Ateneo creates 2 scholarship funds

In honor of Baterbonia, Adili

MANILA, Philippines — Forty days after the death of student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili during a team building activity in Aurora on June 8, the Ateneo de Manila University announced the establishment of two Blue Eagle Athletic Funds in their honor.

Ateneo president Fr. Roberto Yap said the scholarships would provide financial assistance to deserving student-athletes who hail from outside Metro Manila and would be administered by the Office of Admission and Aid to ensure that “Divine’s and Rene’s legacy continues to open doors, lift dreams and form men and women for and with others.”

Yap, who said mass yesterday to mark the 40th day since the incident, said the period is not merely a measure of time, but of trial, reflection and renewal.

“Even after 40 days, we are not moving on. We continue to grieve and accompany the families of Rene and Divine in their journey of mourning. We also remain committed to providing support to those affected by this tragedy, cooperating with the authorities, and continuing our ongoing institutional response and review efforts,” Yap said.

More than a tribute, he said the scholarships are Ateneo’s promise that “their names, their spirit, and the joy they brought to Ateneo athletics will live on in the young Eagles who follow them.”

“As a community, we also take this moment to renew our commitment to care more deeply for one another, so that the Ateneo our students come home to each day is ever more worthy of the trust placed in us,” Yap added.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has recommended charges against resigned Ateneo basketball head coach Tab Baldwin and seven members of the coaching staff for reckless imprudence resulting in two counts of homicide.

The seven are strength and conditioning coaches Ceasar Vincent Elumba and Grant Dearns; assistant coaches Reynaldo Jacinto Jr., Dean Caesar Castaño, Sandro Nicholas Soriano and Hernan Ameer Domingo and physical therapist Jeric Rueca.

They were reportedly responsible for the planning and conduct of the water-resistance run that led to the drowning of Baterbonia, 18, and Adili, 21.

Ateneo operations manager Francisco Zubia III and athletics director Emmanuel Fernandez as well as Frederick Zubia and Yedda Mary Rubio, co-managers of the Hermanos Leisure Farm and Surf Camp in Dipaculao, Aurora where the fatal team-building activity was held, are facing charges of simple negligence resulting in two counts of homicide.

Serving as complainants are the NBI, Baterbonia’s mother Rovelyn Baterbonia and the Nigerian embassy, as Adili was born in Umueri, Nigeria.

The NBI’s recommendations are on top of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group’s own findings that the Blue Eagles coaching staff, student managers and utility staff were liable for homicide, reckless imprudence and hazing.