DAVAO CITY — Ateneo de Davao University announced on Saturday that it will provide scholarships to all six siblings of Rene Clert ‘Bobet’ Baterbonia.
The announcement was made by Fr. Karel San Juan following the 6 p.m. Mass at the Christ the King Chapel.
“Matutupad na ang isa sa mga pangarap ni Bobet” (“One of Bobet’s long-held dreams is finally becoming a reality”), San Juan said, drawing applause from those in attendance.
According to San Juan, pursuing education opportunities for his family was among Baterbonia’s aspirations and one of the reasons he went to Manila in hopes of succeeding in the country’s top basketball leagues.
The Mass was presided over by Fr. Eric Anthony Escandor, who reflected on Baterbonia’s life and passion for basketball during his homily.
“Bobet lived the maxim mens sana in corpore sano—a sound mind in a sound body—in his own beautiful and unmistakably unique way,” Escandor said.
He recalled that academics were not Baterbonia’s strongest area, noting that teachers often found him asleep during classes. However, he said the young athlete came alive whenever he stepped onto the basketball court.
“But when he enters the basketball court, he transforms. Bobet was a young man whose mind came fully alive the moment a basketball was in his hand,” Escandor added.
Escandor encouraged mourners not only to grieve Baterbonia’s passing but also to celebrate the impact he made on those around him.
“And he lived in a way that touched many lives. That is what we celebrate tonight,” he said.
Despite the early morning rain, mourners continued to gather at the Bangkal campus to pay their final respects to Baterbonia.