Elizabeth Oropesa (born July 17, 1954), also known as La Oropesa, or "Boots" to friends is a Filipino actress. She was a Grand Slam Best Actress winner for Bulaklak Ng Maynila (1999). She was crowned as Miss Luzon of the Miss Republic of the Philippines (RP) 1972. She was one of the Miss White Castle models in the mid-70s. One of her notable roles is Sandra Salgado, the evil stepmother and the main villain in the television drama Esperanza. Aside from her work in the entertainment industry, Oropesa is currently working as a healer.
Oropesa is a Marcos loyalist, having participated in two coup attempts against the Aquino administration in 1986 and 1987.
Oropesa grew up in Guinobatan, Albay.
In 1974, Oropesa starred in Celso Ad. Castillo's Ang Pinakamagandang Hayop sa Balat ng Lupa (; 1974), in which she is as a supporting actress to former Miss Universe Gloria Diaz, who was then being launched to stardom. She portrayed the role of Saling, the barrio lass who is madly in love with Simon (Vic Vargas) and loathes the presence of Isabel (Gloria Diaz) on the barrio-island. She and Diaz made a big splash by introducing the "wet look" in Philippine cinema.
Oropesa was launched to stardom in Mister Mo, Lover Boy Ko (1975), produced by Jesse Ejercito and directed by Ishmael Bernal. She won the FAMAS Best Actress award for Lumapit, Lumayo ang Umaga (1975), also directed by Bernal. Again, Bernal directed Oropesa in Nunal sa Tubig (1976), considered one of the best films of the 1970s. Oropesa is one of director Ishmael Bernal's favorite actresses to work with.
Other notable movies she made are Alupihan Dagat (1975) and Aguila (1980) with Fernando Poe Jr.; Si Rafael at Raquel (1976) and Hide and Seek sa Manila, Makati (1977) with Christopher de Leon; Mother and Daughter (1975) with Paraluman and Vic Vargas; Katawang Lupa (1975) with Eddie Gutierrez; Uhaw Na Dagat (1981) with Gloria Diaz and Isabel Rivas; Iking Boxer (1975) with Chiquito; Nueva Vizcaya (1974) with Vic Vargas; Si Malakas, si Maganda at si Mahinhin (1981) with Alma Moreno and Dindo Fernando; and Palabra de Honor (1983) with Eddie Garcia.
After a brief stay in the United States, Oropesa returned to the Philippines in 1985 and attempted to continue her local entertainment career. By then she had already starred in more than 100 films. However, Oropesa would proceed to take a seven-year hiatus from the local film industry after 1986 amidst her participation in coup attempts against the Aquino administration, with her moving to Taipei, Taiwan to focus on being a housewife to actor Meng Fei.
In 1993, Oropesa ended her hiatus when she signed a contract with ABS-CBN to star in a television anthology series.
She received Best Supporting Actress awards for Milagros (1997) and Sa Pusod ng Dagat (1998), both directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya, and a Best Actress grand slam, five best actress awards for Bulaklak ng Maynila (1999), directed by Joel Lamangan.
She did Mister Mo, Lover Ko (1999) a comedy film again directed by Joel Lamangan, starring Glydel Mercado, Eddie Gutierrez, Gary Estrada and Danny Ramos. In 2003, she made the film Homecoming, an entry in the Metro Manila Film Festival, directed by Gil Portes, with Alessandra de Rossi, playing a mother and daughter caught in a heart-wrenching homecoming. In 2004, Elizabeth played a villain named Belinda Manalo in Te Amo, Maging Sino Ka Man, the character was bitter and hot-headed.
She played the mother of Jennica Garcia and stepmother of Jolina Magdangal in Adik Sa'Yo (2009) with Marvin Agustin, Dennis Trillo and Joey Marquez, directed by Joel Lamangan. She starred in a digital film Ded Na si Lolo (international title: Grandpa Is Dead, 2009), about a family staying together and getting stronger amid personal differences and hardships, starring Roderick Paulate, Gina Alajar and Manilyn Reynes. Oropesa made a comeback as a grandmother in the TV drama, ' which aired from 2011 to 2012 on ABS-CBN. In 2017, she played a role in Impostora in which the character plays is calm and supportive of the main protagonist. In 2018, she was tapped to play the funny arrogant and brainless mother of Amber. Named Violet "Violy" Bolocboc, she is one of the anti-heroines of Pamilya Roces. She and her daughter scheme to become rich, but overall they are anti-heroes.
She has appeared in more than 150 films and television shows since 1973.
Oropesa is a Marcos loyalist. In early 1986, Oropesa campaigned for the reelection of president Ferdinand Marcos in the 1986 snap election.
In the aftermath of the People Power Revolution that overthrew the Marcos regime in February 1986, Oropesa was among the active pro-Marcos personalities who took part in coup attempts against the Corazon Aquino administration. Oropesa participated in both the July 1986 siege of the Manila Hotel and the January 1987 takeover of the GMA television station alongside actresses Alona Alegre and Annie Ferrer.
In 1987, Oropesa was charged with rebellion by the Northern Police District for her participation in the January 27 takeover of GMA Network.
Oropesa was married three times, including to actors Dante Rivero and Meng Fei, and had several children from various relationships.