MANILA, Philippines — Ateneo de Manila University issued a statement on Tuesday, hoping to have a sit-down again with the Baterbonia family whenever they're ready.
Ateneo released the statement after Rovelyn expressed resentment in an interview with "Toni Talks" over how the institution handled things following the death of her son, Rene Clert, a member of the Blue Eagles basketball team.
Rene and teammate Divine Adili drowned during the Blue Eagles' team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora on June 8.
"We take this opportunity to reach out once again to the Baterbonia family, this time publicly, in the hope that we can finally sit down with them again, listen to them, provide the answers we can, and extend whatever care or support they may need, as we continue to do for other members of our community who have been affected," Ateneo wrote.
"We remain here for them, whenever they are ready." Ateneo said it made continued efforts to provide support to the Baterbonia and Adili families, privately.
The Katipunan-based school added that its president Fr. Bobby Yap personally met with Rovelyn to assure her the help that Ateneo was ready to extend.
"Since the tragic loss of Rene and Divine last June 8, we have continued our efforts to provide support to their families and loved ones, much of it quietly out of respect for their privacy and their need to grieve in the way they know best. We have made every earnest effort to remain in touch with both the Baterbonia and Adili families, while respecting the wishes and circumstances of each family, and continue to do so to this day," sad Ateneo.
"At Rene’s wake in Manila, our University President, Fr Bobby Yap, personally met with Mrs Baterbonia to offer his condolences and apologies, pray with her and offer Holy Mass, and assure her that the University stood ready to extend whatever help the family needed. Fr Bobby visited the wake several times, and the same offer of support was conveyed to the family at different occasions by other members of our community."
Ateneo said it granted the Baterbonia's family's request of space as they prepared for the commemoration of the 40th day of Rene’s death.
They tried to reach out after that but to no avail. Thus, they're requesting to meet with the Baterbonia family anew.
