Charo Santos-Concio, former President and CEO of ABS-CBN and a revered figure in the Philippine entertainment industry, never hesitates in admitting she is a movie fan at heart. In fact, it's this deep-rooted passion that fueled her remarkable journey in the world of entertainment.
"At my young age, I was listening to a lot of the radio drama serials. I had my favorite Avegon Transistor Radio. Sometimes when we would lose the signal because of the weakness of the frequency, pinapalo ko pa yung Avegon Radio," she laughs at the recollection. "I would listen to Operetang Putol-Putol of Nora Aunor and Tirso Cruz III. I was an avid fan of Guy and Pip. And I would buy the showbiz magazines, collect their photos."
She remembers going to the theater every Saturday when her father, who was a government physician, would do the rounds of the patients in town. "My father would leave us in the theater while he attends to his patients, so we would watch double features of a lot of these movies," she shares during our interview and shoot held at Sine Pop. She would also eagerly read up on the popular stars of her time, including luminaries like Amalia Fuentes, Gloria Romero, Susan Roces, and Nida Blanca.
When television became popular, she would be glued in front of the small screen watching the programs of ABS-CBN, Channel 11, and TV5. "I really idolized the celebrities of ABS-CBN," she says.
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It is for these reasons that Concio developed a deep appreciation and empathy for the fans, which became even more evident when she became a television and movie actress, a producer, and eventually the head and chief content officer of the largest TV network in the Philippines.
"I really enjoy doing production work. I'm fascinated with building something from a simple idea or concept and seeing the finished product on the big screen. There's a fascination with the world of cinema," she says.
Nowadays, Concio continues to engage and charm television viewers with her role as Matilde Asuncion, also known as Lola Tindeng, in FPJ's Batang Quiapo. She is Tanggol's (played by Coco Martin) grandmother, providing him with the emotional support and wisdom he might lack from his parental figures. A pivotal character in the show, she is known for her wisdom, compassion, and strong moral values. Her role is a far cry from the elegant image people see when she hosts the well-loved television drama Maalaala Mo Kaya.
We ask how she prepared for this portrayal. "Lola Tindeng is a tough woman. Tough naman talaga ako. Akala n'yo lang hindi," she laughs. "Tough but refined."
