HINDI ikinakaila ng award-winning actress and host of the top-rating and longest-running drama anthology in the Philippines and Asia (and maybe in the world), former TV and movie production executive, the 5th president and CEO (and the only woman ) ng ABS-CBN at naging Miss Baron Travel Girl (1976) na si Charo Santos-Concio na mas may oras siya sa kanyang pamilya at pagiging actress ngayong retired na siya sa kanyang executive post sa ABS-CBN.

Hinding-hindi makakalimutan ni Charo ang kanyang naging experience guesting sa top-rating and longest-running action-drama series na “FPJ’s ang Probinsiyano” na pinagbibidahan ni Coco Martin who also serve as the creative head and co-director of the series.

Never in her past movies ang TV appearances na humawak siya ng baril and do action scenes na unang beses lamang niya ginawa sa “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” and being directed by the popular actor-director na si Coco.

“I love doing those action scenes with Coco,” natatawa niyang pahayag.

Charo was a fresh graduate from college when she won “Miss Baron Travel Girl” in 1976 at dito siya napanood ng yumaong award-winning filmmaker na si Lino Brocka who convinced her to try the movies.

Nagpaalam siya sa kanyang parents, his father, the late Dr. Winifredo Santos was not in favor of her joining showbiz pero ito’y nakumbinsi ng ina ni Charon na si Gng. Nora Navarro-Santos at siya’y pinayagang gumawa ng isa lang pelikula.

The actress-host and movie producer debuted in the award-winning film “Itim” na dinirek ni Mike de Leon in 1976 which give her first first Asian acting award mula sa Asian Film Festival. The movie was also awarded the Best Film of the Decade (1970-1979) ng Gawad Urian. She was also nominated for Best Actress in different award giving bodies in the Philippines. Ang nasabing pelikula ay pinagtambalan nila ni Tommy Abuel.

Ang akala ni Charo ay isang pelikula lamang ang kanyang magagawa dahil ito ang kagustuhan ng kanyang ama as he wanted her to do a regular job at gamitin ang kursong kanyang tinapos.

Si Charo ay nagtapos ng Communication Arts – cum laude sa St. Paul’s College – Manila. She also took a nursing course na hindi na niya tinapos.

When her father died, napilitan si Charo na ipagpatuloy ang kanyang acting career to help her family. Siya’y pangalawa sa anim na magkakapatid, five girls and one boy.

Taong 1981 nang kanyang gawin ang pelikulang “Kisapmata” na dinirek din ni Mike de Leon. Isa itong psychological horror film na tinampukan din nina Jay Ilagan, Charito Solis, Vic Silayan at Juan Rodrigo among others at naging kalahok sa Metro Manila Film Festival in 1981. Ang nasabing pelikula ay nakapag-uwi ng siyam ng tropeo mula sa Gabi ng Parangal ng MMFF – Best Picture, Best Director (Mike de Leon), Best Actor (Vic Silayan), Best Supporting Actress (Charito Solis), Best Screenplay, Best Story, Best Editing, Best Production Design and Best Sound Engineering.

Magmula noon ay naging aktibo na si Charo sa kanyang acting career.

While doing movies, pinag-aaralan ni Charo ang operations ng pagpu-produce ng pelikula na kanyang sinimulan sa Bancom Audio Vision, Vanguard Films and Vision Films.

Kinuha rin siya ng Regal matriarch na si Mother Lily Monteverde ng Regal Entertainment bilang creative head. Siya bale ang naghahanap at nagbabasa ng mga materials which she would recommend na gawing film project ng Regal.

Tumagal siya sa Regal Entertainment sa loob ng dalawang taon. She was still at Regal when she was invited by ABS-CBN management to head the company’s production group at siya’y ginawang production manager ng Kapamilya network and eventually ay nabuo ang Star Cinema, ang film arm ng ABS-CBN kasama rin siya sa brainstorming para sa mga hit TV series ng ABS-CBN.

When Charo got promoted as the 5th president and CEO ang ABS-CBN, she hired her younger sister, Malou Santos to head Star Cinema, the position she held up to the time of her retirement.

Star Cinema churned out quality and hit movies one after the other. When Malou retired, ABS-CBN writer-director Olivia Lamasan took over her place as managing director.

A well-loved boss at ABS-CBN, Charo started her weekly drama anthology, “Maalaala Mo Kaya” as host. The program premiered on May 15, 1991. It features real life stories of common people and even known celebrities and personalities. Last May, the top-rating , longest-running drama anthology and award-winning program celebrated its 31st anniversary with a month-long special episodes of MMK.

Ayon kay Charo, there are sacks of mails na kanilang natatanggap mula sa iba’t ibang ordinaryong mamamayan na naglalahad ng kanilang mga personal na kuwento at karanasan. She has several staff reading those letters and would recommend the letter sender be featured in the show at kasunod na rito ang research and interviews of the people concerned.

Ayon na rin mismo kay Charo, bawat episode being featured on MMK are very inspiring at nagbibigay ng aral at hope sa mga manonood.

“Napi-feel ko ang bawat episode na ipinapalabas sa MMK,” pag-amin pa niya.

Although she has retired from her executive post at ABS-CBN, nagpapatuloy ang kanyang pagiging host ng “Maalaala Mo Kaya” at mas naging aktibo siya ngayon bilang actress.

Her lost time with her family when she was working ay bumabawi siya ngayon. She has more time now with her family – her husband (businessman Cesar Concio, Jr.), her two sons Francis and Martin with their respective families laluna sa kanyang apat na apo – two girls and two boys na siya umano niyang energy booster.

Inamin din ni Charo na nagkaroon umano siya ng anxiety when she finally retired from her executive post at ABS-CBN dahil sanay siya sa kanyang daily routine at maraming ginagawa but eventually got over it when she devoted her time sa kanyang family at siya’y magbalik pelikula.

Since producing movies is also a passion, hindi malayong balikan din ito ni Charo in the future.

Inamin din sa amin ng actress-host na naranasan umano niyang maglakad, mag-commute nung siya’y nag-aaral pa kaya naiintindihan niya ang mga nararanasan ngayon ng mga estudyante ng bansa na nahihirapang sumakay sa mga pampublikong sasakyan.

“At that time, wala pang MRT at LRT,” aniya.

“Sumasakay ako ng tricyle, jeepney at bus,” pagbabalik-tanaw pa niya.

Charo’s successful life story is truly emulating and inspirating.

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Aster Amoyo