MANILA, Philippines-

CHARO & CORY

“I cry on her shoulder and bare my soul to her in my low moments,” said Charo Santos-Concio, first woman president of broadcasting giant ABS-CBN. The former beauty queen and actress said this friend supported her every step of the way in her successful career.

Charo’s friendship with Cory Vidanes, ABS-CBN head for TV productions, started 21 years ago, when she (Charo) joined the Kapamilya network as a production manager in 1987. Cory, still at Valenzuela at the time, was an executive producer for ABS-CBN. “Naging magaan agad ang loob namin sa isa’t isa,” Charo told Inquirer Entertainment.

Cory agreed. “We enjoyed working together; Walang power-tripping. We both knew that we could trust each other with our secrets.”

Charo also became godmother to Cory when the latter married TV director Bobet Vidanes; and then again to the couple’s youngest son, Kobe.

“We’ve had a lot of fun moments,” added Charo. They regularly chat on the phone, eat out, go shopping abroad. “We’ve been to the US together many times. We’ve also been to Singapore and Hong Kong, to shop. Next year, if time permits, we will go to Europe and the Middle East. We try to make time for each other.”

At work, Cory said, they’ve always treated each other with respect. “If I do something wrong, she scolds me. As her subordinate, I always apologize when I make mistakes. We learn from each other that way.”

On the other hand, Charo said, “We have so much love, loyalty and caring for each other. And this is despite the fact that we’re different in a lot of ways. I’m an introvert, the shy type, while Cory loves to be around people.”

IZA & SUNSHINE

Dramatic actresses Iza Calzado and Sunshine Dizon have been best friends for seven years. Sunshine recounted, “I was part of ‘That’s Entertainment.’ Our group used to have dance rehearsals in the studio owned by Iza’s dad (Lito Calzado, TV director and choreographer). I would see her there.”

The girls both joined show biz at a young age. They first worked together in 2001, on the show “Kung Mawawala Ka,” Iza’s first soap, aired on GMA 7.

“Show business can be tough on our friendship,” said Iza. “Since we’re both drama actresses, we’re of the same age and work for the same network, people always pitted us against each other. But since we know each other well, ’di kami nagpaapekto sa mga sabi-sabi.”

Sunshine added: “It’s hard to explain our relationship. Malalim s’ya. We talk about a lot of things. We have the same wavelength. We think alike and, therefore, deal with situations the same way.”

Iza said the secret to her long-lasting friendship with Sunshine is ensuring there’s healthy competition between them. Iza explained, “Personally, I don’t go after a certain role if I know that Sunshine likes it. I don’t risk our friendship just for one project. We’re smart enough not to let rumors affect our relationship. If you let it get to you, ikaw ang talo.”

LUCY & WILMA

Another seemingly unusual pair is Lucy Torres and Wilma Doesnt, who became best friends on the set of their magazine show, “The Sweet Life” on QTV 11. Wilma is known for her wacky antics; on TV, Lucy is admired for being poised.

“We bond every Monday and Tuesday, during tapings,” said Wilma, a former ramp model. “We talk about everything under the sun. If I have problems, I run to her for advice. I consider Lucy my big sister.”

Because eating is one of Lucy’s passions, Wilma always brings to the set food that her own mom cooks for Lucy. “’Pag walang taping, we send each other text messages or talk on the phone about what we did during the weekend,” Wilma said.

Lucy said she also counts actresses Kris Aquino and Gelli de Belen among her fast friends. “I’m close to them in different ways,” said the wife of matinee idol Richard Gomez. “Kris and I watch movies together. Sometimes, we bring along my daughter (Juliana) and her son Joshua. ’Pag masinsinang usapan, si Gelli ’yan. We like talking over dinner.”

MARK & CHRISTIAN

It’s not because of their identical family names.
Singer-actors Mark Bautista and Christian Bautista became close as a result of their involvement in some sort of a love triangle. Mark was a suitor of singer Rachelle Ann Go, Christian’s former girlfriend.

Christian once confessed on the Sunday gabfest “The Buzz” that, as much as he wanted to, he couldn’t confront Rachelle’s suitors—including Mark—because their relationship was supposed to be kept secret.

Things eventually worked out between the guys, both Kapamilya talents. They worked together as part of The Singing Champions, a group managed by ABS-CBN that toured the US and parts of Europe a few years back.

“Napagbabaliktad kami palagi ng mga tao,” Christian recalled. “We always had a good laugh over that.”

Mark said it also helped that that he and Christian are both members of the Victory Christian Fellowship, which meets weekly for Bible study. “It was during these sessions that we got to discuss really personal stuff,” Mark said.

How to keep a pal
•Christian gives this advice: “Don’t be scared to tell your friend what he needs to hear, even though he may not like it. You’re helping him improve in that sense.”

•Charo says she and Cory always look out for each other: “This industry is a tough place to be in. We find comfort in our friendship.”

•Cory is well aware of the many challenges that her friend is currently facing as network president. She has made one thing clear to Charo: “She can trust me.”

E-mail mcruz@inquirer.com.ph