While celebrating their daughter Zoey’s full recovery from cancer, broadcaster Anthony “Ka Tunying” Taberna and his wife, businesswoman Rossel Taberna, talked candidly about choosing peace in the face of public criticism.
The couple addressed their critics during a meeting with entertainment journalists in Quezon City on Thursday. They said that criticism has become a part of their lives, especially when it comes to voicing opinions that some people find objectionable.
“Kaming mag-anak, nag-uusap kami. Every night, mayroon kaming prayer, family hour. At nag-uusap kami. Naiintindihan ng mga bata na occupational hazard natin ‘to eh na kapag may sinabi ka, may matutuwa sa ‘yo at may magagalit sa ‘yo. Unang-una, huwag pumatol. Sabi ko, ako lang ang may karapatang pumatol. Kasi naiintindihan ko ‘yung issue na ‘yun. Pangalawa, siyempre, nagpi-pray talaga kami,” Anthony said.
For her part, Rossel disclosed that she chooses inner peace by reading criticism aimed at them but never reacting.
“Inuunawa ko po sila. Never po akong pumatol. In fact, when I feel like it’s polluted and noisy, bina-block ko po. Hindi po ako nagre-react. I’m just grateful sa recovery ni Zoey. Sinusuportahan po namin si Zoey kasi naaapektuhan din po siya. Bata po siya. Naaapektuhan — emotionally. Hindi po ako nagko-comment,” She told reporters in the Showbiz.
“Ang haba na po ulit ng hair niya,” the female entrepreneur said with joy that her daughter Zoey had overcome cancer. She is fully recovered. She has returned to her studies.
She added, thanking God for her daughter’s recovery, “Lahat po ng ito ay bonus na lang — nabuhay ‘yung anak namin, nabigyan ng another chance in life. Magde-debut na po siya next year. Grateful lang po kami. Kahit ano pa pong pagdaanan naming mga pagsubok, doon tayo sa pagiging grateful.”
When asked by ABS-CBN News, the couple also discussed how they would describe their 2025.
After her daughter’s health scare in 2025, Ka Tunying is grateful for a healthy family and encourages others to prioritize peace of mind over money.
