The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
by Boy Villasanta
Charo Santos’ new-found freedom makes her hands more full with creative responsibilities particularly her being a thespian unlike when she was stepping up the ladder in the corporate hierarchy of ABS-CBN management where she was into policy-making and implementing managerial powers.
This time, Charo sees to it that she’s not only wearing many hats (read: screen roles) and showing emotions and thoughts in varying degrees, shapes, sizes and colors but at the same time convincing the audiences of her chameleonic prowess as a reel character.
Her latest outing, Centerstage Productions and CreaZion Studios’ “Until She Remembers” with internationally acclaimed film artist Brillante Ma. Mendoza at the helm, no less, proves just that.
Yes, years after being directed by Lav Diaz, another world renowned filmmaker in the award-winning “Ang Babaing Humayo (The Woman Who Left),” it’s Mendoza’s turn to make the most of her talent.
In this film project, Charo’s pursuit of truthfully and faithfully essaying a colorful persona is again on the roll to draw out her acting chops.
According to Brillante, he has been eyeing Charo to star in one of his masterpieces in the past. “But she was busy with her work at ABS-CBN,” said the 2009 Palme d’Or Best Director of the Cannes International Film Festival for “Kinatay (The Butchered).”
Mendoza added that he didn’t mince words when he offered the role of Concha, a student of English lit in her high school who undergoes bitter experiences in life.
“Ang sabi nga ni Charo, kumpleto na ang kanyang filmography (She’s happy, according to Charo, because she already has a comprehensive filmography to speak of),” echoed Dante.
It qualifies that in her illustrious career as an actress, she has been directed by topmost directors, four of which are National.Artists for Film, namely Lino Brocka in “Gumapang Ka Sa Lusak” and “Kontrobersyal”; Ishmael Bernal in “Tisoy”; Marilou Diaz-Abaya in “Brutal” and Eddie Romero in “Aguila.”
She was also directed by Mike de Leon in “Itim,” “Kakabakaba Ka Ba?” and “Kisapmata”; Maryo J. de los Reyes in “High School Circa ’65” and “Apat na Maria”; Laurice Guillen in “Kapag Langit ang Humatol”; Chito S. Rono in “Kailan Ka Magiging Akin” and a host of other outstanding directors in diverse genres.
“Until She Remembers” is set to hit the local screens in February or March in 2026 and live streaming eventually.
Charo co-stars in the movie with Boots Anson Roa-Rodrigo, Barbie Forteza, Angel Aquino, Erlinda Villalobos, Eric Quizon, Rene Durian, Albert Martinez, among others.