Rene Baterbonia received a farewell fit for royalty by the small town of Talacogon, Agusan del Sur, on Wednesday.
From Arlington Memorial Chapel in Quezon City to Ateneo de Davao University and finally to the Talacogon Municipal Gymnasium, the young basketball standout was showered with love at every stop of his final journey.
Baterbonia passed away at just 18 years old following a drowning incident in Dipaculao, Aurora, on June 8 that also claimed the life of his teammate, Divine Adili.
Thousands came to pay their respects throughout the wake. Many had witnessed his journey from a promising young athlete in Talacogon to earning an athletic scholarship at Ateneo de Manila University, one of the country’s most prestigious institutions.
Yet it was his tragic death that united an entire nation in grief alongside the Baterbonia family.
As Rene’s casket was sealed before his interment at the Talacogon Municipal Memorial Park — the first person ever to be laid to rest there — his mother, Rovelyn, broke down in tears despite expressing gratitude to the countless people who stood by their family throughout the wake.
(C) PPIO Agusan del Sur
“Huwag mong patulugin ang mga gumawa sa’yo nito, anak! Huwag mo silang patulugin! Lahat sila! Huwag mo silang patulugin kapag hindi sila nagsasabi ng totoo! Mula sa staff, coach, at players, huwag mong patulugin. Hindi man lang humingi ng tawad,” she said.
“Porke’t mahirap lang tayo, hindi sila nanghingi ng tawad sa atin. Tao lang tayong lahat, nasasaktan din. Tao lang tayo.”
During Rene’s wake at Arlington Memorial Chapel, members of the Ateneo Blue Eagles paid tribute to their fallen teammate.
At Ateneo de Davao University, priests, teachers, classmates, friends, and former teammates gathered to honor the young athlete who once walked the halls of the school.
Back in Talacogon, the outpouring of support was overwhelming.
Residents filled the municipal gymnasium day and night, while people from neighboring towns and provinces also traveled to pay their final respects.
Throughout the entire wake, however, resigned Ateneo Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin neither visited nor personally reached out to Rene’s parents.
Still, Rene’s final homecoming to Talacogon was a sight to behold.
The municipal gymnasium was packed to capacity throughout the viewing, a testament to the profound impact he had on the lives of those around him.
Among those who made the trip to Talacogon were Barangay Ginebra stars Scottie Thompson, Nards Pinto, and Sonny Estil, as well as Senator Robin Padilla and actress Sofia Andres.
(C) PPIO Agusan del Sur
On Wednesday morning, thousands lined the national highway as Rene made his final journey from the municipal gymnasium to the memorial park, a distance of roughly 450 meters.
Leading the solemn procession was a silver carriage adorned with glass panels that revealed the casket within, allowing mourners one final glimpse of the young athlete.
Behind the carriage, a man ran while carrying a Philippine flag, its colors waving in the wind as the procession moved toward the memorial park.
Pulled slowly by a pickup truck through the heart of the town, the shining carriage caught the morning light as residents walked alongside it in prayer and silence.
The scene — both heartbreaking and beautiful — was a final ride befitting a hometown hero whose short life had left a lasting mark on an entire community.
Meanwhile, in Nigeria, the Adili family awaits the return of their son, Divine.
The remains of the 21-year-old left the Philippines on Tuesday. Friends and teammates were present to bid him farewell before he was flown back to his home country.
The repatriation process took 15 days to complete.
As the two young athletes are finally laid to rest, many questions remain unanswered.
And in the coming days, the reports detailing what truly transpired on June 8 will be revealed — not only to the families seeking answers, but also to a grieving nation still searching for the truth.
