Maalaala Mo Kaya having been a consistent top-rater in the past 18 years is one of the milestones that Charo Santos values in her career. Charo, host and producer of MMK, can still remember the time when the concept of this drama anthology was born in a spur of a moment. She tells Working Mom magazine that in 1987, when she was beginning to venture into the corporate world, then ABS-CBN President Freddie Garcia called her into his office and asked her to come up with a concept for a new show. A paper clip lying on the table saved her. “This is small. This is ordinary. But to someone, it means something. This is ordinary. But to someone, it means something. It can mean his own life. Why?” she told Mr. Garcia.
While establishing herself as one of the top executives of the Kapamilya network, Charo never neglected nurturing MMK into the acclaimed program that we now know. She revealed that together with the production team she meticulously examines each story worth to tackle in the show. “I tell my creative team to go beyond the surface (of the story) and find the motivation behind the behavior. Saan niya hinuhugot ‘yan? What are his fears, motivations, aspiration? Kailangan nayayakap ko ‘yung character, at kung hindi – ahh, cardboard ‘yan.”
In March 2008, Charo welcomed with open arms the most prestigious yet most challenging opportunity ever, being the President of ABS-CBN. “It came just like any other opportunities, and I just happened to be ready. I just followed my heart.” Although not new to the world of meetings, decision-making, pressure, among others, Charo believes she can only do her best in every moment she encounters. “We are all just passing through every moment, that is why it’s important to make every moment matter.” The very first lady president of the giant network was never ashamed to admit that there have been unwise actions in the past, but these too made her stronger and smarter. “Success makes you feel good, but failure is the best teacher. Only when we face it head-on can we harvest its lessons, and be guided by its hope.”
Behind the camera and outside the office, Charo is a much fulfilled family woman. Her husband is retired businessman Cesar Concio Jr., and they have two sons, Francis who’s 26, and Martin, 24. Charo said that her husband never had an issue about staying at home most of the time while she heads a company with 2,434 employees and 10 subsidiaries. “It’s important for a working mom to choose a supportive partner. If he respects you, then he should respect your dreams,” she tells Working Mom.
Like the stories presented on MMK, Charo knows the value of experience as the best teacher. This is what she had instilled in her sons ever since they were young boys. “We can’t, and shouldn’t, protect our kids from pain and failure. They will make their own mistakes, but we can raise them to learn from them, and be strengthened by them.”
Related Links and Articles
