Ateneo Establishes Scholarship in Honor of Student-Athletes Lost in Drowning Incident

MANILA, Philippines — Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) has established a scholarship program in honor of student-athletes Divine Adili and Rene “Bobet” Baterbonia, marking the 40th day since their passing. In a statement, ADMU announced that the Blue Eagle Athletic Scholarship fund is a tribute to the two student-athletes who passed away in a drowning incident during a team activity in Aurora last June 8. “We hope these scholarships will ensure that their names, their spirit, and the values they embodied continue to inspire and support future generations of Ateneo student-athletes,” ADMU stated. The university added that the financial assistance shall be provided to aspiring student-athletes outside Metro Manila, administered under ADMU’s Office of Admission and Aid. Earlier, ADMU President Fr. Robert ‘Bobby’ Yap, SJ, presided over the 40th day memorial mass, attended by faculty members, classmates, and players of the men’s basketball team, solemnly honoring the period since Baterbonia and Adili passed. “Even after 40 days we are not moving on. We continue to offer care for the grieving families of Rene and Divine, for our players and their families, and for the coaching staff,” Yap said. During the brief message of gratitude and remembrance, basketball member, Ian Espinosa, shared a few sentiments about teammates Baterbonia and Adili. “Divine and Rene, we entrust you to God, go be with him, rest in his peace, you’ve fought the one big fight. We’re going to be okay down here, we’ll keep fighting the way you taught us to, and we hold on to the promise that this isn’t goodbye forever,” Espinosa shared. Meanwhile, Dr. Nikki Carsi, ADMU chair of the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies and homeroom teacher of Adili, also gave a parting message, highlighting the legacy left by the student-athletes. “The legacy of Divine and Bobet is already moving among us. It lives in the difficult but necessary conversations we’re having. It lives in the athletic reforms that we’re shaping, it lives in the absolute promise that our students’ voices will guide the path forward,” Carsi expressed.