Rovelyn Baterbonia sees actress Dimples Romana playing her if the planned film about the life of her late son, basketball player Rene Baterbonia, pushes through.
In an interview with Boy Abunda, Rovelyn was asked which actress she prefers to portray her in the movie.
“Si Dimples Romana,” she immediately answered, with Boy noting that Dimples is indeed a very good actress.
However, when asked if she already had an idea who would play Rene, Rovelyn said: “Hindi pa po nila sinasabi sa akin.”
READ: Rovelyn Baterbonia denies profiting from the death of son Rene Baternonia
Rovelyn was also asked if there was an actor she would prefer to portray her son. She did not name anyone, explaining that she is not very familiar with many actors.
Rene died on June 8 together with fellow Ateneo de Manila University basketball player Divine Adili during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.
Since then, the Baterbonia family and the circumstances surrounding Rene’s death have continued to draw public attention. Senator Robin Padilla recently confirmed that the planned film about Rene’s life is moving forward, with his sister, BB Gandanghari, set to direct the film.
Rovelyn said she has already spoken with BB Gandanghari about the project and its script, adding that preparations for the movie are now underway.
“Mag-uumpisa pa lamang ng taping nila,” she said.
She also recalled how Senator Robin first approached her about turning Rene’s story into a movie.
“Nung naka-burol pa 'yung anak ko doon sa Arlington [Memorial Chapels and Crematory], bumisita si Senator Robin Padilla sa akin. Nagbigay tulong po. Sinabi niya sa akin na, 'Nanay, paano kaya kung gawan natin ng pelikula 'yung anak mo, papayag ka ba?' Sabi ko, 'Opo naman, ano namang masama kung [gawan] ng pelikula.'"
“Kaya nung araw din ng libing na anak ko, bumalik sila doon kasama si BB Gandanghari,” she added.
Asked about her relationship with BB Gandanghari, Rovelyn said: “Okay naman po. Actually, nandoon nga po siya sa Mindanao ngayon para mag-start ng 'yung taping."
For Rovelyn, the planned movie is an opportunity to introduce more people, especially young audiences, to the kind of person Rene was.
She hopes the film will show Rene not only as a basketball player but also as a son whose kindness had a lasting impact on his family.
“Gusto kong makilala lalo siya lalo ng ng kabataan ngayon. Sana tularan 'yung anak ko...para 'yung ibang bata rin makita nila kung anong kabutihan 'yung ibinigay sa akin ng aking anak.”
Rovelyn also said what she would say to Rene if she had the chance, expressing her gratitude for everything he did for their family.
“Kung buhay sana siya, ang [sasabihin] ko sa kaniya ay maraming salamat. Kasi kahit nasa kabilang buhay na siya ay inihaon niya pa rin kami sa kahirapan. Pangalawa, sana tulungan niya kami na maabot namin kung ano talaga 'yung katotohanan sa pagkamatay [niya].”
Following Rene’s death, the Aurora Provincial Police Office said his cause of death was asphyxia by drowning based on a post-mortem examination.
Meanwhile, Senator Robin previously said that the film would push through despite what he described as financial pressure and the supposed politicization of the entertainment industry.