Rovelyn Baterbonia recalls Rene's promise: 'Pagdating daw ng June, hindi na ako mamomroblema'

As she continues to grieve the loss of her son, Ateneo de Manila University student-athlete Rene Baterbonia, Rovelyn Baterbonia recalled how the young athlete had assured her that better days were ahead for their family.

Before leaving their hometown in Agusan del Sur to fly to Manila and begin his collegiate journey at his dream school, Ateneo, 18-year-old Rene made a promise to his mother. He told her that 70 percent of his allowance would be sent home to help support the family, while he would keep only the remaining 30 percent for his personal expenses.

But that promise is now a painful memory for the Baterbonia family after Rene and teammate Divine Adili tragically lost their lives in a drowning accident during the Blue Eagles' team-building activity in Aurora on June 8.

READ MORE | Ateneo recruit Rene Baterbonia, foreign student athlete Divine Adili die in drowning incident

"Pinagusapan kasi namin, pagdating daw ng June hindi na ako mamomroblema. Kasi lahat daw provided na," Rovelyn told GMA Integrated News' JP Soriano.

"Kaya nga nu'ng nag-open na kami ng ATM, sabi niya 'sige lang, ma, kunin mo 'yan kasi pipirma ako doon, 'yung 70 percent sa'yo [at] 'yung 30 percent sa akin pero 'yung sa akin hindi ko 'yun gagalawin. 'Yung sa'yo ikaw na bahala kung anong gagawin mo'."

"Basta lahat provided na talaga pagdating ng June."

(We talked, come June, I would not have to worry anymore. Because everything will be provided... When we opened an ATM, he said, 'Go ahead and take it, ma. 70 percent will go to you and 30 percent will be mine, but I will not touch my part. Yours, you have free reign over what to do with it... Everything will be provided when June comes.)

Rene was once regarded as one of the country's most promising young basketball talents, making a name for himself on the grassroots stage through the Palarong Pambansa.

He played a key role in steering the Davao Region to its breakthrough championship in the 2025 edition held in Ilocos Sur before leading the squad to another finals appearance the following year in his home province of Agusan del Sur.

Rovelyn is now seeking answers and clarity about her son's death.

In a recent post, Baterbonia said she is rejecting the apology issued by the now-resigned Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin, who failed to appear before the Philippine National Police–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) on Monday despite being served a subpoena.

The investigation into the deaths of Rene and Adili continues.

On Tuesday, several former and current Ateneo players appeared before the CIDG and National Bureau of Investigation to give statements regarding the traditional team-building activity.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News