The Tabernas' many reasons to celebrate

POPULAR broadcast journalist Anthony “Ka Tunying” Taberna is truly one lucky man. Besides suffering the pandemic’s blows on his career and other business endeavors, he and his family were gripped with fear over the last two years as his eldest daughter Zoey bravely battled leukemia.

Officially cancer-free following extensive treatments in Singapore, where the Tabernas relocated for six months this year, the head of the family fittingly concluded this most challenging time in their lives with his wife Roselle, Zoey, youngest daughter Helga and he, gathering family and friends at a thanksgiving party last Sunday.

Expressing deep gratitude for the overwhelming outpouring of love and support – even from Filipinos around the world who kept vigil throughout Zoey’s medical ordeal – Taberna likewise acknowledged the many other blessings he received amid the toughest storm his family has had to endure.

First, Taberna recalled how, despite the shutdown of his home network in 2020, he quickly found his second wind on digital as he started his career as a YouTuber. The digital space, in fact, opened more opportunities for his “kumbacheros” to tune in to his shows on demand.

Since then, the former DZMM idol could hardly believe that his Facebook followers swelled to 2.2 million, with his YouTube Channel breaching the 500 thousand mark.

“Nasa Tiktok na rin po tayo,” Taberna, in his ever humble and deferential trademark manner of speaking, chuckled, still unable to believe his luck.

He then looked to the men and women behind his Taberna Group of Companies (TGP), who patiently stayed the course when the pandemic shut every other entity down.

“Nahinto din po ang ating Ka Tunying’s restaurants at ang ating events and multimedia company Outbox Media Powerhouse Corporation,”

Taberna acknowledged.

But, taking from the thanksgiving party’s theme, “Press Play,”TGC and its leaders showed partners and guests how innovating and adapting to a new reality helped them move forward.

Outbox Media initially led the way with a successful shift to producing hybrid events, content creation and digital advertisements not long after the pandemic relegated everyone to their homes.

Taberna gave his wife full credit for the transition, for it is remarkable, indeed, how Rossel conscientiously juggled her responsibilities as Outbox managing director and chief operating officer while worrying and giving primary care to Zoey.

Ultimately, the thanksgiving party witnessed the resurgence not only of the strong Taberna family but the birth of a reinvented TGC.

Jointly marking TGC’s 16th anniversary and Rossel’s birthday that same night, there was no better time to unveil the spin-offs of Ka Tunying’s restaurants. First is Catering by KT, which found its breakthrough in the corporate scene via business-to-business accounts, bringing its “Panlasang Pinoy”trademark straight to the desks and doorsteps of Geely and Foton employees, including several government agencies.

To keep more jobs running across his restaurants through the strictest quarantine period, Ka Tunying also doubled its efforts in partnering with some of the biggest names in retail, where the brand’s delectable bread and pastries continue to be available.

“Nasa All-Day Supermarkets, Divimarts, Puregold and Mini Stop po all over Luzon ang ating mga baked goods,” Taberna elaborated.

And so, with his digital channel, Outbox Media and Ka Tunying’s steady growth – and most importantly, everyone in his family in good health — it is no wonder the Tabernas’ are consumed by gratitude to God, their employees, and so many others who believed in them and never left their side.

A very emotional gathering from start to finish, trust Taberna’s ever-playful side to conclude the celebration on a high and happy note.

As his mascot image appeared on stage, he played a brand new jingle for his Tune In Kay Tunying YouTube Channel to everyone’s delight.

Specially composed by YouTube sensation Ben Barubal, the jingle cleverly conveys significant facts about Taberna and how his YouTube channel has greatly impacted the public, who deserve timely information and entertainment from what they watch.

After his life’s most challenging ordeal, what can Taberna say to people dealing with business and personal problems all at once?”

“Ang unang-una po ay manalangin po tayo sa Panginoong Diyos. Kasi, katulad po ng sakit, maaaring may magaling na doktor,

maaaring may magaling na technology, magaling na gamot, poero lahat po ng iyan ang Diyos naman ang gumagamit niyan. Yan po ang number one.

“At kapag tayo’y nanghingi ng kagalingan sa Panginoong Diyos, dapat walang kahit na katiting na reservation sa atin. Dumating po yung point na akala ko, mawawala na po yung anak ko pero

pinalakas namin lalo ang pananampalataya sa kanya at Diyos pa rin po ang tumulong sa lahat.”

Anthony Taberna’s shows are available via Tune in Kay Tunying’s Facebook, YouTube and Tiktok channels, while the broadcaster’s “Dos por Dos” AM radio program with Gerry Baja now airing from 6 to 8 a.m. weekdays on DZRH.