Anthony ‘Ka Tunying’ Taberna has long cemented his reputation as a hard-hitting commentator on radio and television. When he left ABS-CBN in 2020, he didn’t abandon that trademark style; he simply brought it to new platforms, including social media, where his fearless takes continue to draw massive attention.
His straightforward commentaries have earned him a loyal following—people who appreciate his no-nonsense approach to issues.
Then again, they’ve also earned him harsh critics.
Asked how he deals with the seeming nonstop stream of brickbats thrown against him by haters, Ka Tunying simply shrugged.
“Okay lang mga ‘yan sa akin, kasama sa trabaho natin ’yan,” he said with an easy smile. “Bumubwelta naman din tayo paminsan-minsan, pero ’yung masaya lang.”
He clarified one thing firmly: “Wala akong sinasabi na hindi totoo, peke o ’yung tinatawag na fake news. I stand by my reports.”
But if there’s one line that truly gets crossed, it’s when critics drag his family into the fray. The attacks hurled at his daughter on social media still sting.
“That’s foul,” he stressed.
Ka Tunying and his wife, former broadcast journalist Rossel Velasco, share two daughters—Zoey and Helga. Together, they also built Ka Tunying’s Café and helm several ventures under The Taberna Group of Companies (TGC), which includes Kumbachero Food Corporation, Taste of the Town Catering, and Outbox Media Powerhouse Corp.
Recently, TGC gathered its business and media partners for Kasama, Kasalo, Pasasalamat: TGC Partner’s Appreciation Day, a thanksgiving event celebrating collaboration and shared growth.
“Siyempre masaya tayo dahil natapos na naman ang isang taon na nakapagbigay tayo ng serbisyo at saya sa maraming tao through our businesses,” Ka Tunying said. “Yun naman ang layunin natin e, ang makatulong sa nakararami.”
Rossel, fondly called Mrs. T, added, “We lead and serve with puso.”
The celebration underscored TGC’s mission to build not just brands, but a home rooted in gratitude, a “Communi-T” grounded in faith, humility, and genuine service.
“We are a work in progress,” Mrs. T continued. “Gusto naming pagbutihin ang kalidad ng produkto, palakasin ang mga empleyado, empower them to become leaders in their own way.”
As for politics? We got a firm no from Ka Tunying.
“Ang dami ng offer sa akin mula noon pa—18 years ago pa—but hindi natin gusto ’yan. Okay na ako kung saan ako ngayon.”
