To begin with, Charo, the managing director of Mega-Manila Channel 2, believes her network is not at war. She asserts they are in a competition and competition is good in any thriving economy.
"We really don’t consider ourselves to be in a network war because ABS-CBN is more than just a TV station," she says, adding that her network is a content company delivering the best in information, entertainment and public service via different platforms.
"We focus on serving the needs of our audience," says Charo.
So focused is the network that ABS-CBN, in the eyes and minds of many, has become No. 1. Of course, again, many will contest that assertion considering that a couple of years ago, the other station won in the ratings game. And it takes courage and dignity on the part of Charo to admit that in 2005, ABS-CBN played second fiddle to GMA 7. That experience made her cry.
"But failure, more than success, is the best teacher," Charo says. In the arms of her husband Cesar and children Francis, 22 and Martin, 19, she found the strength to turn things around.
"My biggest accomplishment for my company is that I am successful in putting together and unifying the different groups representing the core competence of ABS-CBN," says Charo whose career in show business was turbo-propped in 1976, after winning the title Baron Travel Girl, and Asia’s Best Actress, via her sterling and starring role in Itim, a classic obra helmed by Mike de Leon.
As for the biggest accomplishment in her life, Charo considers this: "I have embarked on a personal journey starting from being a simple lass in Calapan, Oriental Mindoro through successive triumphs and disappointments at home and in my work."
She believes in the capacity of her staff, listening to them, believing in their dreams. Charo is grounded because she is conscious of where she came from  she once worked behind the scenes, as a production assistant and one-time extra for John and Marsha.. Her 20 years with ABS-CBN made her realize more her desire to serve, her challenge to surmount all the triumphs and end up victorious.
Talk about triumph, the biggest victory in Charo’s life bar none is her family.
"The one non-negotiable trait in my family is an atmosphere of truth expressed in totally open communication. This honesty led to the formation of our shared values," Charo says.
Her happiness at home is the same happiness she carries with her when she goes to work. And if the aphorism holds true that happiness equals success, both Charo and her network are the happiest now.