Rene Baterbonia's dad marks first Father's Day without son: 'Masakit na Masakit Talaga'

While many families celebrated Father's Day together on Sunday, Rene Baterbonia Sr., known in their hometown as Boboy, spent the occasion carrying the pain of a loss no parent ever wants to endure.

It has been nearly two weeks since Boboy, along with the rest of the nation, began mourning the untimely death of his son, Rene Clert Baterbonia, who died in a drowning incident in Aurora alongside his Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles teammate, Divine Adili, on June 8.

This year's Father's Day also marked a heartbreaking first for Boboy, who celebrated the occasion without his second-born son for the first time.

"Siyempre Father's Day tapos ganito 'yung nangyari kay Rene. Siyempre malungkot dahil magfa-Father's Day nang wala siya," the elder Baterbonia told GMA News stringer Rey Suravasquez in an interview.

"Masakit na masakit talaga."

The elder Baterbonia, from Barangay San Nicolas in Talacogon, Agusan del Sur, has always placed a premium on education while teaching his children the values of respect and discipline, two principles he hopes other fathers and parents likewise instill in their own children.

He also urged fellow fathers to closely monitor their children's activities and remain actively involved in their lives.

"Sa mga tatay diyan, Happy Father's Day na lang. Sana ingatan n'yo mga anak n'yo, bantayan n'yo nang maigi kung ano 'yung ginagawa nila araw-araw," Boboy added.

"Para sa mga ama na nanonood ngayon, dapat 'yung anak n'yo is number one, disciplined."

Boboy now hopes his six other children will finish their studies, something that the late Rene had hoped for before his passing.

"Si Rene Clert Baterbonia, lumaki siyang may respeto talaga at tsaka inaruga namin para maging mabuti rin siyang bata at magalang. Ang pangarap ko sa mga anak ko ay makapagtapos ng pag-aaral. Pito silang lahat, itataguyod namin na makapagtapos talaga sila ng pag-aaral dahil ayon lang 'yung maibibigay sa kanila na kayamanan."

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA News