Bishop Ruben Labajo: Ateneo Star Rene Baterbonia’s Legacy Lives On in Every Dream He Inspired

TALACOGON, Agusan del Sur — The life and legacy of promising Ateneo basketball player Rene Clert Baterbonia continue to inspire many, according to Bishop Ruben Labajo, who described the young athlete as a beacon of hope and determination.

During a Mass held at Baterbonia’s wake in Talacogon on Monday evening, June 22, the bishop said the 18-year-old’s impact extended far beyond the basketball court.

“Rene was a rising star, an MVP who played with the passion of a purpose-driven young man,” Labajo said in his homily. “His life was never just about fame and the points he scored. It was about the lives he touched.”

The bishop added that Baterbonia’s story resonated with Filipinos because it reflected the aspirations and struggles of many young people striving for a better future.

Baterbonia, a standout athlete from Ateneo de Davao Senior High School and the Most Valuable Player of the 2025 Palarong Pambansa, was set to make his collegiate debut for Ateneo de Manila University in the upcoming UAAP season this September.

He and teammate Divine Adili, 21, tragically drowned during a team-building activity in Dipaculao on June 8. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident.

Known for his talent and determination, Baterbonia dreamed of using basketball as a path to lift his family out of poverty. His journey from a small town in Agusan del Sur to one of the country’s premier collegiate basketball programs inspired countless young athletes.

Baterbonia’s wake in Talacogon concludes on June 23. He is scheduled to be laid to rest at the town’s new municipal cemetery on June 24.

As family, friends, teammates, and supporters bid farewell, many remember him not only as an exceptional athlete but also as a young man whose dreams, perseverance, and humility touched lives across the nation.