Radio anchors Anthony Taberna and Gerry Baja were the latest addition to the number of ABS-CBN employees retrenched by the network.
During their program Dos Por Dos on DZMM Teleradyo on Friday, the tandem said their final goodbye to the network and to their 17 years on the program.
“Kami po ay nagpapaalam na sa tunay po nitong kahulugan,” said Taberna.
Dos Por Dos is the latest casualty in the list of programs canceled by ABS-CBN after their franchise renewal was denied by the House Committee on Legislative Franchises.
Baja said they understand the network’s decision because it really cannot sustain such a big workforce without a broadcast franchise.
“Iyan po ay nauunawan naman natin. Kung ikaw ay sasahimpapawid lang sa pamamagitan ng cable at digital at social media, hindi ho matutustusan ang pangangailangan lalo na sa dami ng empleyadong dapat pasuwelduhin.
“Kahit sa ibang kompanya pa, kahit sa ibang klaseng industriya pa, kapag meron kang ginagastos na malaki at walang pumapasok na sapat na kita para tustusan ‘yung gastos na ‘yon, you have no other recourse but to stop the bleeding. And to stop the bleeding is to let you go, wakasan na ang kontrata.
“Alam natin na mabigat na gawin ‘yun sa panig ng management ng ABS-CBN, lalo na sa maraming mga empleyado rito na napakatagal nang naglilingkod. Pero sabi nga natin, kailangan gawin, para maisalba ang puwede pang maisalba,” said Baja.
Dos Por Dos has been on air since 2003. It has become one of DZMM’s premier commentary shows which made Taberna and Baja household names.
Meanwhile, prior to their stint in the DZMM, Baja used to be a news writer before he was given the opportunity to be a Radyo Patrol reporter. Taberna, on the other hand, joined in 1997 and he also got the opportunity to cross over from radio to TV.
Taberna thanked the network for all the opportunities it has given him.
According to him, ABS-CBN was instrumental in almost all aspects of his life right now. That’s why he will never forget all the help that the network has given him.
“Mahigit kalahati po ng buhay ko, nandito ako sa ABS-CBN,” ani Taberna. “Kaya kong sabihin sa lahat na ang ipinakakain natin sa pamilya natin, at sa iba pang taong umaasa sa atin, pati na ‘yung pinagsimulan ng maraming oportunidad sa buhay natin, ay dahil po sa ABS-CBN. Hindi po mawawala sa ating puso ‘yun.”
While it is painful to bid goodbye to the network he grew to love, Taberna said he understands the situation.
“Ito pong paghihiwalay namin ng ABS-CBN ay hindi madali. Ayaw po namin, pero noong kami ay sabihan tungkol sa financial constraints, naunawaan po namin ang sitwasyon ng ABS-CBN. Mahal po namin ang kompanyang ito, mahal po namin ang mga nangangasiwa rito.”
Taberna and Baja were constant targets of ABS-CBN supporters for their silence on the ABS-CBN franchise issue. The two were even tagged DDS or die-hard Duterte supporters for their constant praise of the administration in their radio program.
