“A Love That Transcends Death”: Boots Anson-Roa’s Heartbreaking Revelation on Ronaldo Valdez’s Passing

In a rare and deeply moving moment, veteran actress Boots Anson-Roa has broken her silence on the painful loss of her dear friend and fellow screen icon, Ronaldo Valdez. Her revelation didn’t just offer closure—it opened old wounds and shed light on a powerful, decades-long friendship that endured triumphs, regrets, and ultimately, the silence of death.

An Unexpected Goodbye

When news of Ronaldo Valdez’s passing broke, the entertainment industry was shaken. Tributes poured in, but it was Boots Anson-Roa’s emotional revelation that truly captured the magnitude of the loss.

“He was more than a colleague… he was family in this industry,” she shared with trembling voice during an exclusive interview.

Though both had lived full, separate lives, their bond was undeniable—fueled by years of working together in some of the country’s most memorable films and TV dramas.

A Bond Beyond the Screen

Boots revealed that their connection went beyond acting. Ronaldo was one of the few people who stood by her during the darkest days of her personal life—including the passing of her late husband. She tearfully recalled how Ronaldo would call just to check if she had eaten, or to remind her to stay strong.

“He was a quiet guardian… someone who knew how to care without being loud about it,” she said.

The Last Conversation

But it was her revelation about their last conversation that left many in tears.

“He said, ‘I’m tired, Boots. But I’m happy.’ I didn’t know that would be the last time I’d hear his voice.”

There was no long goodbye. No fanfare. Just the quiet resignation of a man who had given everything to his craft, to his family, and to those who truly knew him.

Unspoken Regrets

Boots also admitted to carrying a quiet regret—that she hadn’t spent more time with him in recent months due to their hectic schedules. “We always said, ‘next time,’ but next time never came,” she whispered, eyes welling with tears.

A Final Tribute

In her message to fans and friends of Ronaldo Valdez, Boots asked for prayers—not just for the repose of his soul, but for the healing of those he left behind, including his family and fellow actors who considered him a mentor.

“He gave so much of himself. It’s our turn now to carry his light forward.”

An Icon, A Friend, A Gentle Soul

As the industry continues to mourn the loss of a legend, Boots Anson-Roa’s heartfelt tribute reminds us all of the quiet power of kindness, loyalty, and the kind of friendship that no camera could ever fully capture.

Ronaldo Valdez may have exited the stage, but in the words of Boots herself:

“In every great role, in every tear on screen, in every act of quiet love—he lives on.”

Boots Anson Roa-Rodrigo noticed this about Ronaldo Valdez while shooting his last film
Veteran actor Ronaldo Valdez worked with countless actresses in the Philippine entertainment industry including Boots Anson Roa-Rodrigo, with whom he had been sharing the screen since the ’70s in movies like “Pag-ibig Ko’y ‘Wag Mong Sukatin” in 1975.

‘Even then, Ron was really sentimental, very emotional, impassioned and fun-loving, mischievous. You know Ronaldo, ‘pag hindi po kilala, akala mo seryoso eh. One thing about his face is it’s not readily a smiling face, until he opens up his heart to you,” she told ABS-CBN News on Thursday.

Even then, Roa-Rodrigo already saw Valdez’s versatility in acting. ‘From the very beginning, he was very versatile in comedy, in action, in drama, even the gay roles he portrayed, they were really hilarious.’

Fast forward to 1993, the veteran actress did the Aga Muhlach movie “May Minamahal,” portraying the future mother-in-law of Melendez, who played Valdez’s daughter in the film. Roa-Rodrigo recalled how Valdez made everyone laugh during a take. “There came a scene where we were talking about Aga and Aiko’s wedding. Of course, my family was with me, my family was with me,” she recalled.

“One element of that was the venue for the wedding, and Folk Arts (Theater) was there. When we were rehearsing, the word ‘Folk Arts’ came up; when we were taking it, suddenly Ronaldo said, ‘We’re going to Folks Art.’ When Director Joey Reyes shouted ‘Cut!’ we all laughed.’

Another unforgettable story that she recounted, ‘I was supposed to be crying, Ronaldo turned his back on the camera while I was crying, (he was making faces) but he was still so funny when he was making faces.’

Years went by and they would still do projects up until early this year when they did “Ikaw at Ako” under VIVA Films. Roa-Rodrigo noticed a big physical change on Valdez.

‘I noticed how much his body had weakened. He was very sprightly, he was still driving, he was exercising, right? But it seems like his body is weak, he has to be led, he has a cane, he just doesn’t have a walker but he’s not very slow moving,” she said. “This shooting, we’re just rehearsing, he’s already crying. There must’ve been something deep inside him that’s very different.

“His speech slowed down, he seemed to be thinking carefully when he spoke — all these very notable differences from two years ago.”

Still, the news about his death was a big shock for Roa-Rodrigo. The following day, she immediately went to the wake and caught up with Valdez’s daughter Melissa Gibbs.

“Melissa probably didn’t know that her last picture, ‘Ikaw and Me’, was out. I had the trailer on my cellphone. I showed Melissa the trailer, she watched it, I left the trailer with them,” she said.

Throughout his career, Valdez’s most notable role was being that burst of sunshine to everyone at work and outside work.

“Isn’t there a book titled ‘Laughter is the Best Medicine’? If Ron was sick on set, he would be cured because of his laughter.”