philippine Red Cross advocate, as her inspiration in her service at the Mowelfund.
She laughingly stated that sometimes she feels she has a peso sign on her face, in her effort to raise funds for Mowelfund. Yet, she has not stopped and giving up on her intentions to be of service to her colleagues in the showbiz industry. Boots Anson-Roa has been an exceptional example to the people in Philippine entertainment.
