Charo Santos-Concio

Charo Santos-Concio is a multi-award winning Filipino actress, media executive, and philanthropist. She is best known for her leading roles in various soap operas and films, and for her decades-long career as the CEO of ABS-CBN, the largest media network in the Philippines.

Born in Manila in 1956, Chari Santos-Concio is the youngest of five siblings. She grew up in a middle class family and attended the University of Santo Tomas, where she graduated with a degree in Psychology.

Santos-Concio started her career in the entertainment industry in the late 1970s, where her talent for acting was quickly recognized. She starred in numerous films and television series, including the soap operas “Cara y Cruz” and “Lovingly Yours, Helen”. Her performance in the latter earned her a Best Actress award from the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences in 1978.

In the 1980s, Santos-Concio ventured into producing and directing. She co-founded the production company Star Cinema, which produced some of the Philippines’ most successful films. In 1988, she was appointed as the Vice President of ABS-CBN, and in 1997, she was promoted to CEO.

As CEO of ABS-CBN, Santos-Concio has been instrumental in transforming the network into a global media powerhouse. Under her leadership, ABS-CBN has launched various digital platforms, acquired a controlling stake in Sky Cable, and expanded its reach to include more than 70 countries.

Santos-Concio’s work has been recognized by numerous awards and accolades, including the People Management Association of the Philippines’ Management Man of the Year award in 2007, and the Philippine Legion of Honor in 2008. She was also named one of Asia’s Most Powerful Women by Forbes in 2011.

Santos-Concio is also an active philanthropist, supporting various causes in the Philippines and abroad. In 2017, she was appointed as a Commissioner of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor.

Santos-Concio continues to be an inspiration to many Filipinos. Her career is a testament to the power of hard work and dedication, and her commitment to giving back to the community is an example of true leadership.