Charo Santos-Concio rarely seems out of place, yet even the former ABS-CBN president and industry icon found herself thrown off balance—by none other than her director.

"In one of the scenes, Direk Irene [Villamor] couldn’t hold back and screamed at me," Santos shared with a chuckle.

"'Ano ba, Ma’am Charo? Hindi ka dito, Ma’am Charo!'" she recounted.

"Sinisigawan ka na, ano pa bang gagawin mo?" The director’s voice rang in her ears: "Ma’am Charo, hindi ka dito takot na babae — matapang ka dito. You are Betty!"

That pivotal moment became a turning point for Santos, who stars as Betty in Only We Know, an upcoming romantic drama opposite Kapuso leading man Dingdong Dantes.

"I took a deep breath and told myself, 'Step up to the plate, Charo!'" she said, embracing the raw vulnerability and unexpected grit demanded by the role.

Directed by Irene Villamor — known for carving deeply intimate, unvarnished portraits of love — Only We Know charts the emotional odyssey of Betty and Ryan, played by Dantes, as they navigate a relationship shaped by time, circumstance, and memory. It is, in the words of Santos, “an unconventional love story. It defies the traditional definition of falling in love.”

The film also sees Santos exploring new territory, both onscreen and off. “She did a lot of firsts in this movie,” Villamor said, noting that the veteran actress even got tipsy on camera after drinking with Dantes for one scene. Another memorable challenge came during a camping sequence where emotional authenticity had to be coaxed out under unpredictable outdoor conditions.

“Sa mga artista, mahirap mag-hit ng spot kung paano sila mag-o-open up, paano ilalabas yung pain?” Villamor reflected.

The extended trailer, already sparking curiosity among fans, hints at philosophical undertones as Betty asks, "Do you think we only get one — one great love and that’s it?"

Neither Santos nor Dantes has confirmed if the film includes intimate scenes, but both insist that what will truly grip audiences is the emotional core of the story.

For Santos, Only We Know is not just another project in her storied career — it’s a leap into unfamiliar terrain. With a director unafraid to challenge her and a role that strips her of poise to reveal passion, fear, and resilience, Santos proves once again that great actresses never stop evolving.

Only We Know opens in cinemas nationwide on 11 June.