The truth was all that the parents of Divine Adili needed.
After flying from Lagos to Manila, Elias and Ifeoma Joy Adili, the parents of the beloved Ateneo center, finally received first-hand accounts of the truth they had been seeking.
According to the Adilis, the situation back home in Nigeria has been difficult given the circumstances surrounding their son’s death.
“Because we, too, have been bashed at home. From our tradition, a father burying his son is a taboo,” the parents said.
All they had hoped for since then was to learn the full details of what happened to their son on June 8 in Dipaculao, Aurora, so they could bring the truth home to their loved ones and their entire community.
According to Elias, he and his wife spoke with Divine’s teammates who were present at the scene.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“We talked to the teammates because they are the ones who will tell us what happened. They are the ones present at the scene,” he shared.
He recounted specific details that the Blue Eagles shared with them, including the stories of those who escaped the rip current, those who had to fight to save their own lives, and how their son and Rene Baterbonia ultimately could not make it.
For the Adilis, this was the most important reason for making the long journey to the Philippines: to hear the facts directly from those who were there.
“We heard from them. That was our purpose of coming: to see the team, to talk to them, and to tell us the truth.”
Ifeoma Joy also recalled their experience dealing with the Philippine Embassy in Nigeria.
She had nothing but praise for those who assisted them in processing the necessary documents for the retrieval of their son and their visit to the country, as well as for those who showed love and support for Divine.
“The reception was so good,” she said.
“So [now that] we have learned the truth and I think I can now go back and tell them this is what happened,” added Elias.
As far as the Adilis are concerned, their visit to the Ateneo de Manila campus was successful in giving them what they had long desired—the truth.
“It is only the truth that will set you free.”
