Before Anthony “Ka Tunying” Taberna became a household name in Philippine media, he was a struggling college student from Nueva Ecija trying to make ends meet in Manila. At just 17 years old, he took his first step into the world of broadcasting—not as an anchor, but as a part-time news writer.
“I was in second year college at the New Era University,” Taberna recalls. “Wala po akong financial support na I could get from my parents kasi ang tatay ko ay nabaldado ng stroke. My dad was a bus driver, at yung nanay ko naman ay plain housewife lang.”
With his father’s illness and his family’s limited means, Taberna had to fend for himself early on. He moved to Metro Manila with support from his siblings during his first year in college, but by the second year, he was completely on his own. “Kailangan sariling sikap ko na,” he says.
He was able to secure an academic scholarship, but that only covered part of his needs. “Kahit libre, kulang pa din,” he explains. So he looked for work—and almost ended up serving at Jollibee. “Actually, I applied for a job as a server sa Jollibee,” he says. “Kaya lang during that time, nalaman ko na may opening sa isang radio station na part-time writer, newswriter. So nag-apply ako… napunta po ako sa broadcasting.”
It was a twist of fate that would define the rest of his life. Though he didn’t initially set out to become a broadcaster, he quickly found his place. “That was the time na tingin ko hindi ko naman gusto yung broadcasting nung umpisa,” Taberna says. “Pero nung napasok na ko dyan, nung naririnig ko nang binabasa ng announcer yung isinulat ko—sarap ng pakiramdam.”
At just 19 years old, Taberna found himself anchoring the news. “Naga-anchor ako pag wala pong announcer,” he says. “Ako ang nagbabasa ng balita… akala nila matanda na ko eh, so sa boses lang ibinatay.”
While pursuing his Mass Communication degree, he also supported his family, sending money back home to Nueva Ecija. “Breadwinner po ako… yung sweldo ko padala sa probinsya,” he says. That meant school took a backseat. “I was supposed to graduate in 1995, pero kinuha ko po yung MassCom ng sampung taon.”
Then came the turning point. In 1996, ABS-CBN was looking for new radio reporters for DZMM. Taberna hesitated—out of loyalty to Eagle Broadcasting, where he had trained—but a heartbreaking visit from his grandmother changed everything.
“One day, dumating po yung lola ko, sabi niya, ‘Ang nanay mo nasa bahay sa amin kanina, sa Nueva Ecija. Nanghihiram sila ng bigas…’ Alam mo naiyak ako,” he says. “Sabi ko, what am I doing here? Kahit nakakapagbigay man ako, kulang din sa kanila.”
That same day, he accepted ABS-CBN’s offer. On March 31, 1997, Anthony Taberna reported for duty at DZMM. It was the beginning of a storied career.
His sharp wit and relatable delivery landed him a spot on the radio show Dos Por Dos, and by 2005, he had crossed over to television. “Ayun, dun na nag-umpisa yung TV career ko,” he says.
Today, Anthony Taberna is known across the country as a seasoned journalist, TV host, and respected voice in public affairs. From writing news scripts in a radio station to becoming one of the Philippines’ most recognizable anchors, his rise has been anything but easy—but it’s a journey built on grit, purpose, and unwavering dedication to his family.
And it all started at 17, with a pen, a voice—and the will to survive.
This article includes quotes from an interview originally published by Esquire Philippines, authored by Henry Ong.
