Charo Santos Concio Turns 60 On October 27 And Will Retire As ABS-CBN President And CEO

CHARO SANTOS Concio is turning 60 on October 27 and this signals the end of her term as ABS-CBN big boss. When we asked her why she has to leave, she says this is the retirement age for a Kapamilya president and CEO, so she has no choice. But she will still be around as a consultant and as host of the long running drama show, "Maalaala Mo Kaya", which has been on the air for 24 years now. A big tribute was earlier given to her at the Star Magic Ball where her book, "Charo and I", was launched.

She has really come a long way from being Baron Travel Girl and Miss Green Race of 1976 after graduating with honors from St Paul's College with a comm arts degree. Born Maria Rosario Santos, she's the second of five daughters and one son of a doctor from Calapan, Oriental Mindoro. Star Cinema producer Malou Santos comes after her. We were one of the first writers who interviewed her then and she remembers this up to now.

1976 was also the year that Director Mike de Leon introduced her as the leading lady in the horror movie "Itim", where she won as Asia's best actress. She then made more movies, becoming one of the favorite leading ladies of the late Fernando Poe, Jr. Other important films she did are "Gumapang Ka sa Lusak", where she was Imeldific personified as directed by Lino Brocka, "Kontrobersyal" (also by Brocka), and two more highly acclaimed Mike de Leon films, "Kisapmata" and "Kakabakaba Ka Ba?", and Maryo de los Reyes' "Hindi Mo Ako Kayang Tapakan".

From being an actress, she started working behind the camera, first as a production assistant on TV then as a producer for Vanguard and Vision Films, also for Mother Lily's Regal Films. Some of the good films she produced are "Pag-ibig na Walang Dangal", "Hindi Mahahati ang Langit" and "Kapag Langit ang Humatol", also "Himala" for the Experimental Cinema of the Philippines. On ABS-CBN, she started the production of hit teleseryes like "Esperanza", "Mula sa Puso" and the original "Pangako Sa Iyo". One of her latest achievements is being the chair of the coming 43rd International Emmy Awards to be held on November 23 in New York.

Charo is married to Arch. Cesar Concio and they have two sons, Francis and Martin. She has two granddaughters, Talia and Julia, children of Francis and his wife Carla. We heard they'll start their own careers as child stars in the Metro Filmfest entry of Vice Ganda and Coco Martin.
To Charo, our best wishes on your being an official senior citizen. We are sure more windows of better opportunities will be opening for you soon!