The success story of Charo Santos-Concio makes her a pillar of influence and wisdom, which is why many individuals in and out of showbiz look up to her as a role model. In this episode of Ask Angelica, the leading woman shared her journey to the top and imparted advice to video callers mostly fazed by dilemmas about motherhood, love, and career.
It’s an inspiring, and surprisingly wholesome, episode with host Angelica Panganiban and her ‘Tropang Totoo’ Kean Cipriano and Via Antonio!
For the ABS-CBN executive, nothing comes on a silver platter. She had to work hard and start at the bottom before becoming an established media executive that she is today. She was a production assistant in the classic sitcom “John En Marsha” before she ventured into acting. But she fell more in love with the production hustle.
“Sa pag-asenso ko through the years, going up the ranks, alam ko talaga ‘yung nangyayari sa baba. Alam ko kung anong trabaho ng bawat isa sa set. Lahat ng ginagawa ng kasama ko sa set, pwede kong gawin,” she said.
After not skipping a single step in the career ladder, Charo was more than equipped to enter the corporate world. The experiences shaped her into an effective leader and team player.
As the pillar of the longest-running drama anthology Maalaala Mo Kaya, even Charo takes wisdom from the life story of their letter senders.
“Malaki ang nagawa nu’n sa pagtingin ko sa buhay. Nagbabasa ako ng kwento ng ibang tao at nakikita ko ‘yung mga pinagdadaanan nila, mas lumabas ‘yung pag-unawa ko na ang mundo pala hindi umiikot sa atin lang. Ang kwento ng bawat isa dapat tinitingnan natin sa konteksto ng kanyang circumstances at pinagdadaanan,” shared the lady boss.
The gang met the first video caller, a single mom to a 23-year-old son, asking for advice on how to deal with depression during this pandemic. Charo noted that negative feelings come from a certain trigger. In the case of the guest netizen, it may be caused by the uncertainties about her child’s future. Charo told her to encourage her son to find new opportunities. It may be difficult but we shouldn’t let the challenges keep us stagnant.
To young women struggling with their careers, Charo underscored that dreams have no deadline. “You have all the time in the world. Listen to your heart. Ang importante, masaya ka sa ginagawa mo and you are passionate about what you are doing. Ang attitude mo dapat, ‘I will learn everything that I could learn as I go through these experiences.’ You don’t have to rush, enjoy every minute,” she reminded the netizen.
Women, especially those seemingly fragile on the outside, are often plagued with discrimination. Angelica empowered young girls telling them that they should get out of their comfort zone and take each experience as a learning opportunity. She emphasized that ladies are even more capable than men and childbirth is one ultimate proof.
A video caller raised the topic about strong independent women, prompting Charo to recall a nugget of wisdom she got from her father. “Kinausap niya kami, sabi niya, ‘One day mawawala ako sa mga buhay ninyo. Kailangan makatindig kayo sa sarili n’yong mga paa. Don’t depend on any man. You have to take care of yourself and you have to learn to fend for yourself.’ Ang pagmamahal talaga sa sarili, kailangan buo ‘yun, eh. Don’t depend on anyone for your happiness.”
Angelica further added that there must be room for personal growth even in a romantic relationship. She also had a savage response on the issue of body-shaming. “Ito ‘yung panlabas ko pero nakita na ba ninyo ‘yung panloob ko kasi ‘yun ang pinaka-importante sa lahat? Lahat ng tao pwedeng tumanada, magka-wrinkles, tumaba. Pero ‘yung pag-uugali mo, pagbutihan mo lang nang pagbutihan, walang mawawala sa’yo,” she said.
To end the episode, Charo urged young women to take as much lessons as they can while navigating life. “Marami pang pagkakadapa ang daraanan bago natin makilala ang sarili natin.”
Check out the insightful episode about the life of a woman –her sense of self-worth, control over her own happiness, decision-making power, and more!