Lance Joseph Martinez

Charo Santos-Concio Pays Tribute To Mike De Leon, Her ‘First Mentor’ And ‘Artistic Soulmate’

Article (news)

<p>The Philippine film industry is grieving the loss of one of its most visionary and acclaimed filmmakers, <strong>Mike De Leon</strong>, whose passing was announced by the <strong>Film Development Council of the Philippines </strong>on Thursday.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fweb.facebook.com%2Ffdcpofficial%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0RhFtFzUjRUEU8BeHoY6XuBzFmkawckwB7r7qSYTgMZqgD3Novhv13E6VRYpsCW3Rl&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=500" width="500" height="498" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>Among those deeply mourning his death is seasoned actress and former ABS-CBN executive <strong>Charo Santos-Concio</strong>, who paid a heartfelt tribute to De Leon, calling him her “first mentor in the art and discipline of filmmaking.“</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DN5bFtcEwIn/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=1080&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A390565%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="746" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>“From him I learned everything, the rigor of preparing a shot list, the mounting of scenes, the rhythm of narrative, the editing, the discipline of sound, music, and mixing back when motion picture was shot on actual film,” Charo wrote in an Instagram post on Thursday.</p><p>Charo went on to describe the late filmmaker as “a perfectionist, a genius, and a true master of cinema.”</p><p>But beyond his brilliance and artistry, Charo admitted that the loss was also deeply personal to her. She revealed that she considered De Leon not just her mentor but also a friend, sharing that their bond was akin to being “soulmates” in art.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1756435889767charosantos_1756380972_3709114891426284881_4500834534.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @charosantos</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>“Mike was my friend. He gave me trust, guidance, and unforgettable moments of collaboration. Through the years, he was unfailingly present at milestones and even in the most challenging seasons of my life. In my darkest hours, he was there, quiet, steady, kind. Ours was a bond that felt like soulmates in artistry, a connection built on respect and admiration,” she expressed.</p><p>Charo further emphasized the enduring impact of De Leon’s works, stressing how his films were never just meant for viewing but for reflection.</p><p>“He gave us films that were not merely watched, but deeply felt, etched into who we are. <em>Kisapmata, Batch ’81, Kung Mangarap Ka’t Magising, Kakabakaba Ka Ba, </em>and <em>Itim</em> were never just films; they were mirrors, unflinching in their truth, forcing us to confront ourselves and the world we live in,” she said.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1756435971891charosantos_1756380972_3709114891426315431_4500834534.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo by @charosantos</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>The actress also revealed a poignant detail about their last collaboration. She shared that they were preparing to work on a new film together, with the working title<em> Unfinished Business</em>. However, De Leon himself confided in her his premonition that his condition would prevent him from completing it.</p><p>“I don’t think I will live to finish this film because of my condition, so I don’t even want to start it,” Mike told Charo.</p><p>Reflecting on those words, Charo described his passing as both heartbreaking and poetic.</p><p>“Mike’s departure feels like a scene cut too soon, an unfinished business. And yet, in truth, his work is complete. His films will forever illuminate our history, our fears, and our dreams. Paalam, Mike. <em>Maraming salamat</em>. Rest in power,” Charo concluded.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1756436001910charosantos_1756380972_3709114891250145312_4500834534.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo by @charosantos</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Charo’s career itself was deeply intertwined with De Leon’s legacy. She starred in several of his acclaimed films and earned her first <strong>Best Actress </strong>award at the <em></em>Asian Film Festival in 1978 for her performance in his film <em>Itim</em>, which was also awarded as the <strong>Best Picture</strong>.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong></strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:300px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1756436053550MV5BYWZiZmFlOTAtOGVjYy00NTI0LWFjNzktZTg4MGRjNTRlY2YxXkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_FMjpg_UX1000_.jpg" style="width:300px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from IMDb</span></span></span></div><p>Lead photos by <strong>@charosantos</strong></p>

<p>The Philippine film industry, including Charo Santos-Concio, is grieving the loss of one of its most visionary and acclaimed filmmakers, Mike De Leon.</p>

The Philippine film industry, including Charo Santos-Concio, is grieving the loss of one of its most visionary and acclaimed filmmakers, Mike De Leon.