Retro-themed B-day bash for Boots

MANILA, Philippines - It was a trip down memory lane last Saturday when Boots Anson-Roa celebrated her 65th birthday at the Mowelfund Compound in Quezon City. The order was strictly nostalgia, the theme very retro. On the wall were three huge montages of mostly stars of yesteryear, some of whose names have been misspelled — do you know who Mary Anne Marfe is, or Velia Flores, or Helen Bella? Their pictures, and so were those of their colleagues, were so familiar, showing them at their prime.

All around, guests bumped into life-sized cardboard standees of German Moreno, Jaya, Manny Pacquiao and a few others. Another wall was adorned with blown-up ads of movie hits, the most prominent of which is that of Pepeng Kaliwete featuring a very young FPJ.

The music consisted of ‘50s/’60s hits, old familiar love songs, and the well-wishers were a happy mix of the then and now.

Orange was the color of the event, it being originally identified with former Pres. Joseph “Erap” Estrada, Boots’ favorite leading man who is running again for president in the May elections. Even the tablecloths were glaringly orange!

It was a big relief to see Fr. Sonny Ramirez up and about, officiating the Mass in his usual colorful style.

While the guests were partaking of the sumptuous dinner, La Diva entertained them with love songs during the program hosted by Boots’ brother Alvin Anson.

Afterwards, as to be expected in such a “retro” affair, there was ballroom dancing, complete with Dancing Instructors.

In lieu of gifts, the Birthday Girl requested the well-wishers to donate to the sagging fund of Mowelfund Foundation of which Boots is the head.

Don’t you wish the Mowelfund would last for 65 years as Boots has, or even longer as Boots will? — Ricky Lo