Photo from Student Affairs Office | St. Paul University Manila
St. Paul University Manila conferred its first-ever Doctor of Humanities, Honoris Causa to Ms. Ma. Rosario “Charo” Santos-Concio for her outstanding leadership in Philippine media, her trailblazing role as President and CEO of ABS-CBN, and her unwavering commitment to values-based storytelling in film and television during its 86th Commencement Exercises at the Fleur-de-lis-Theater on May 30, 2025.Below is the speech delivered by Dr. Santos-Concio, during the 86th Commencement Exercises of St. Paul University Manila.
Below is the speech delivered by Dr. Santos-Concio, during the 86th Commencement Exercises of St. Paul University Manila.
“To the Dreamers Who Dared”
Graduation Speech of Charo Santos-Concio
Class of 2025
St. Paul University, Manila
May 30, 2025
Magandang araw po sa inyong lahat.
To the Board of Trustees of St. Paul University Manila, to our esteemed faculty and administrators, to the President’s Council—Sr. Maria Evangeline Anastacio, SPC; Sr. Marivic Estrella, SPC; Sr. Nicole de Marie Dabalus, SPC; and, Dr. Lourna Tagay; beloved parents, honored guests, and most especially—to the graduates of the Class of 2025—EYYYY! Congratulations! You made it! You dared. You endured. You arrived.
What a joy to be celebrating this milestone with all of you.
It is with deep gratitude and humility that I accept this honoris causa from the very institution that shaped me—not only into a communicator, but into a storyteller. A woman of faith. A lifelong learner. A soul in progress.
Kaya po, mula sa kaibuturan ng aking puso—maraming, maraming salamat, St. Paul University Manila. This will always be home. You gave me my first taste of independence, my first glimpse of purpose, and the courage to listen to that small, persistent voice inside me—the one that whispered, “You were meant to tell stories.”
So today, allow me to share a few of my ‘once upon a time’ moments—because that’s how all great stories begin.”
Once upon a time, there was a simple probinsyana from Calapan, Oriental Mindoro. That was me. I was the classic “good girl”—yung tipong laging present sa attendance, mahiyain, kung hindi mo kakausapin, hindi iimik, may baon na pagkain.
I followed the rules. I chased grades. And like many of you, walked the halls of this very school with a heart full of hope and a mind filled with questions. When I came here for college, I enrolled in Communication Arts. In the first semester, Martial Law was declared. And all media establishments closed down. So sabi ko sa sarili ko, ay ano na ang future ko? Wala na kong pupuntahan, sarado na lahat ng media establishments.
And being the daughter of a doctor, I shifted to Nursing. And I took up three and a half years of Nursing, here in St. Paul University Manila. But when I started my hospital work, ayan na… Nalaman ng aking puso na hindi ako para sa Nursing. And I shifted back to Communication Arts.
There was this persistent nudge, like a gentle tap on my shoulder—urging me to look inward. And so, I listened. I took the risk. And that whisper became a voice. That voice became passion. That passion became purpose.
And that shift? It changed my life.
I left the comforts of home and stepped into a world where I had to make my own way. My allowance barely covered transportation and merienda. But every day, I carried more than coins in my pocket—I carried dreams in my heart. I braved the crowds. I embraced the fear. And I moved forward, led by three anchors that still guide me to this day: hard work, commitment to my core, and self-reliance.
Let me tell you about them.
Hard work
Not the kind that is performative. Not the #hustleculture kind na kahit burned out ka na, wala ka nang tulog, go ka pa rin—para lang masabing “grinding.”
No. I am talking about the kind of hard work that’s quiet, consistent, steady, mindful, and purposeful. The kind that doesn’t scream for validation but shows up—rain or shine, tired or not.
Every script I studied, every role I inhabited, every production I led—I did so with intention. I gave it my all. With reverence. With heart. Even if no one was watching. It’s not about showing off. It’s about showing up. Because the seeds you plant in silence will bloom in the right season.
That’s how real success is built—brick by quiet brick. Step by step lang, sasakses ka.
Because hard work, kahit wala pang likes or views, builds character. Builds grit. Builds you.
And so I say: show up. Plant with purpose. The harvest will come. As we boomers like to say, with all the wisdom of years behind us:
There is no substitute for hard work and consistency.
No algorithm can do the growing for you.
Next is, commitment to your core.
The world is loud. Noisier now than ever. And it keeps on evolving. Gen Zs, you know this—you’ve seen trends change in 24 hours. One day it’s “rizz,” the next it’s “delulu” and suddenly you’re expected to post twice a day, reinvent yourself weekly just to stay relevant, and always have a hot take.
But here’s what I’ve learned: trends and relevance fade. But truth—your truth and your identity—stays.
Stay rooted in who you are.
If you stay rooted in your values—your core—you won’t lose yourself in the noise. You don’t need to go viral to feel seen. You just need to stay real.
I’ve played many roles on screen, but I never lost sight of who I was off-screen. Ako si Charo. Anak. Kapatid. Asawa. Nanay. Lola. Kaibigan. Kapamilya. And most proudly, a Paulinian.
Because when everything around you shifts, your core keeps you grounded. It reminds you of where you started, what matters, and who you are when no one’s looking.
And trust me, in a world that rewards filters and personas, that is obsessed with visibility, your biggest flex is your authenticity.
And finally, self-reliance.
Kasi hindi lahat ng bagay makukuha mo agad. We have to be patient. Hindi siya instant. Not every dream unfolds like a cinematic montage—complete with background music and a slow-motion glow-up. Sometimes, it’s slow. Sometimes, it’s messy.
There will be plot twists you didn’t see coming. I’ve faced rejections. Roles I didn’t get. Scripts that never aired. Projects I poured my heart into… that never even saw the light of day. Auditions you rehearse for, only to be told “try your luck next time.”
I’ve experienced all of that. And more. And yes, I’ve had moments where I sat alone and asked myself, “Am I enough?”
But here’s what I want you to remember: I stood back up. Not because someone carried me. But because I chose to rise. And you can choose it, too. Even when you feel like the world’s not cheering for you because you will learn to cheer for yourself.
True self-reliance is not about standing alone or about pretending you have it all together. It’s not about being a lone wolf, or doing everything solo. It’s about trusting that the strength to rise again is already inside you. It’s about knowing that when life throws curveballs, when timelines get delayed, and when dreams don’t arrive on schedule—your ability to keep going anyway is what will set you apart. It is about knowing that your strength—your grace, your resilience—come from within, and from God, who walks with you even in your most quiet battles.
Because real life isn’t about instant results or viral moments. It’s about grit and grace under pressure. So, when life delays your plans, or detours your path—don’t panic. Don’t rush. You might not have all the answers now—and that’s okay. Malay mo, soft launch pa lang yan sa timeline mo. What looks like a detour might be a destiny in disguise.
Own your narrative. Because your story, told in truth and courage, will always be enough.
To those of you stepping into the real world: brace yourselves, expect some chaos.
The journey ahead will be full of tests, turns, and tension. You will work with people who are more seasoned—or more followed. You will face pressure, comparison, and moments of doubt. And yes, your mental strength will be tested.
But always remember: failure is not the opposite of success—it is part of it. I’ve had so many failures. I went through depression myself when Channel 2 lost its leadership in Mega Manila. It really hurt and I blamed myself. But, you just have to learn. Learn from your failures and rise up again.
Sometimes, when you feel like you’re flopping, ‘yun pala ang character development arc mo.
Even in moments of uncertainty, you hold on to faith. To family. And to the stories that shaped you.
Silent battles make strong warriors.
You don’t have to be the “main character” every day. Sometimes, you’re in your side quest era. And sometimes, you’re even the comic relief. Pero hindi ibig sabihin nuon, wala kang halaga. Every role in your story matters.
Years ago, a young woman walked onto the set of “Maalaala Mo Kaya.” Her voice shook, her hands trembled. It was her first time acting. She said, “Ma’am Charo, ayoko nang ituloy ito baka hindi ko po kaya.” I looked at her and said, “Kaya mo yan. Just tell your story like it’s yours.”
That young woman is now an award-winning actress.
You see, when you tell your story honestly, when you live with integrity and heart—people listen. They connect. Because authenticity is timeless. Kahit pa-filtered na ang mundo.
Even in this era of AI—kahit AI pa ang next big tech invention—the most important value remains: human connection. Machines may evolve, but empathy, authenticity, and the way we show up for one another? That will always be irreplaceable.
So, dear graduates, a few reminders as you enter this new chapter:
📌 Your parents’ dreams for you are valid. But your dreams matter, too.
Parents, allow your children to carve their own journey. Let go. Let them discover the world. Let them make mistakes; that will make them stronger and better people.
📌 You don’t have to have it all figured out by 25. Even Google takes a few seconds to load—kayo pa kaya?
📌 Rest and pray. Always make time for reflection. It’s a very noisy world out there. Reflection is important to one’s well-being. And, you are allowed to rest. Rest is not weakness. Rest is productive. Rest is part of progress. It’s how we renew our minds, mend our hearts, and realign with what truly matters. Put in the work, say a prayer, and then leave it in His hands. Because faith is not just believing in the outcome—it is trusting also in the timing. You don’t have to carry it all alone. Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do… is to be still. And let God move.
📌 Grit + grace = growth. That’s the real formula. Grit will push you to keep going when the odds are stacked against you. Grace will remind you to be kind to yourself when you stumble. Together, they shape you—not just into someone who survives—but into someone who flourishes. You’ll need both. Grit to persevere, and grace to breathe. One strengthens your will. The other softens your heart.
📌 And most importantly—look at your parents today. The ones who sacrificed so you could be here. Who stayed up late when you were crying over your finals. Who whispered prayers when you didn’t know what to pray for. Say to them—out loud: “Ma, Pa, salamat po. Mahal na mahal ko kayo.”
Go ahead, be bold. Make mistakes. Create. Love deeply. Fail kindly. Lose. Rise bravely. Reinvent. Rewrite. Rest. Repeat.
And when you’re feeling lost, come home to your core. To your story. To your truth. To your God. God’s timing is never off. Even your detours have purpose. He is the Author of the greatest stories—and yes, He is still writing yours.
You have the rizz. You have the range. You have the resilience.
But most importantly, you have grace—in you, around you, and above you.
Live a life worth telling.
Congratulations, Paulinians, Class of 2025. Your story is just beginning. Make it honest. Make it brave. Make it yours.
Maraming salamat, and may God bless you always.
Nagmamahal,
Charo