June 12, 2026. Today is the first day of Rene Baterbonia's wake and viewing in his school's Christ the King Chapel of Ateneo de Davao University's Senior High School campus.
Rene Baterbonia, 19 and Divine Adili, 21 are members of the Ateneo Men's basketball team that had been victims of an accident during a team building session in the Aurora private beach resort in the Municipality of Dipaculao, Bulacan, led by Ateneo's basketball coach Tab Baldwin.
The incident occured on June 8 approximately 2 PM. Rescuers were able to retrieve both players and were rushed to the Aurora Memorial Hospital but were declared dead on arrival.
As of now, Divine Adili is undergoing processes to be safely brought back to his home country of Nigeria to reunite with his grieving family.
Adili's parents, Elias and Ifeoma have publicly appealed for an investigation of the university's sports and athlete's protocols and an investigation of what happened to their son.
Currently at the time of writing this report, June 12, is the first day of Rene Baterbonia's wake before being returned to his hometown of Talacogon, Agusan del Sur.
The second and last day of his wake are on June 13-14 starting at 10 AM and ending at 10 PM, there will also be a mass for each day at 6-7 PM according to the Addu SHS' official Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BmWAtdMDQ/
The front of the chapel where there is a wall screen commemorating Rene's achievements and experiences.
Capturing of images and videos are prohibited within the chapel. Friends and families are given seats closer to the altar while visitors and attendees are assigned at the back part of the chapel.
A long line of fans wanting take a picture of his jersey, while later on another line is formed headed into the chapel for the viewing of Baterbonia's casket.
Outside the school campus' main gate is a long line of hundreds of attendees intending to pay their respects for Rene.
May we offer our prayers for the souls of both Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, along with their grieving families that they may still find a way to prosper despite the unfortunate loss of their youths.