Malou N. Santos
Malou N. Santos | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 3, 1957 |
| Education | University of Santo Tomas (BSc. HRM) |
| Occupations | Business executive, film producer, television producer, music producer |
| Years active | 1983–present |
| Title | Managing director/COO of Star Cinema (1995–2018) |
| Term | 1995 – December 2017 |
Maria Lourdes "Malou" Navarro Santos (born February 3, 1957) is a Filipino businesswoman and film producer. In 1993, she and her sister Charo Santos-Concio founded Star Cinema, for which she served as managing director from 1995 to 2017. During her tenure, Star Cinema rose from financial uncertainty to achieving high commercial success in the Philippine film industry.
Early life and education
Malou Santos was born on February 3, 1957 to Winifredo Santos, a physician, and Nora Navarro-Santos.[1] She has five siblings, including Maria Rosario ("Charo", born 1955).
Santos and her siblings grew up in Calapan, Oriental Mindoro, with her and Charo being fans of radio host Inday Badiday and of actress Nora Aunor by the 1970s.[2][3]
She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in hotel and restaurant management at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila.[1]
Career
After her graduation, Santos started work as an assistant manager at Perpetual Savings Bank.[3] Upon the insistence of her sister, actress and producer Charo Santos-Concio, Santos became a production assistant on the set of the 1984 action film Batuigas II: Pasukuin si Waway, which began her career in the film industry.[3] Santos later served as line producer and associate producer for Regal Films in the 1980s. Santos was credited by filmmaker Olivia Lamasan with encouraging her to pursue writing and directing as a profession instead of advertising.[4]
On May 8, 1993, Santos and her sister Charo founded Star Cinema Productions, Inc., or simply Star Cinema, with Santos as head of production.[5] It was a successor to the sisters' former production company Vision Films, and is a subsidiary of the media conglomerate ABS-CBN. After Simon Ongpin left as managing director in 1995,[5] Santos served as Star Cinema's managing director from 1995 to December 2017.[6][7][8] Santos in 2001 had expressed that the 1995 romantic drama film Sana Maulit Muli was the last film she was "100 percent hands-on" as a producer, and cited it as one of Star Cinema's film productions that "really left a lasting impression on me".[3] She was later credited with encouraging assistant director Rory B. Quintos to pursue directing for the studio.[9]
As head of Star Cinema, Santos has been characterized as maintaining a lower profile than her sister Charo, who was among the top management at ABS-CBN.[3] In September 1997, Viva Films executive Eric Cuatico moved to Star Cinema and became joint managing director with Santos,[6] but left after two years in July 1999 to join the newly established Seven Crown Ventures of Jesse Ejercito, President Joseph Estrada's brother.[10] Although the film studio did not often produce profitable films for most of its early years, by fiscal year 1998, most of Star Cinema's output was noted to have turned a profit.[11]
In the 2000s, the films produced by Star Cinema under the management of Santos were among the most commercially successful films produced in the industry, regularly ranking among the top-grossing Filipino films of the year.[12][13][14][15][16] By the time Santos stepped down as chief operating officer in 2017, Star Cinema films had surpassed on ten occasions the record for the highest-grossing Filipino film of all time: Isusumbong Kita sa Tatay Ko... (1999), Anak (2000), Ang Tanging Ina (2003), Sukob (2006), You Changed My Life (2009), No Other Woman and Praybeyt Benjamin (both 2011), Sisterakas (2012), It Takes a Man and a Woman (2013), and A Second Chance (2015).[17][18][19][20][21][22]
In February 2016, Santos was named COO of Star Creatives.[23] After Santos stepped down as Star Cinema's COO in December 2017, Lamasan was appointed as the new managing director while Santos remained as an executive adviser for the production company.[7]
Filmography
Film (pre-Star Cinema)
| Year | Title | Credited as | Director | Studio | Note(s) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supervising Producer |
Associate Producer |
Line Producer | |||||
| 1984 | Batuigas II: Pasukuin si Waway | No | No | No | Manuel 'Fyke' Cinco | Vanguard Films | as production assistant only |
| 1985 | Hindi Nahahati ang Langit | No | No | No | Mike de Leon | as production manager only with Eriberto Amazan Jr. | |
| Turuang Apoy | Yes | No | No | Luis Enriquez | Brown Fox Organization | ||
| Bomba Arienda | Yes | No | No | Mel Chionglo | |||
| 1986 | Horsey-Horsey: Tigidig-Tigidig | No | Yes | No | Luciano B. Carlos | Regal Films | |
| I Love You, Mama, I Love You, Papa | No | Yes | No | Maryo J. de los Reyes | |||
| Paalam... Bukas ang Kasal Ko | No | Yes | No | Maning Borlaza | |||
| Inday Inday sa Balitaw | No | Yes | No | Luciano B. Carlos | |||
| Batang Quiapo | No | Yes | No | Pablo Santiago | |||
| 1987 | Forward March | No | Yes | No | Luciano B. Carlos | ||
| Jack en Poy: Hale-Hale Hoy! | No | Yes | No | Luciano B. Carlos | |||
| Bunsong Kerubin | No | Yes | No | Luciano B. Carlos | |||
| Asawa Ko, Huwag Mong Agawin | No | Yes | No | Maning Borlaza | |||
| Maria Went to Town | No | No | Yes | Luciano B. Carlos | |||
| 1988 | Ibulong Mo sa Diyos | Yes | No | No | Elwood Perez | ||
| Rosa Mistica | Yes | No | No | Emmanuel H. Borlaza | |||
| Wake Up Little Susie | No | No | Yes | Luciano B. Carlos | |||
| Super Inday and the Golden Bibe | No | No | Yes | Luciano B. Carlos | |||
| Nagbabagang Luha | No | No | Yes | Ishmael Bernal | |||
| One Day, Isang Araw | No | No | Yes | Pablo Santiago | |||
| Petrang Kabayo at ang Pilyang Kuting | No | No | Yes | Luciano B. Carlos | |||
| Me & Ninja Liit | No | No | Yes | Jun P. Cabreira | |||
| 1989 | Gorio en Tekla | No | No | Yes | Luciano B. Carlos | ||
| Impaktita | No | No | Yes | Teddy Chiu | |||
| Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit | No | No | Yes | Elwood Perez | with Olive Lamasan | ||
| 1990 | Papa's Girl | No | No | Yes | Luciano B. Carlos | ||
| Bala at Rosaryo | No | No | Yes | Pepe Marcos | Vision Films | ||
| Kapag Langit ang Humatol | Yes | No | No | Laurice Guillen | |||
| 1991 | Ganti ng Api | Yes | No | No | Marlon Bautista | ||
| Kailan Ka Magiging Akin | Yes | No | No | Chito S. Roño | |||
| 1992 | Yakapin Mo Akong Muli | No | No | Yes | Elwood Perez | Regal Films | |
| Hanggang May Buhay | No | No | Yes | Pepe Marcos | Bonanza Films | ||
| Mahal Kita, Walang Iba | No | No | Yes | Ishmael Bernal | Regal Films | ||
| 1993 | Ms. Dolora X: Ipagtatanggol Kita | No | No | Yes | Elwood Perez | with Ray Maliuanag | |
Film (Star Cinema)
As "producer" only
| Year | Title | Director | Note(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Separada | Chito S. Roño | with Simon C. Ongpin |
| 1995 | Basta't Kasama Kita | Rory B. Quintos | |
| Sarah... Ang Munting Prinsesa | Romy V. Suzara | ||
| Home Sic Home | Efren "Loging" Jarlego | ||
| Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara | Chito S. Roño | ||
| Sana Maulit Muli | Olivia M. Lamasan | ||
| Asero | Joey del Rosario | ||
| Hataw Na! | Jose Javier Reyes | ||
| Matimbang Pa sa Dugo | Jose N. Carreon | ||
| Mangarap Ka | Rory B. Quintos | ||
| 1996 | Oki Doki Doc | Efren "Loging" Jarlego | |
| Madonna and Child | Marilou Diaz-Abaya | Original title: May Nagmamahal Sa'yo | |
| Radio Romance | Jose Javier Reyes | ||
| Ama, Ina, Anak | Jose Javier Reyes | ||
| Milyonaryong Mini | Tony Y. Reyes | ||
| Sa Aking mga Kamay | Rory B. Quintos | ||
| Utol | Toto Natividad | ||
| Cedie | Romy V. Suzara | ||
| Mula Noon Hanggang Ngayon | Khryss Adalia | ||
| Madrasta | Olivia M. Lamasan | ||
| Lahar | Mel Chionglo | ||
| Mara Clara: The Movie | Emil Cruz Jr. Jerry Lopez Sineneng | ||
| Hangga't May Hininga | Toto Natividad | ||
| Ang TV Movie: The Adarna Adventure | Johnny Manahan | ||
| Kung Kaya Mo, Kaya Ko Rin! | Danilo P. Cabreira | ||
| Magic Temple | Peque Gallaga Lore Reyes | ||
| 1997 | Ang Pulubi at ang Prinsesa | Jerry Lopez Sineneng | |
| Iskalawag: Ang Batas Ay Batas | Francis "Jun" Posadas | ||
| Paano ang Puso Ko? | Rory B. Quintos | ||
| Mariano Mison... NBI | Joey del Rosario | ||
| I Do? I Die! (D'yos Ko Day!) | Efren "Loging" Jarlego | ||
| Batang PX | Jose Javier Reyes | ||
| Calvento Files: The Movie | Laurenti Dyogi Michael de Mesa | ||
| Wanted Perfect Murder | Boots Plata | ||
| Amanos, Patas ang Laban | Francis "Jun" Posadas | ||
| Flames: The Movie | Jerry Lopez-Sineneng Khryss Adalia | ||
| Hanggang Kailan Kita Mamahalin? | Olivia M. Lamasan | ||
| Wala Ka Nang Puwang sa Mundo | Ronn-Rick | ||
| Ipaglaban Mo: The Movie II | Rory B. Quintos | ||
| Kokey | Romy V. Suzara | ||
| Ikaw Pala ang Mahal Ko | Jose Javier Reyes | ||
| 1998 | Haba-Baba-Doo! Puti-Puti-Poo! | Efren "Loging" Jarlego | |
| Kung Ayaw Mo, Huwag Mo! | Jerry Lopez Sineneng | ||
| April, May, June | Manny Castañeda | ||
| Muling Ibalik ang Tamis ng Pag-ibig | Boots Plata | ||
| Nagbibinata | Jose Javier Reyes | ||
| Dahil Mahal Na Mahal Kita | Wenn V. Deramas | ||
| Labs Kita, Okey Ka Lang? | Jerry Lopez Sineneng | ||
| Lualhati Bautista's Bata, Bata... Paano Ka Ginawa? | Chito S. Roño | ||
| Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay | Rory B. Quintos | ||
| Magandang Hatinggabi | Laurenti Dyogi | ||
| Hiling | Jose Javier Reyes | ||
| 1999 | Type Kita... Walang Kokontra | Toto Natividad | |
| Mula sa Puso | Wenn V. Deramas | ||
| 'Di Puwedeng Hindi Puwede! | Francis "Jun" Posadas | with Rose L. Flaminiano | |
| Wansapanataym | Johnny Manahan | ||
| Isusumbong Kita sa Tatay Ko... | Boots Plata | ||
| Soltera | Jerry Lopez Sineneng | ||
| Alyas Pogi: Ang Pagbabalik | Joey del Rosario | ||
| Hey Babe! | Joyce Bernal | ||
| Suspek | Toto Natividad | ||
| Oo Na... Mahal Na Kung Mahal | Johnny Manahan | ||
| Tar-San | Efren "Lodging" Jarlego | ||
| Esperanza | Jerry Lopez Sineneng | ||
| 2000 | Minsan, Minahal Kita | Olivia M. Lamasan | |
| Tunay Na Tunay: Gets Mo? Gets Ko! | Bb. Joyce Bernal | ||
Television
| Year | Title | Credited as | Notes | Ref(s). |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991–2020 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Supervising producer | ||
| 1998–1999 | Sa Sandaling Kailangan Mo Ako | Executive-in-charge of production | ||
| 2000–2002 | Pangako sa 'Yo | Executive-in-charge of production | ||
| 2002–2003 | Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay | Executive-in-charge of production | ||
| 2005 | Kampanerang Kuba | Executive-in-charge of production | ||
| 2006–2007 | Maging Sino Ka Man | Executive-in-charge of production | ||
| 2007 | Maria Flordeluna | Executive-in-charge of production | ||
| 2007–2008 | Ysabella | Executive-in-charge of production | ||
| 2008 | Lobo | Executive-in-charge of production | ||
| 2008 | Kahit Isang Saglit | Executive-in-charge of production | ||
| 2009 | Only You | Executive-in-charge of production | ||
| 2009–2010 | Dahil May Isang Ikaw | Executive-in-charge of production | ||
| 2009–2010 | Lovers in Paris | Executive-in-charge of production | ||
| 2010 | Magkaribal | Executive-in-charge of production | ||
| 2010–2011 | Imortal | Executive-in-charge of production | ||
| 2011 | Guns and Roses | Executive-in-charge of production | ||
| 2013–2014 | Got to Believe | Executive-in-charge of production | ||
| 2014–2015 | Forevermore | Executive-in-charge of production | ||
| 2015–2016 | Pangako sa 'Yo | Executive-in-charge of production | ||
| 2015–2016 | You're My Home | Executive-in-charge of production | ||
| 2016 | Dolce Amore | Executive-in-charge of production | ||
| 2016 | The Story of Us | Executive-in-charge of production | ||
| 2017 | A Love to Last | Executive-in-charge of production | ||
| 2017–2018 | Pusong Ligaw | Executive-in-charge of production | ||
| 2017–2018 | La Luna Sangre | Executive-in-charge of production | ||
| 2018 | Bagani | Executive-in-charge of production | ||
| 2018–2019 | Ngayon at Kailanman | Executive-in-charge of production | ||
Discography
As executive producer
- Timeless, Piolo Pascual (2007)
- Para Lang sa 'Yo, Aiza Seguerra (2007)
- A Little Too Perfect, Sam Milby (2007)
- Charice, Charice Pempengco/Jake Zyrus (EP; 2008)
Accolades
| Year | Award-giving body | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 10th Gawad CCP Awards | Ten Outstanding TV Programs | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Won | [24] |
| 2013 | The Philippine Quill Awards 2013 | Communication Excellence in Organizations | Won | [23] | |
References
- 1 2 Lo, Ricky (February 4, 2017). "For love of Malou". Philstar.com. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
- ↑ Lo, Ricky (February 23, 2007). "Malou Santos, Golden Girl". Philstar.com. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Bautista, Mary Ann A. (June 30, 2001). "Malou Santos produces films with power and heart". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Vol. 16, no. 202. p. C6. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
- ↑ Japitana, Norma (June 22, 1994). "Channel 2 has new woman director". Manila Standard. Vol. VIII, no. 128. Kamahalan Publishing Corporation. p. 21. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
- 1 2 Rodrigo, Raul (2006). Kapitan: Geny Lopez and the Making of ABS-CBN. ABS-CBN Publishing, Inc. p. 380. ISBN 978-971-816-111-1. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
Charo [Santos-Concio] and Malou [Santos] (then head of production) brought in their old producing colleague Simon Ongpin, who became managing director for a few years. [...] When Simon left, Malou became managing director
- 1 2 "Viva exec joins Star Cinema". Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp. September 28, 1997. p. 20. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
He [Eugenio Lopez III] stressed managing director Malou Santos, who has spearheaded the company's progress over the years, would continue to play a pivotal role in the company[...]
- 1 2 Paglicawan, MC Richard (December 16, 2017). "Direk Olivia Lamasan replaces Malou Santos as the managing director of Star Cinema". LionhearTV. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
- ↑ "ABS-CBN appoints award-winning director Olive Lamasan as new Star Cinema head". Adobo Magazine. Manila: Sanserif Inc. January 30, 2018. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
- ↑ Pareja, Lena S. (March–August 2001). "Women Directors in Philippine Cinema". Pelikula. 3 (1). Quezon City: University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication Foundation: 41.
- ↑ Red, Isah V. (July 21, 1999). "Is Elizabeth over Danny?". Manila Standard. Vol. XIII, no. 158. Kamahalan Publishing Corporation. p. 22. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
- ↑ Red, Isah V. (June 8, 1999). "Star Cinema turns six, claims market dominance". Manila Standard. Vol. XIII, no. 115. p. 22. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
In the red for most of the previous years, the surprising performance of the films it released inched the fledgling movie production affiliate of the network giant in the black.
- ↑ "Star Cinema shone through in Year 2000". Philstar.com. February 6, 2001. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
Filipinos trooped to the box office to make the film [Minsan, Minahal Kita] one of the industry's top five earners, pushing Star Records' soundtrack album to double platinum[...]
- ↑ Salut, Eric John (March 12, 2003). "Title na Box Office King ni Aga kinokontesta ng mga fans ni Rico Yan". Pilipino Star Ngayon (in Filipino). Retrieved May 7, 2026.
Ayon sa mga ito, bakit daw hindi si Rico [Yan] ang tinanghal na Box Office King considering na ang Got 2 Believe ang highest grossing movie last year?
- ↑ Ricardo, Althea Lauren (January 23, 2007). "A marriage doomed to fail". Philstar.com. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
[...] but then I read that Star Cinema's Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo did indeed surpass the box office earnings of MMFF Best Picture winner Enteng Kabisote[...]
- ↑ Zafra, Jessica (2008). "How Television Ate the Movies: Philippine Cinema in 2007". Far East Film Festival. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
Consider the number one Filipino movie of the year (number four overall), a romantic comedy called One More Chance.
- ↑ Villena, Glenda (February 21, 2011). "Marvin: Happy reunion in ABS-CBN". Yahoo News. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023.
Its second chapter, which was released in the 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival, "Tanging Ina N'yong Lahat," eclipsed its predecessor, raking in P197 million.
- ↑ Torre, Nestor U. (January 22, 2000). "FPJ forever". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Vol. 15, no. 45. p. E2. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
The movie [Isusumbong Kita sa Tatay Ko] ended up setting a new attendance record and [Fernando Poe Jr.] was firmly in the driver's seat again.
- ↑ Lauzon, Lucenio Martin L. (February 2004). "UP Film Institute Filmography of Films 2003" (PDF). Plaridel. 1 (1): 116. doi:10.52518/2004.1.1-13lzncygn. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
For one, the year's [2003] champion at the tills was a Star Cinema family comedy, Ang Tanging Ina, which toppled the previous record set in 2000 by Anak[...]
- ↑ Gonzalez, Bianca (October 2, 2011). "10 things you should know about Kris Aquino". Philstar.com. Manila, Philippines: Philstar Global Corp. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
...making it [Sukob] the second highest grossing Filipino film of all time (next to You Changed My Life, which made P215 million).
- ↑ "Praybeyt Benjamin is now PH's highest grossing film; rakes in P320 million in 20 days". SPOT.ph. Summit Digital. November 15, 2011. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
- ↑ Mendoza, Ruel (May 28, 2013). "Movie nina Sarah at John Lloyd naka-410M: It Takes a Man and a Woman pinataob na ang Sisterakas!" [Sarah and John Lloyd's movie earned 410-M: It Takes a Man and a Woman now overturns Sisterakas!]. Pilipino Star Ngayon (in Filipino). Manila, Philippines: Philstar Global Corp. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
- ↑ Rappler.com (December 20, 2015). "'A Second Chance' is the all-time highest grossing Filipino film". Rappler. Manila, Philippines: Rappler Inc. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
- 1 2 "Malou Santos named Chief Operating Officer of ABS-CBN's Star Creatives". PEP.ph. February 12, 2016. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
- ↑ Teodoro, Luis V. Teodoro (2001). "Recognition and Reward, Corruption and Repression". Sanghaya: Philippine Arts and Culture Yearbook. 1 (1). National Commission for Culture and the Arts: 103. ISSN 1655-1796.