CHARO SANTOS? role as counselor on ABS-CBN?s ?Maalaala Mo Kaya? extends to real life.

It is not uncommon for the Kapamilya president and chief operating officer to act as therapist and shock absorber to troubled stars, she admits.

Although she is shielded from the network?s day-to-day concerns, she makes it a point to have a ?personal? relationship with the stars.

?I have one-on-one talks with them. Sometimes, a star would come to my office to discuss problems until 1 or 2 in the morning,? Charo says. ?Even if I?m sleepy, I listen.?

More than work

She?s more than the head of a multimedia organization and the stars are not just contract talents for her.

?I?m sincerely interested in their lives,? she explains. ?They can cry on my shoulder. Or, they can be angry with me.?

Like any mom, she?s not afraid to dispense ?tough love? when needed.

?It?s hard to discipline them, but it?s for their own good,? she points out.

Reality check

She?s not embarrassed to give them a reality check, either. ?I don?t flatter them. If they did a good job, I?d tell them. If their performance was half-baked, I?d let them know, too.?

She texts or chats with them regularly. ?I tell them if they have mannerisms that they?re unaware of. If you are coming from a place of love, care and concern, they?ll listen.?

As a former actress, she knows what they?re going through.

Among her regular text-mates are Sharon Cuneta and Kris Aquino whose messages are often ?surprising and candid.? She has also had ?talks? with KC Concepcion, Angel Locsin and Judy Ann Santos. ?Even with the boys, John Lloyd (Cruz) and Piolo (Pascual).?

She always reminds them to respect the audience. ?I tell them, ?The public doesn?t know that you fought with your boyfriend or mother. Even if you?re having problems, you owe the audience a good performance.??

She has the highest regard for veterans like Dolphy and Gloria Romero. ?They?re so grounded, the epitome of humility. They carry stardom with elegance and grace.?

Then there?s Willie Revillame. ?I love Willie,? she says, laughing.

About Willie

Doesn?t he give her headaches? ?Not really,? she quips, but corrects herself just as swiftly: ?Not anymore!?

When a star decides to leave the network, she insists that she doesn?t resort to emotional blackmail to make him stay.

?My first consideration is their happiness,? she notes.

If they are ?torn,? she helps them ?process? the decision, she says. ?If they are unsure which path to take, I can objectively present the pros and cons to them.?

She?s not just Ma?am Charo to them, it seems; she?s also Mom Charo.

E-mail: bayanisandiego@hotmail.com