[CORRECTS error in earlier version that identified Mr. Miguel Jose Navarrete as past president of ABS-CBN. Mr. Navarrete was former CFO of ABS-CBN]
By ZINNIA B. DELA PEÑA
The Philippine Star
Actress and film producer Charo Santos-Concio has taken the reins at ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp., making her the first woman president of the media conglomerate.
Prior to assuming the presidency of ABS-CBN, Santos-Concio was head of the broadcasting giant’s flagship station Channel 2.
Santos-Concio, who began her career as an actress, joined ABS-CBN as consultant in June 1987 and moved up to director for programs in 1989, vice-president of production operations in 1991 and senior vice-president for TV production in 1996.
In 1998, Santos-Concio was promoted executive vice-president, taking full responsibility in overseeing the entertainment content of Channel 2.
Santos-Concio, who completed a management course at Harvard University, has been credited in creating ABS-CBN’s top-rated programs and even Star Cinema’s box-office successes.
She is also the brains behind the most successful and longest-running TV drama anthology program, Maalaala Mo Kaya, which she also hosts.
"Charo brought greater synergy between sales, marketing, and production, which enabled the company to deliver remarkable business results for the past two years," ABS-CBN said in a statement.
Santos-Concio assumed the position vacated by Luis Alejandro in 2006. ABS-CBN Chairman Eugenio Lopez III had been president in the interim between Alejandro's resignation and Santos-Concio's appointment as new ABS-CBN president.