Actors Gerald Anderson and Claudine Barretto visited the wake of student-athlete Rene Baterbonia to express their condolences to his family.
In a Facebook post, Baterbonia's former coach, Jess Linus Evangelio, known as Coach Jess, thanked Gerald for personally attending the wake in Quezon City. According to Coach Jess, Gerald managed to bring a smile to Rene's mother, Rovelyn, even for a moment, amid their grief.
Anderson had earlier expressed his sorrow over the young athlete's death. He also shared that he had played basketball with Baterbonia just over two months before the tragedy. Anderson said the loss of a young man with a bright future in basketball is a huge loss.
Meanwhile, videos of Claudine's arrival at the wake also circulated online. She was seen offering condolences and support to Baterbonia's mother before accompanying the athlete's remains back to their hometown in Agusan del Sur. In a brief interview with reporters, Claudine said she visited to sympathize with the family. She added that Baterbonia's mother is one of her supporters. "Just offering my condolences," the actress said briefly.
Baterbonia, 19, was one of two players from the Ateneo de Manila University men's basketball team who died during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora on June 8, 2026, along with another victim, Divine Adili, 21, a Nigerian national. After the incident, several celebrities including Gary Valenciano, Gretchen Ho, and Regine Velasquez expressed their grief and called for a clearer explanation regarding the incident that led to the deaths of the two athletes.
