Camille Naredo

Ateneo De Manila University campus in Katipunan, Quezon City in this photo taken on May 26, 2023. Gigie Cruz, ABS-CBN News/File

Ateneo De Manila University campus in Katipunan, Quezon City in this photo taken on May 26, 2023. Gigie Cruz, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

ATENEO DE MANILA

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178214352233920230526-ateneo-de-manila-GCS151442.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Ateneo De Manila University campus in Katipunan, Quezon City in this photo taken on May 26, 2023. Gigie Cruz, ABS-CBN News/File"/>Ateneo De Manila University campus in Katipunan, Quezon City in this photo taken on May 26, 2023. Gigie Cruz, ABS-CBN News/File</div>MANILA – The Ateneo de Manila University is observing a 40-day mourning period following the deaths of its student-athletes Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia. Adili and Baterbonia died in a drowning incident during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora last June 8. In a memorandum issued on Monday, ADMU President Fr. Roberto &quot;Bobby&quot; Yap SJ invited the community to observe the mourning period which began on June 8, 2026. &quot;As we continue to grieve the tragic loss of our brothers, Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, I invite the entire University community to join me in observing the 40-Day Period of Mourning, which began on 8 June 2026 and will conclude on 17 July 2026,&quot; the memo signed by Yap read. &quot;During these days of mourning, we shall fly the Ateneo flag at half-mast, offer the daily Masses at the College Chapel for Rene and Divine, retain the black cloth on our campus fences, temper celebratory announcements and activities where possible, and adjust the LuxID (Lux in Domino) Electronic Billboard messaging accordingly,&quot; it further read.  <div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/11/persons-of-interest-identified-subpoenas-issued-in-probe-of-ateneo-players-drowning-1744">READ: Persons of interest identified, subpoenas issued in probe of Ateneo players&#x27; drowning</a></div>The Ateneo president likewise encouraged the University&#x27;s various academic units and administrative offices &#x27;to hold other appropriate Catholic and University rituals of mourning.&#x27;  &quot;As we observe this communal period of mourning, let us commend the souls of Rene and Divine to our Lord and accompany them with our fervent prayers. May the mercy of God through the intercession of our Blessed Virgin Mary sustain their bereaved families and friends and grant peace and eternal rest to Rene and Divine,&quot; the memo ended. Ateneo earlier called for a &#x27;thorough fact-finding investigation&#x27; into the tragic incident. Last Friday, Ateneo formed the Task Force on Reforming the University Athletics led by Fr. Roberto Exequiel Rivera SJ to conduct a rigorous review of the athletics program.  The University had earlier accepted the resignation of Ateneo Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin and team manager Epok Quimpo a week after the tragedy. Several law enforcement agencies are investigating the incident with current and former Ateneo players, as well as the coaching staff receiving subpoenas.  The remains of Baterbonia have since returned to his hometown of Talacogon, Agusan del Sur, while the body of Adili has been <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/6/22/divine-adili-s-remains-flown-back-to-nigeria-1755">flown back to his home country of Nigeria</a>.

The Ateneo de Manila University is observing a 40-day mourning period following the deaths of its student-athletes Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia.

The Ateneo de Manila University is observing a 40-day mourning period following the deaths of its student-athletes Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia.

Ateneo observes 40-day mourning period following Adili, Baterbonia deaths

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Ateneo observes 40-day mourning period following Adili, Baterbonia deaths

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 22, 2026 11:59 PM PHT

Read More:

Basketball

Ateneo de Manila University

Ateneo Blue Eagles

Divine Adili

Rene Baterbonia

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