Rene Baterbonia's family remembers the boy behind the basketball dream

Before he was an Ateneo basketball player, Rene Clert "Bobet" Baterbonia was a son, a brother, a friend, and a young athlete who carried his family's dreams.

Days after his death during a team training activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, Rene's remains arrived in Talacogon, Agusan del Sur, where family and friends gathered to mourn the person behind the basketball jersey: a hardworking son who wanted to give his family a better life.

Jessica Soho personally flew to Agusan and visited the gym where Rene's body is resting.

His mother, Bebet, continues to struggle with the loss of her son.

"Parang OK, parang hindi rin. Kasi masasabi ko sa sarili ko, OK ngayon, marami pa akong kausap. Ewan ko pagkatapos," she said.

["It feels OK, but it also doesn't feel OK. Because I can say to myself, I'm OK now since I still have many people to talk to. I don't know about after this."]

She said the support from people who continue to visit and send condolences has helped the family cope.

"Pinipilit talaga namin na kayanin. Dahil nga 'yun sa mga tao na sumusuporta, nag-condolence at magpakita ng pagmamahal, hindi lang sa financial," Bebet added.

["We are really trying our best to cope. Because of the people who support, condole, and show love, not just financially."]

The son with a dream

Rene was the second of seven siblings. His parents, Bobot and Bebet, said he grew up knowing the value of hard work.

His mother sells goods at a market while his father works as a tricycle driver. Despite their financial struggles, they said Rene remained determined to help his family.

Before leaving for Manila to pursue basketball, Bebet shared that Rene helped sell keychains to support their household.

"'Yung keychain, Ma'am, binibenta namin ng 50 pesos lang. Para 'yung kulang sa amin is mapunan ng keychain," she said.

["We're selling the keychains for just 50 pesos, Ma'am, so that the sales can help cover whatever amount we are short on."]

She recalled that her son dreamed of making life easier for their family.

"Sabi niya, 'Ma, pagdating ng June, hindi ka na talaga mahihirapan.' Kasi siya, matutupad na lahat ang gusto," Bebet said.

["He said, 'Mom, by June, you really won't be struggling anymore.' Because he was finally going to get everything he wanted."]

Rene's father, who also played basketball, said he saw his son's potential at a young age.

"Nalaman ko may potential siya dahil sa tindig pa lang niya. Marunong siya humawak ng bola," Bobot said.

["I found out he has potential just from his stance alone. He knows how to hold the ball."]

He said Rene wanted to continue the dream he was not able to complete.

"Sabi niya, 'O sige, Pa, pagpapatuloy ko 'yung sinimulan mo na hindi mo naabot, ipagpapatuloy ko.'"

["He told me, 'Alright, Dad, I'll finish what you started. I'll achieve what you couldn't reach.'"]

Rene was accepted into Ateneo de Davao University before moving to Ateneo de Manila University.

His family said his dream was to play in the UAAP and possibly reach professional basketball.

"Kasi pangarap lang talaga niya makapaglaro ng UAAP, baka lang balang araw maging PBA. Kasi sabi niya, 'Kung ano daw 'yung Papa niya dati, dapat matupad niya 'yun din,'" Bebet said.

["His only dream was to play in the UAAP, and maybe make it to the PBA someday. He said he wanted to achieve whatever his Dad used to be."]

Teammates remember a friend who helped others

Rene's former teammates remembered him as someone who was always willing to help.

His teammates from Ateneo de Davao described him as a quiet person at first but someone who easily became a close friend.

"Kung may problema ka, maasahan mo siya," said former teammate Macky.

["Whenever you have a problem, he's someone you can rely on."]

Macky added that Rene was someone who avoided conflict and treated people kindly.

"'Yung ugali niya, walang kalaban sa mundo, Hindi siya marunong magalit," he said.

["He didn't have a single enemy in this world. He didn't even know how to get angry."]

Another teammate, Matt, remembered Rene as a source of positivity inside the team.

"Si Bobet is always positive. Siya ang nag-gi-give hope sa amin. Hindi 'yan siya nada-down," Matt said.

["Bobet is always the positive one. He's the one who gives us hope. He never lets himself get discouraged."]

For his teammates, Rene was an athlete with a future ahead of him.

"Dream come true niya talaga na makarating du'n sa Ateneo de Manila kasi dream school niya 'yun," one teammate said.

["Getting into Ateneo de Manila was a total dream come true for him because it was his dream school."]

Macky said he believed Rene had a promising future in basketball.

"Nanghihinayang kasi nawala na 'yung one of the greatest future ng Pilipinas. Kasi si Bobet mayroon talagang mararating," he said.

["It is heartbreaking because we have lost one of the country's brightest prospects. Bobet truly had a promising future ahead of him."]

Investigation continues amid public outrage

Rene and his teammate Divine Adili died after drowning during an Ateneo basketball team activity in Dipaculao, Aurora on June 8.

Some teammates later shared details about the tragic incident, saying they were briefed about water conditions before entering the sea. They said the waves became stronger during the activity, leading to panic among the players.

Authorities continue to investigate the incident.

The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) said it is looking into possible homicide or hazing, while the National Bureau of Investigation said it has yet to determine if charges should be filed.

"Wala pa kaming sasabihin na kaso na homicide or anything na violation until such time na matapos natin ang statement ng lahat na kukunan natin ng statement," NBI official Melvin Matibag said.

["We are not announcing any homicide case or any violation yet, until such time that we have finished gathering statements from everyone we need to interview."]

Ateneo de Manila University also apologized and said it would cooperate with the investigation.

"We face you today with heavy hearts speaking from a landscape of deep and profound pain and sorrow. When a young man dies, we mourn both the loss of life and the shattering of dreams," Ateneo president Fr. Bobby Yap said.

The University said it offered assistance to both families and created an independent fact-finding panel. It also accepted the resignation of head coach Thomas Anthony "Tab" Baldwin and team manager Epok Quimpo.

For Rene's family, however, what they continue to seek is a clearer understanding of what happened.

"'Yung sorry at tawad, hindi 'yun enough, hindi 'yun ang kailangan namin. Kailangan namin is 'yung sorry na malasakit, at katotohanan," Bebet said.

["Their apologies and pleas for forgiveness are not enough—that's not what we need. What we need is an apology rooted in genuine empathy and the truth."]

She said no amount of support could replace the loss of her son.

"Hindi namin kailangan kasi, talagang sanay naman kami sa hirap. Ang amin lang naman is, 'yun nga, 'yung sorry na may katotohanan at paninindigan sa sarili. Mahirap lang kami, pero mayaman kami sa respeto," she added.

["We don't need it because we are truly used to hardship. All we want is a sincere apology, one that comes with the truth and a sense of accountability. We may be poor, but we are rich in respect."] —JCB, GMA News