Anthony Taberna

Anthony "Tunying" Taberna (born Antonio Talens Taberna Jr.; January 16, 1975), also known as Ka Tunying, is a Tagalog broadcast journalist and radio commentator.

At ABS-CBN, Taberna has hosted television and radio programs covering news and public affairs. He is one of the hosts of Umagang Kay Ganda (where he gained popularity in the segment "Punto por Punto") and XXX: Exklusibong, Explosibong, Exposé (from 2010 until the show ended, replacing Alex Santos). As a DZMM radio anchor, Taberna is one of the lead anchors for Dos Por Dos, a daily late afternoon show, along with Gerry Baja. He is also the former anchor of Iba-Balita and Mano Mano former in Studio 23, and later News+ in ABS-CBN Sports+Action.

Early life and education

Anthony Talens Taberna Jr. was born on January 16, 1975, in San Antonio, Nueva Ecija, the fourth of seven children. His father, Antonio Taberna Sr., was a provincial bus driver in Manila who only finished his education up until high school. Taberna's father died on August 18, 2002 after a period of ill health.His mother, Benita Talens Taberna, only finished her elementary education.

Career

Taberna started his career as a part-time news writer in 1992 at DZEC, operated by Eagle Broadcasting Corporation. In 1997, he transferred to DZMM, an AM radio station owned by ABS-CBN, where he became a Radyo Patrol reporter. In January 2000, he joined Gerry Baja in "Ito Ang Radyo Patrol" (lit. This is Radio Patrol). The tandem then moved on to Gising Pilipinas in 2002, before they were given their own show, "Dos Por Dos" (lit. Two by Two), which airs late every afternoon.

As a television host, Taberna was featured on the morning show Magandang Umaga, Pilipinas and in the documentary program Kalye: Mga Kwento ng Lansangan. Taberna has been widely criticized for his misogyny, homophobia, and rape victim-blaming on live television. A campaign to remove him from his position due to his bad ethics was met by opposition from Taberna's employer company, ABS-CBN.

Personal life

Taberna is married to former broadcast journalist Rossel Velasco, and they have two daughters named Zoey and Helga Taberna. He is a member of Iglesia ni Cristo. During the 2015 Iglesia ni Cristo leadership controversy, Taberna's coffee shop was shot up by 3 unknown men. Taberna supported the administration of Rodrigo Duterte.

Cafe Bakery Business

Taberna and his wife Rossel Velasco are the current business owners of the coffee shop-bakery-restaurant Ka Tunying's Cafe.

The food products and meals of Ka Tunying's Cafe are breads (such as Cheese Danish, Cinnamon Rolls, Coffee Bun, Croissant, Raisin Bonnete, Spanish Bread, Pandesal and Pan de Coco) and all-day Filipino breakfast favorites (such as Arroz Caldo, Champorado, Longganisa Batutay (from his hometown Nueva Ecija), Chicken Tocino, Beef Tapa and Bangus). They also serve hot coffee or hot chocolate as a beverage for breakfast.

The first branch of his coffee shop is located at Visayas Avenue in Quezon City.

The Taberna family have also openedadditional branches of their coffee shop due to its popularity. The additional branches of Ka Tunying's are located at NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City, SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City and Clark International Airport in Pampanga.

Iglesia Ni Cristo Controversies

On August 30, 2015, Anthony Taberna announced that he will take a leave of absence from his two shows on ABS-CBN,citing "conflict of interest" due to the ongoing controversy surrounding the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC). Taberna is one of the personalities surfaced in the recent INC members' peaceful assembly in EDSA last August 30.

Taberna's Remarks on Rape Victim

On February 19, 2018, In the video, a news report of a 19-year-old girl was delivered; she was allegedly gang-raped after meeting up with someone she was chatting with online.

In the background, however, Anthony Taberna’s voice can be heard, saying:

"This is just remarkable. It’s not the first time that this happened. There have been so many incidents like this of eyeball meet-ups. What’s more dangerous is you not only go to that eyeball meet-up, you even went out for a drink. That’s the problem, that’s the hardest of all, especially since you’re drinking out with an all-male group."

Taberna, however, didn’t stop there. Seemingly cutting off Jeff Canoy, Taberna responded that in truth, women shouldn’t put themselves in dangerous situations.

"No. The truth is it’s easy to say that to men. Excuse me in so far as the victim is concerned, the one who must be given justice. But this should be a (warning) for future incidents. If you’re a woman, don’t enter a hole of evil-doers."