Mother of late Ateneo Basketball Player Rene Baterbonia bans vlogging, photos at son’s grave

Rovelyn Baterbonia, mother of late Ateneo Blue Eagles basketball player Rene Baterbonia, has appealed to vloggers and visitors to stop taking photos and videos at her son’s grave beginning Tuesday, October 13, 2026.

In a Facebook post on Monday, October 12, Rovelyn announced that the family would begin constructing a protective structure over Rene’s grave and requested that the burial site no longer be used for social media content.

“Good evening po sa LAHAT ng blogger na bawal na Ang pag vedio sa pontod ng aking anak dahil simula bukas ay magpapagawa na kmi ng Bahay para sa puntod ng aking anak,” she wrote.

Rovelyn clarified that only the Baterbonia family and the Municipal Information Office of the Talacogon local government would provide updates concerning the gravesite.

“Walang Ibang mag update doon kondi Ako lang at sa Municipal Information Office-LGU Talacogon lang po,” she stated.

However, she emphasized that visitors are still welcome to pay their respects, provided they refrain from taking photographs or recording videos directly at the grave.

“Sana maintendihan nyo. Pero ang lahat ng gusto bomesita sa puntod ng aking anak ay welcome po kayo.”

“Pro Wala Mona mag vedio at picture sa puntod mismo kaya sana konting respito lang po nagpapasalamat family baterbonia,” she added.

Rene passed away on June 8, 2026, during a team-building activity involving the Ateneo Men’s Basketball Team in Dipaculao, Aurora.

Fellow student-athlete Divine Adili also died in the same incident.

Four months after the tragedy, Rene’s family continues to honor his memory while asking the public to respect their privacy and wishes.