Rovelyn Baterbonia has denied accusations that she is profiting from the death of her son, Rene Baterbonia.
The Atenean basketball player, along with his teammate Divine Adili, died on June 8 during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.
Speaking with Boy Abunda, Rovelyn maintained that she never set sights on profiting over her son's death and that she never asked people for money.
“Sa totoo lang, hindi ko pineperahan 'yung anak ko, 'yung pagkamatay ng anak ko. Kahit ni-piso, hindi po ako nanghingi sa kahit sinong tao,” she maintained.
Following Rene’s death, supporters began purchasing merchandise from his family as a way of honoring the late basketball player. The items are sold under the Baterbonia's Collections, which include jerseys, perfume, photo albums, keychains, and other memorabilia.
READ: Rovelyn Baterbonia explains ‘₱30 entrance fee’ at Baterbonia’s Collections store
Rovelyn explained that the merchandise business was an idea Rene had while he was still alive.
“Nung buhay pa po 'yung anak ko, 'yun na po 'yung iniwan niya sa akin na negosyo. Siya 'yung nakaisip na mag-benta kami ng mga memorabilia kasi raw marami raw nanghihingi sa kaniya,” she stated.
“Kaya ayun, nag-umpisa kami. Kasi wala kaming puhunan, nagpost [muna] ako [kung] sinong gustong mag-order ng Baterbonia's Collections,” she recalled, noting that Rene’s Ateneo uniforms bearing the school’s name are not included in the collection.
She also shared that Rene had planned to coordinate with jersey suppliers himself so they could obtain items through consignment.
However, some netizens have expressed sadness over seeing Rene’s name continuously being used for the family’s business even now that he is dead.
Asked how she thought Rene would have reacted to the continued sale of his memorabilia, Rovelyn recalled the advice he would often give her whenever she faced criticism.
“Nung buhay pa po 'yung anak ko...palagi niyang sinasabi na 'Huwag na lang [patulan] ma, pabayaan mo na lang sila kasi darating din 'yung araw na ikaw 'yung hahanapin nila' Palagi niya 'yang sinasabi sa akin.”
Aside from accusations involving the Baterbonia’s Collections, Rovelyn also addressed reports claiming that she asks for a ₱25,000 talent fee whenever she is invited to events.
She firmly denied the allegation, saying she has never asked event organizers for payment to appear.
“Hindi po 'yan totoo, one hundred percent. Wala po akong hinihingi. Except doon sa mga games ng asawa ko na nagco-compete, kapag nanalo sila may maibibigay sa amin. Pero ako talaga, kahit sinong nag-imbita sa akin, hindi talaga ako nanghingi kahit ni-isang piso. One hundred percent.”
Rovelyn did, however, confirm that visitors are charged a ₱30 entrance fee to Rene’s mini museum. She explained that the amount is intended to help cover the museum’s maintenance costs.
Amid the criticism she has received online, Rovelyn shared a message for those who continue to bash her, saying: “Thank you kasi kayo 'yung nagbibigay sa akin ng lakas. Sana naman, kung mangba-bash kayo, 'yung katotohanan, hindi 'yung mga fake news.”
She also expressed her gratitude to the people who have continued to support her and the Baterbonia family.
“‘Nagpapasalamat po ako sa lahat ng sumusuporta. 'Yung nagbibigay ng damit ko, pants ko, relo ko, at tsaka bracelet ko...lahat ito binigay sa akin, maraming salamat po. And then po 'yung nagbigay po ng financial [donation] sa amin, maraming salamat po. Sa lahat ng nagpadala ng condolences at pagmamahal sa amin, maraming maraming salamat po sa inyo," she said.