Rovelyn Baterbonia, mother of late Ateneo de Manila University basketball player Rene Baterbonia, has asked supporters to commemorate her son’s 100th day of passing in a simple and prayerful way.
Rene passed away on June 8 alongside his teammate Divine Adili in a drowning incident during their team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.
In a Facebook post on September 5, Rovelyn shared her request ahead of Rene’s commemoration.
“Hi. Good morning sa lahat. Gusto kong walang mangyaring celebration sa puntod ng anak kong si Rene Clert Baterbonia para sa 90th or 100th day (commemoration niya).”
Instead of bringing food, decorations, or other material offerings, Rovelyn said she would prefer a commemoration centered on prayer, saying that she would rather focus on the legal case involving her son than hold a large gathering.
“Gusto ko lang ng simpleng pagdasal. Ayaw kong may makarating na litson, pizza, balloons, at kung ano-ano pa man kasi hindi ko muna tatanggapin ‘yung mga ganiyan ngayon. Uunahin ko muna ang kaso ng anak [ko], sana maintindihan niyo ako.”
While she does not want material gifts for the occasion, Rovelyn said those who still wish to extend their support may instead send monetary assistance directly to her as the family continues their fight for justice.
“Hindi ko kailangan ng materyal na bagay kasi [ang] gusto ko [ay] dasal. At kung may mga konting tulong na ipapaabot [kayo sa akin], pwede [ninyo nang] i-deretso sa akin,” she wrote.
The grieving mom added her personal e-wallet details in the post and asked those who will voluntarily send donations to provide a screenshot of their transactions for her to check.
“SALAMAT [NANG] MARAMI...❤️❤️❤️❤️,” she ended.
Rovelyn’s message was met with support from followers, who expressed their understanding that prayers and financial assistance could help the family as they navigate the ongoing legal battle.
“Better po na prayers and financial support para sa kaso ni Rene Baterbonia 2.0❤️🙏🏻para makuha ang hustisya!,” one supporter commented.
“Thank God nag voice out din si mommy, mas need nila ng support for the case dahil mahaba habang laban ang tatahakin nila for justice,” another wrote.
Just last August, Rovelyn also spoke out after concerns were raised about people allegedly capitalizing on her son’s death. In a post on her official Facebook account, she maintained that their family continues to seek justice for Rene and warned that they would take legal action against anyone who might take advantage of their situation.
She also addressed accusations that the family was profiting from Rene’s death through the sale of jerseys, explaining that they had already been selling merchandise even while he was still alive to help with their family’s expenses.
“Gusto ko lang po ipaalam sa lahat po ng nagsasabing pinagkakaperahan ko ang anak ko. Buhay pa po man siya nagbebenta na po kami ng jersey at kabilinbilinan nya dati pa para may pandagdag sa gastosin ng aming pamillya,” she asserted.
Rovelyn added that their family was not asking people for money and emphasized that any financial assistance they received was given voluntarily by those who wanted to help.
In the same post, she also asked those who may have been scammed by individuals using Rene’s name to provide their transaction numbers, saying she would try to assist them and pursue a legal case.
Despite the support and donations that the family has received in the months since Rene’s passing, Rovelyn has continued to emphasize that justice is what she ultimately wants for her son.
“Hustisya po Ang hiling ko di po PERA!!salamat din sa mga taong patuloy na sumusupirta para sa amin..alam ko pong may diyos na gumagabay sa amin.”
Meanwhile, the Ateneo de Manila University said in a statement last August that it continues to communicate with the Baterbonia family. The university has expressed its willingness to meet with the grieving family and provide the answers and support they may need.