Rossel as busy as Ka Tunying

MANILA, Philippines — A lot of people probably think that Rossel Velasco-Taberna, wife of journalist Anthony “Ka Tunying” Taberna, is just sitting pretty in their family abode with daughters Zoey and Helga while waiting for the padre de pamilya to come home from anchoring duties in ABS-CBN. It certainly is a misconception.

In an interview with The STAR, Rossel revealed she is equally busy in terms of handling their businesses. For those not familiar, the couple owns Ka Tunying’s Café (which has seven branches at present with another one opening in November at the SM North EDSA) and Outbox Media Powerhouse Corporation. Thus, her timetable is full Mondays to Saturdays. But Rossel is not complaining. She is used to the hectic work life, thanks to her short but sweet days in front of the cameras of GMA 7 as part of StarStruck Season 4, where Kris Bernal and Aljur Abrenica were named grand winners, and Michael V’s Bitoy’s Funniest Videos.

Rossel’s showbiz career got rudely interrupted, if not went kaput, when she married and her priorities started to change. “But, I still do commercials whenever there are offers like for example as a mother or (to endorse a) product kasi s’yempre maganda rin yung may diversion; na may iba kang ginagawa, makakasama mo ‘yung mga dati mong kasama at paminsan-minsan na raket. It’s a nice feeling to have those kinds of opportunities but, of course, if they would with a business opportunity, then I have to attend first to the business.”  

Her accepting occasional rakets is also fine with Ka Tunying. “He’s happy and very proud whenever he sees that I have my share of exposure. Besides, there would be no competition between us since we are in different fields,” said Rossel.

Still, she couldn’t deny how hectic their schedules are. While Ka Tunying often does field work for his shows, Rossel has to take care of the kids before going out of the house to mind the sales and marketing side of their café and attend to her commitments for Outbox. 

With husband Anthony, daughters Helga and Zoey (leftmost), and Cornerstone artists Kyla, Jayda Avanzado, Radha, Liezel Garcia and Angeline Quinto

“Our most sacred day is Sunday when we devote our time to church duties. Anthony teaches children in the church, our daughters are both in the choir while I am in the finance (side) of our church. Sunday is also our family bonding time and sometimes if there’s a long weekend, we go on a vacation with our two girls.”

Speaking of her daughters, Zoey and Helga are the front acts in Outbox Media’s 12th anniversary concert titled Limitless: Empowered women, Empower Women on Sept. 7 at the Metrotent Convention Center in Pasig City. Zoey and Helga are set to open the show with a song-and-dance number. The former will also have a duet with Jayda Avanzado, one of the main concert performers.

Outbox Media partners with Cornerstone to make this benefit concert a memorable night not just for the audience but also for the chosen beneficiaries. The audience will be in for an electrifying evening with the live performances of Cornerstone artists Angeline Quinto, Kyla, Radha, Liezel Garcia and Jayda. 

Asked why women empowerment is the concept for the Outbox Media anniversary celebration, Rossel said that it aims to honor empowered women, especially the SPED teachers of Antipolo City Sped Center who have dedicated their lives to teaching over 250 kids with different disabilities (deaf, mute and blind).

“Through the proceeds of the concert, we will donate new chairs, tables and disaster equipment to make the school more conducive to learning,” she added.

Outbox will also help visually-impaired siblings Alice and Alma Corsanes who, despite their condition, continue to persevere in life. “We will be providing computer units for them so they can work even at home.”

In this day and age, Rossel believes women are equal with, if not more ahead than men. “We can say that whatever men can do, can also be achieved by women.”

(Limitless: Empowered Women, Empower Women is presented by Foton Motors Philippines, San Miguel Corp., Sta. Elena Devt. & Construction Corp., Palayan City Business Hub, Petrol Jeans, Waterfront Hotel, Hotel Sogo, Acacia Hotel, Bounty Fresh Chooks To Go, Eurotel, Oishi, New San Jose Builders, P.A. Properties, Megasoft, Chinese General Hospital, Rite N Lite, Ferna, Jc Premier, King Cup Sardines, Courbe, Phoenix, Grab, Uratex and Crossover FM 105.1.)