Anthony Taberna, of the ABS-CBN news and public affairs department, admits he has a long way to go to be at par with the big names of the broadcast industry.
He is thankful, however, that his skill was recognized by the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) in its recent Star Awards for TV, where he was hailed as the Best Male Newscaster.
At a press conference prepared for him by his network's Studio 23, Anthony jokes that he might just have been lucky.
"Talagang 'ika nga nila, bahag na buntot ko," he tells the media interviewing him.
"Kumbaga, paano ka naman makikipagkumpitensya sa mga malalaking pangalan?
"Pero may tinatawag pong lucky charm, e.
"Kahit sa boxing, mayroon ding tinatawag na silat. Nakasilat siguro tayo.
"May kasamang swerte, may kasamang panalangin, at higit sa lahat, mayroon pong kasamang pagtitiwala."
Aside from luck, Anthony also believes that his 19 years of experience have helped prove his worth in this industry.
"Hindi lang naman po basta isinalpak 'yan.
"Kasi, mayroon naman tayong at least, kung nagsimula ako noong 1992 sa propesyon na ito, nineteen years of experience na pwede kong ipagmalaki sa pagiging journalist."
He jests, "Nineteen years na po ako sa industriya. Hindi lang po halata dahil nga gwapo po ako at saka bata po akong tingnan."
Anthony also notes, "Sa ilang pagkakataon po, napatunayan na rin natin na kaya ko pong magpaputok ng balita, maging credible at kapani-paniwala sa mga kababayan natin."
THE START OF HIS CAREER. Anthony's career in broadcasting started when he became an intern, writing news for an AM station.
He recalls, "Kailangan ko pong maka-survive sa pag-aaral sa New Era University.
"Kailangan ko pong maghanap ng trabaho. Nag-apply po ako ng part-time writer.
"Pagkatapos po ay nasanay na akong mag-produce ng balita.
"Binigyan po akong ng tsansang maging reporter.
"Binigyan din po ako ng tsansang maging announcer."
Five years after that, Anthony says, "Ako po ay pinirata ng ABS-CBN."
At the Kapamilya network, he became one of the youngest field reporters of Radyo Patrol.
In 2005, he made his first appearance on television via ABS-CBN's morning talk show, Umagang Kay Ganda.
Last year, he was finally given his own show, Iba Balita, which is an evening news program of Studio 23.
BECOMING OPINIONATED. Unlike other news programs, Iba Balita also gives its opinion on current issues in the country.
This did not become a problem for the 36-year-old TV personality.
Anthony credits his roots for his being a naturally opinionated person.
He relates what turns out to be a colorful life: "Siguro dahil sa ako ay isang hampaslupa lang.
"Anak po ako ng isang bus driver na nakatuntong lang sa third year high school.
"Ang aking pong ina ay nakatapos lang ng elementary.
"At ang mga nakakasalamuha kong mga tao ay puro opinyon.
"Kapag umupo ka ho sa harapan ng mga tao, puro opinyon.
"Ganyan po ang mga taong walang magawa, e, mga istambay lang.
"Kapag nagkaumpukan na sila, opinyon, opinyon, opinyon.
"Doon ka makakapulot ng mga matatalinong opinyon.
"Doon sa mga kung tawagin natin ay mga street smart na mga tao. Siguro 'yon po ang mga na-absorb ko."
With the load of information he gets every day, particularly the negative news he has to air on television, how does Anthony Taberna avoid being stressed?
He says, "Sa totoo lang, stressful talaga ang mga balita namin.
"Lalo na kung may kinalaman sa kabuhayan ng mga tao, sa krimen, at sa pulitika.
"Kaya lang, may pamamaraan para pagaanin ang pagtalakay sa mga isyu, na 'yong balitang malungkot napapasaya mo at 'yong mabigat ay mapapagaan mo."
He adds, "Gusto ko, magaan lang ang pagdadala ng buhay. Laging masaya.
"Kahit malungkot ang buhay, pwede mong gawing katatawanan.
"Palagay ko, nakatutulong 'yon para huwag ka agad tumanda dahil ang kalungkutan po ay nakakapagpabilis ng pagtanda."
DEALING WITH DEATH THREATS. In his 19 years in media, Anthony has delivered explosive reports.
He has reported on election-related controversies like the Garci Tape, where former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is generally understood to be talking to Commission on Election officer Virgilio Garcillano about putting in a cushion of a million votes in her favor, in the battle for the presidency with Fernando Poe, Jr.
He has also wrapped up exclusive interviews with such players as Maguindanao election supervisor Lintang Bedol, who exposed the alleged fraud committed by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
He has also scored scoops, such as his report on former Batangas Governor Antonio Leviste allegedly being given special treatment at the New Bilibid Prison.
Since most of Anthony's subjects are prominent people with means, he does not deny that, on occasion, he receives death threats.
The ABS-CBN newscaster says that when he was younger, he was not bothered at all by these threats.
"Tatapatin ko po kayo, noong ako'y binata pa, bale wala ho sa akin ang mga death threats.
"Ang katuwiran ko po diyan, kung ayaw mong ma-death threats, hindi po dapat media ang pinuntahan ko.
"Dapat ako po ay nag-sastre na lang at nag-sulsi ng mga sirang damit sa bahay ko para di ako ma-death threats.
"Noong binata po ako noon, sabi ko, 'Wala akong katatakutan na death threats."
Admittedly, this has changed.
He explains to the media present, albeit lightly: "Noong ako'y nagkaasawa, sinabi ko, ang ganda naman ng asawa ko, kapag namatay ako, e, di mag-aasawa lang 'to.
"'Tapos po, lalo akong natakot sa death threats noong 'pinanganak ang aking panganay na si Zoe at saka nasundan pa ng isa ring magandang chikiting na si Helga.
"Puro babae po itong iiwanan ko kung saka-sakali.
"Kaya sabi ko, hindi pa panahon para maiwanan sila.
"So, takot na takot po ako minsan."
Anthony also narrates instances when he was coaxed by his wife to be more cautious in his job.
"Kaya nga po minsan hinaharang ako ng misis ko.
"Halimbawa po sa XXX at sa Iba Balita, 'yong tungkol po doon kay Leviste, Ampatuan, at kay Bedol, sabi niya, 'Baka puwedeng sa iba mo na ibigay 'yan kasi baka balikan tayo niyan.'
"Alam niyo po, muntik ko nang pagdesisyunan na pabor sa suhestiyon ng misis ko."
But Anthony says it was during those times that he realized what it took to be a broadcaster.
"Naisip ko, ano na lang ang itatawag sa akin ng makakaalam ng pagtiklop ko sa isang hamon?
"E, di, wala talaga akong puwang sa larangang ito kung tatalikuran ko lang?
"So, 'pinaliwanag ko po sa kanya na bahagi ng tungkuling ito ang banta sa buhay.
"Sabi nga po natin sa Ingles, 'yan po ay occupational hazard.
"Tinanggap ko po 'yang mga hamon na 'yan."
Anthony is simply grateful because his life as a broadcaster is currently "peaceful."
"Wala naman pong death threats," he smiles.
"Sabi ko nga po kanina, kapag matahimik ang dagat, medyo mapanganib.
"Kaya medyo nag-iingat pa rin po ako para sa akin at sa pamilya ko."
More importantly, Anthony stresses, "Ako po ay malakas manalangin sa Panginoong Diyos.
"Sinasabi ko ho palagi na bantayan ako palagi at ang aking pamilya.
"Sapagkat ako po ay naniniwala na kahit ano'ng pag-iingat ang gawin ko, kahit kumuha ako ng isang batalyong bodyguard, kapag may isa pong papatay sa akin, maipapatupad at maipapatupad ho iyon."