We were supposed to go out of town last week, but we moved our schedule around when we got an invitation to attend the big bash that ABS-CBN was throwing for Charo Santos-Concio on Oct. 20 to mark her 60th year—a not-to-be-missed celebration in our book.
We hold Charo in high regard because she’s used her top positions at ABS-CBN and Star Cinema to promote positive values. In addition, she rose from the ranks, so the training that she’s given to the many TV-film workers she’s trained has been hands-on, which explains why their productions have held to the rigorous standards she’s set—for herself.
When we got to the ballroom of the Edsa Shangri-La hotel, we were swept into a crystal-themed wonder world fit for the real Queen of All Media that Charo is.
Early birds like Coney Reyes, Eddie Garcia and Ariel Ureta joined us in toasting the celebrant, who was instantly surrounded by excited and “empathetically happy” well-wishers before dinner was served and the evening’s special program began.
It turned out that the well-conceptualized show was the evening’s high point, not just because it fielded the ABS-CBN’s Symphony Orchestra and showcased exuberant musical performances by the topnotch likes of Dulce and ZsaZsa Padilla, but also because it frequently took a warmly and feelingly personal turn, as Charo’s coworkers of many years shared anecdotes and insights that illustrated the personal and professional attributes that made her unique.
Surprise song number
Most personally felt of all was the “surprise” song number that Charo’s granddaughters, Julia and Talia, performed with great gusto—to their chocha granny’s absolute and glowing delight.
They weren’t professional singers by any means, but they were in tune and “in touch,” so they ended up inadvertently upstaging the big singing stars who had performed before them.
Charo’s 60th birthday bash was a truly special celebration because it chose to take this feelingly personal tack, in complete keeping with how Charo herself lives her life and does her work.
It is this “hands-on and heart-in” commitment that has made her career unique and kept it vital and influential for decades—so even if she’s officially become a senior citizen, we don’t see her slowing down!