Charo Santos: It’s not over until the battle is won

“I’m sorry if I showed you tough love, and sometimes, painful love. I really just wanted the best from each one of you,” said ABS-CBN president and CEO Charo Santos-Concio, who recently celebrated her 60th birth anniversary.

Concio was addressing Kapamilya employees, “especially the people in production,” who were present at the party hosted for her by the network, led by its chair Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III. The birthday treat was held at the Isla Ballroom of the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City, with an estimated 300 guests in attendance.

“I hope you understand me now,” she added. “I wish for all of you strength of character, stronger values and excellent leadership. As I always say to Cory (Vidanes, head of free TV), I thank you for giving your best every time, but it is not over until the battle is won.”

Meaning

Concio then challenged “everyone in the room to make sure not to forget the meaning behind all your hard work.”

Halfway through the party, Lopez proposed a toast for Concio and said, “Your story is really the story of ABS-CBN. It’s a story that all Filipinos can be inspired by. I speak for everyone present when I say that it has been an honor to work with you all these years.”

As a gift, Vidanes presented Concio “a one-of-a-kind” Ikebana or Japanese flower arrangement. Vidanes said the network would bring Concio “at her most convenient time” to Japan to learn the art of Ikebana from a Japanese master. Lopez also said a biography of Concio would be released in 2016.

“It will be about the humble beginnings of Charo. It will inspire Filipinos all around the world to follow her path,” he said.

Gary Valenciano, who performed with Sharon Cuneta, made a speech “on behalf of every artist of ABS-CBN.” The singer said, “You stood by every artist, served as inspiration to us, too. You’ve made our world a happier place.”

Christopher de Leon, Richard Gomez, Piolo Pascual, Sam Milby and Aga Muhlach, whom Concio described as “five of my favorite leading men,” performed a medley.

Dulce opened the show with her version of the Constancio de Guzman classic piece “Maalaala Mo Kaya,” the theme of Concio’s long-running drama anthology of the same title. Dulce was accompanied by the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, with Gerard Salonga as conductor.

Touching number

Zsa Zsa Padilla, Toni Gonzaga, Angeline Quinto, Billy Crawford and Bamboo also sang some of Concio’s favorite dance tunes. However, what was perhaps the most touching performance for Concio was that of her granddaughters Julia and Talia, who sang together as their dad, Francis Concio, took over Salonga’s role as orchestra conductor.

“Thank you to my family for the unconditional love, for your understanding and patience. Thank you for the respect and the love,” said Concio.

Incidentally, Concio is the gala chair of the 43rd International Emmy Awards, which will take place on Nov. 23 at the New York Hilton Hotel.

The Academy recently unveiled the 40 nominees across 10 categories and 19 countries that include Angola, Austria, Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, France, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.

As chair, Concio will preside over the gala, during which the International Academy will recognize programming in 10 categories and present special awards to Julian Fellowes, creator and writer of “Downton Abbey” (Founders Award) and Richard Plepler, chair and CEO of HBO (Directorate Award).

Concio is the first Philippine TV network executive to be invited as gala chair in the international award-giving body.

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