Anthony Taberna

Antonio "Anthony" Talens Taberna Jr. (born January 16, 1975), is a Filipino broadcast journalist.

At ABS-CBN, Taberna hosted television and radio programs covering news and public affairs. He is a former host of Umagang Kay Ganda (where he gained popularity in the segment "Punto por Punto") and XXX: Exklusibong, Explosibong, Exposé. As a radio anchor, Taberna is one of the lead anchors for Dos por Dos alongside Gerry Baja. He is also the former anchor of Iba-Balita and Mano Mano of Studio 23 and later News plus on S+A.

Early life and education Antonio 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. His father died on August 18, 2002, after a period of ill health. His mother, Benita Talens Taberna, only finished her elementary education. On July 31, 2020, Taberna left ABS-CBN due to the ABS-CBN franchise renewal controversy when the Philippine Congress rejected the new legislative franchise of the network and he subsequently joined Manila Broadcasting Company's AM radio station DZRH in August 2020 and his show Dos por Dos moved to the station and resumed airing on August 31. On September 6, 2022, Taberna joined All TV and would host the television program Kuha All!.

Personal life Taberna is married to former broadcast journalist Rossel Velasco, and they have two daughters named Zoey and Helga Taberna.

The couple are the owners of Ka Tunying's Cafe. The first branch of their coffee shop opened at Visayas Avenue in Quezon City and later expanded into other areas.

Controversies Iglesia Ni Cristo controversy In August 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 controversy surrounding the founding family of Iglesia ni Cristo (INC). Taberna was one of the personalities who appeared in the INC members' assembly in EDSA in August 2015.

Remarks on rape victim On February 19, 2018, a news report aired on Umagang Kay Ganda about a 19-year-old girl allegedly gang-raped after meeting up with men she chatted with online. In the background, Taberna's voice can be heard saying:

Co-host Jeff Canoy tried to deflect and reminded viewers that blame should always be placed on the rapists. Taberna, however, maintained his position on the issue:

Taberna issued an apology on February 21, 2018, claiming that it was not his intention to blame the victim.

Fake news peddling In 2021, Taberna, while criticizing senator Kiko Pangilinan and vice president Leni Robredo, publicly stated that new infrastructures recently opened by the government were projects of president Rodrigo Duterte. It was later revealed that the said projects were in fact projects of the previous administration of president Noynoy Aquino.

In October 2025, amid the flood control project controversy investigations, Taberna falsely claimed that senator Risa Hontiveros illegally inserted billions of pesos in the 2025 budget. His claim was afterwards utilized by Duterte trolls and vloggers to spread fake news against Hontiveros. Respected veteran journalists in the Philippines criticized Taberna's claims. Hontiveros has denied any bicameral insertions. Verified documents showed that Hontiveros was actually one of only two senators in the 19th Congress who voted "no" to the 2025 bicameral budget report, which was largely supported by pro-Duterte senators, refuting Taberna's claims. Taberna later recanted his claims, stating that he never said Hontiveros was corrupt, adding that Duterte supporters misrepresented his statements. Public investigations later revealed that Taberna was the first celebrity endorser of Stronghold Insurance Corp., where its director was the wife of pro-Duterte senator Rodante Marcoleta, and the insurance provider of the flood control project controversy-linked Discaya family.

Filmography Television Year Title Role 1997–2020 TV Patrol Senior correspondent 2000–2007 Alas Singko Y Medya/Magandang Umaga Bayan/Magandang Umaga, Pilipinas Host/Anchor 2007–2020 Umagang Kay Ganda Host 2007–present Dos por Dos Co-host 2008–2009 Kalye: Mga Kwento ng Lansangan Host 2010–2013 XXX: Exklusibong, Explosibong, Exposé Host 2010–2014 Iba-Balita Anchor 2011–2013 Ako Ang Simula Host 2012–2013 Pinoy True Stories – Demandahan Host Mano Mano Host 2013–2019 Tapatan ni Tunying Host 2014 News plus Anchor 2017 Wildflower Debate host 2018–2019 Pareng Partners Co-host 2019–2020 Kuha Mo! Host 2022–2024 Kuha All! Host

Radio Year Title Role 1999–2002 Ito ang Radyo Patrol Host 2000–present Dos por Dos Co-anchor 2001–2007 Gising Pilipinas Anchor