His family, friends, and all the people whose lives he has touched gave him one final farewell.
On Wednesday, June 24, Rene Baterbonia, a player of the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles, was laid to rest in his hometown in Talacogon, Agusan del Sur.
The 18-year-old was given the final tribute by his family, friends, officials from the local government, and other townsfolk who all attended the burial on Wednesday morning.
Prior to transporting his remains to the new cemetery of the town, a funeral mass was held at the Talacogon Municipal Gymnasium, where the likes of Senator Robin Padilla and his sister BB Gandanghari were seen.
Ateneo also confirmed that Fr. Joaquin Jose Mari Sumpaico III SJ, Vice President for Basic Education, has been sent as ADMU’s official representative,
Meanwhile, a delegation from Ateneo de Davao University, led by Dr. Joan Grace Palconit, Principal of the Ateneo de Davao Senior High School, together with other representatives from Ateneo de Manila University, joined the young cager’s family and loved ones in Talacogon, Agusan del Sur as they laid him to rest.
Rene is one of the two ADMU Blue Eagles player who tragically passed during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora last June 8, with the other being Nigerian player Divine Adili.
According to the university, the remains of Adili had begun his journey to his hime country last June 22.
Currently, official investigations of authorities about the incident are still underway.