A memorial Mass was held in Talacogon, Agusan del Sur in honor of Ateneo basketball players Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili. Talacogon Municipal Information Office via Hernel Tocmo, ABS-CBN News
DAVAO CITY — Memorial Masses were held in Talacogon, Agusan del Sur and in Dipaculao, Aurora in honor of Ateneo basketball players Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili 40 days after their deaths during a team-building activity.
Many Filipinos traditionally mark the 40th day as the end of the mourning period.
Residents of Dipaculao held a memorial Mass on Sunday along the shoreline where the two young athletes died. They also offered flowers and displayed photos in their memory.
In Talacogon, the 40-day remembrance began with a tribute run on Saturday, followed by a memorial gathering at the cemetery where Baterbonia is laid to rest.
Ateneo marks 40th day since deaths of student-athletes Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia
Supporters, family members, relatives, and members of the community flocked to the Talacogon cemetery to remember and offer prayers for the young athlete whose life was cut short.
Baterbonia’s tomb was adorned with flowers, photographs, and a basketball, a symbol of the dreams of a young athlete who went to Manila to pursue his passion.
But just four days after arriving in the capital, he drowned during a team-building activity of the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
His mother, Rovelyn Baterbonia, continues to seek clear answers and justice for her son's death. She also expressed her heartfelt gratitude to everyone who helped the family cope with the tragedy.
“Kung mabubuksan pa lang ang puso namin, may napakalaking sugat na parang hindi na maghihilom. Pero dahil sa inyo, tinulungan niyo kaming maka-survive,” she said in her brief speech.
Meanwhile, the Ateneo de Manila University also held a memorial Mass at the Church of the Gesù on Friday to mark the 40th day since the tragedy.
The university also announced the establishment of the Blue Eagle Athletic Scholarship Fund in honor of Adili and Baterbonia.
The fund aims to provide financial assistance to deserving student-athletes from outside Metro Manila.
Formal investigations into potential liability for the deaths continue.
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