A post by Rovelyn Baterbonia, mother of late Ateneo basketball player Rene Clert Baterbonia, has drawn strong reactions online after she asked supporters to skip a traditional 90th or 100th-day celebration for her son and instead offer prayers – with financial assistance sent directly to her.
Rovelyn said she does not want lechon, pizza, balloons or other material offerings brought to Rene’s grave, saying she remains focused on the case involving her son’s death.
“Hindi ko na tanggapin yong mga ganyan. Ngayon unahin ko muna ang kaso ng anak,” Rovelyn wrote.
“Sana maintindihan nyo ako. Hindi ko kailangan ng materyal na bagay kasi gusto ko dasal.”
She then told those who still wanted to help that they could send their assistance directly to her.
“At kung may mga konting tulong na ipapaabot nyo, kung pwede diretso nyo na sa akin,” she added.
Rovelyn also posted her GCash and GoTyme details and asked supporters to send screenshots of their transactions so she could verify the assistance.
It was that portion of the post that drew the most criticism from some netizens, with several expressing discomfort over seeing payment details included in a message concerning the remembrance of a son who died only months ago.
Some users described the post as “off” or “icky,” while others questioned the need to publicly solicit financial assistance in connection with Rene’s 90th or 100th day.
The backlash comes amid the family’s continuing pursuit of answers in the death of Rene, who was 18 when he and fellow Ateneo player Divine Adili, 21, drowned during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, on June 8.
The tragedy shocked Philippine basketball, with Rene remembered as a promising young player who had recently joined the Ateneo program after starring in youth basketball and being named MVP of the 2025 Palarong Pambansa boys’ basketball tournament.
Rovelyn’s post, however, has shifted the online conversation toward the way the family is choosing to mark her son’s death and receive support.
While critics have accused the mother of seemingly benefiting financially from the tragedy, there is no evidence in the post itself establishing that she is profiting from Rene’s death.
What is clear is that Rovelyn wants Rene’s upcoming remembrance to focus on prayer rather than celebration or material offerings and for anyone who still wishes to help, she prefers that the assistance go directly to her. (By The Staff)
