Charo Santos continues to push the envelope
Complacency and mediocrity are not in the vocabulary of Charo Santos-Concio. She’s not the type who would just sit on her laurels. Even at 70, she continues to push the envelope. Ms. Charo portrays a lesbian role alongside Boots Anson Roa in Brilliante Mendoza’s “Until She Remembers,” which opens on Feb. 25 in cinemas. What a formidable combination.
The two icons show us how it is to grow old sans getting cold. Charo and Boots have mastered the art of aging boldly.
Here’s my chat with Charo:
What excites you and makes you nervous about playing a lesbian role?
“What excites me is the opportunity to tell a human story with honesty. Love, longing, fear and courage are emotions we all recognize, regardless of labels. As an actress, I am always drawn to roles that ask me to listen more deeply and to approach a character with empathy.
“And syempre, what kept me really excited about this project was the chance to finally do a film with my idol since my teens, Ms. Boots Anson Roa Rodrigo; to work with a talented young actress, Barbie Forteza; and, the great honor of working with direk Brillante Mendoza.
“What makes me nervous — if I may call it that — is the responsibility. I want to be truthful and respectful, especially when portraying lives and experiences that deserve careful understanding. It reminds me to be humble in the process, to keep learning and to serve the story above everything else.”
Please share what you can talk about regarding the story of your movie with Tita Boots.
“It is a quiet, intimate story about memory, love and the things we hold on to — and the things we are forced to let go of. At its heart, it is about two women whose shared past continues to shape who they are, even as time and circumstances change them.
“It is not a loud film. It relies on silences, on what is remembered and what is forgotten. It asks gentle but difficult questions about identity, forgiveness and the kind of love that stays, even when words fail.”
How are Tita Boots and you preparing for your movie?
“Tita Boots and I have known each other for many years, and that history helps. She has always been my role model. I have always looked up to her with great respect and admiration as a person, a woman, an artist, a professional. There is so much trust and shared bonding between us that we didn’t have to talk much about anything. We just knew instinctively what was required of both our characters.
“Still, we approached the work with fresh eyes. We allowed space for silence, for reflection. We are both at a stage where we understand that preparation is not just about lines but about emotional readiness and presence.”
Just for fun, who are your girl crushes?
“Siguro, it’s not so much about girl crushes but about women I admire. I admire women who are intelligent, grounded and authentic. Women who carry strength with grace — those who have stayed true to themselves through time.
“I am inspired by women who choose kindness, courage and purpose every day. That, to me, is always attractive.”
‘Spring in Prague’
Prague has long been on my bucket list. After watching the premiere of “Spring in Prague” (SIP), all the more I wish that I could teleport to the postcard-pretty capital of the Czech Republic.
The movie, which opens on Feb. 4 in cinemas, is produced by top-notch lawyer, Ferdie Topacio’s Borracho Films. Megged by Lester Dimaranan, it is top-billed by Paolo Gumabao and Czech actress Sara Sandeva.
“SIP” is no run-of-the-mill rom-com. It has historical allusions and political subtexts. The main characters are designed as metaphors. I like how the story is divided into seasons to symbolize the stages of love.
Alfie (played by Paolo) and Maruska (Sara) go beyond the kilig factor. They feed the mind of the audience too. Their “You-and-me-against-the-world” romance reminds us that if we want something badly enough to happen, it will.
Here are quotes from Paolo and Ferdie:
Paolo: “For a change, I don’t play kontrabida. My character, Alfie, is genuinely kind. I learned how to work around being a leading man and the cinematic way of acting naturally as a lover boy.”
Ferdie: “The story and the dialogue go beyond a conversation between two lovers. It reflects the distinction between democracy and communism.”
Paolo: “My takeaway from my character is that cultural differences won’t matter if a couple really wants to work things out. Love makes the impossible possible.”
Ferdie: “The cross-cultural romance of Alfie and Maruska is inspired by real-life stories of Pinoys in Prague who fell for Czech women.”
Paolo: “It was tough to shoot in sub-zero weather in Prague. What a contrast after shooting our scenes in sunny Puerto Galera.”
Ferdie: “Boraccho is just a small player in the industry, but we aim to elevate the taste of the public. Commercial viability is not the main consideration. We make movies for the sake of art.”
Paolo: “I’ve done frontal nudity before. Once is enough.”
Ferdie: “The title of the movie is sort of a wordplay. There’s a historical event known as Prague Spring. It led to the breakup of Czechoslovakia into the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic in 1968.”
Lee Victor’s ‘PBB’ stint
Sparkle heartthrob and Anak TV Youth ambassador Lee Victor has stepped out of “Bahay ni Kuya” and stepped into the hearts of “PBB”’s (Pinoy Big Brother) fans. Even if he didn’t end up as the big winner, Victor still feels victorious because his “PBB” experience changed him for the better.
Here’s my chat with Lee:
What’s your takeaway from your ‘PBB’ stint?
“It’s that growth really happens when you’re uncomfortable. I learned so much about myself. I realized that being real is not about being perfect. It’s about owning your mistakes, listening and choosing to be better every day. Living with 19 different people with different personalities taught me patience, empathy and the value of understanding others before judging them. More than anything, ‘PBB’ reminded me that I’m still learning and that’s okay. This journey helped shape me into someone more grounded, more aware and more grateful. And I’ll carry these lessons with me wherever I go next.”
Who do you think deserves to be the big winner?
“Heath. I saw how consistent he was, not just in tasks but in how he treated people. In a place where emotions are heightened and everything is tested, our bond was real. That kind of friendship isn’t easy to form, especially under pressure. Heath showed up not just as a housemate but as a true friend.”
What’s your most memorable moment in the ‘PBB’ house?
“Our first pool party. It wasn’t just about having fun… it was the first time we all truly let our guards down.”
Tell us a bit about your upcoming projects.
“I’m excited for the release of my first single, which embodies my passion. I can’t wait to finally share it with everyone.”
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