Remembering Tita Nene

Actress Boots Anson-Roa remembers Azucena “Nene” Vera-Perez, matriarch of Sampaguita Pictures, who passed on last Tuesday at age 96: “Tita Nene’s and my dad’s (Sampaguita actor Oscar Moreno) families were neighbors in Camalig, Albay. Tita Nene graduated magna cum laude. She imparted her refinement to all her children, especially to Manay Ichu. She was loving. I learned the word payaba (Bicolano for loved one) from her. That was how she called me as a little girl.” Vera-Perez’s funeral was held Sunday at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque. Bayani San Diego Jr.