MANILA, Philippines — The late Rene Baterbonia received a hero's welcome in his hometown Talacogon, Agusan del Sur early Tuesday.
Social media posts showed people flocking the streets as the Ateneo Blue Eagles recruit drew cheers and 'M-V-P' chants, while his funeral convoy took the roads from his high school alma mater Ateneo de Davao to the Agusan Municipal Gym, where his remains were temporarily laid.
The convoy reached the said destination at around 1 a.m.
The transfer of his remains from Davao to Agusan del Sur reportedly took 17 hours, extended by stops such as the public viewing of his remains at the Agusan del Sur provincial government complex.
Baterbonia, alongside teammate Divine Adili, drowned during a training activity with the Blue Eagles in Dipaculao, Aurora last week.
Baterbonia was 18 and Adili was 21.
A public viewing of his remains is set to start at 1 p.m. at the Talacogon gym.
