Actor Gerald Anderson personally visited the wake of Ateneo Blue Eagles basketball player Rene Baterbonia, earning praise from the athlete’s former coach for bringing comfort to the grieving family.
Ateneo de Davao Blue Knights high school and college coach Jess Linus Evangelio, popularly known as Coach Jess, expressed his gratitude to Anderson after the actor paid his respects during the public viewing of Baterbonia’s wake at the Christ the King Chapel of the Ateneo de Davao Senior High School–Bangkal Campus on Friday.
In photos shared on Facebook on Saturday, June 13, Anderson was seen with Rene’s mother, Rovelyn Baterbonia, posing beside the late basketball player’s photo.
Coach Jess, who coached Baterbonia from his high school years through his participation in the Davao Region Athletic Association (DAVRAA) and Palarong Pambansa over the past six years, thanked the actor for lifting the spirits of Rene’s mother, even if only for a moment.
“Thank you so much Gerald Anderson gypa smile nimo mama ni Rene maski kadali,” Coach Jess wrote in his caption.
During Anderson’s visit, Rovelyn was seen smiling despite the immense grief brought by the tragic loss of her son. Several netizens also commended the actor for bringing a brief moment of comfort to the bereaved mother.
“Masaya ako at nakita kong nakangiti si nanay maski paano gumaan ang mabigat niyang dibdib,” one netizen commented.
Another wrote, “Tenks Gerald Anderson. Napangiti na si Mommy.”
“Kahit papano napa-smile mo si mommy, sir Gerald. Salamat,” a third commenter said.
Baterbonia’s death was among the tragedies that shocked the Philippine basketball community. On June 8, Ateneo de Manila University officially announced that Baterbonia and fellow Blue Eagles player Divine Adili had drowned during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.
Meanwhile, Ateneo Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin released an emotional video statement on Friday, June 12, expressing his sorrow over the incident.
“As a coach, we are entrusted with the growth of our basketball players, the development of these young men into future professionals, but mostly, as a coach, I’m entrusted by you, the parents and the families, with first and foremost, their well-being. And in this, I feel I’ve failed. And I’m sorry. To the depth of my being, I’m sorry,” Baldwin said.
The public viewing for Baterbonia continues through the weekend, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., as family, friends, teammates, and supporters gather to honor the life of the young athlete.
