Boss Gabby hosts blowout for ‘promoted’ Charo

MANILA, Philippines - After the ABS-CBN management announced the appointment of Charo Santos-Concio to CEO, the network chairman Gabby Lopez (above, leftmost) hosted a surprise dinner for Charo and her staff.

‘She deserves it,’ said Charo’s good friend, Balikbayan Baby K. Jimenez, who was among the guests (including Senatoriable Grace Poe-Llamanzares, right). ‘She really rose from the ranks. She has worked hard for whatever success she is enjoying now.’

And what a rise it has been — starting from being a wide-eyed movie fan from Calapan, Oriental Mindoro to a beauty queen (Baron Travel Girl, remember?) to a versatile actress to a movie producer to the head of the one of the country’s two top networks.

Through it all, Charo has never changed, as those who know her well can attest to it. Despite the lofty position she’s holding now, she has remained a probinsyana at heart, with feet firmly planted on the ground.