Regine Velasquez gets emotional over deaths of two Ateneo basketball players
- Regine Velasquez questioned accountability after Ateneo basketball tragedy
- The singer expressed sympathy for the families of Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili
- Velasquez raised concerns about school waivers and the responsibility of institutions to ensure student safety
- The deaths of the two Ateneo players continue to draw reactions from the Philippine basketball community and the public
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Veteran singer and actress Regine Velasquez has spoken out following the tragic deaths of Ateneo basketball players Rene Clert Baterbonia and Chukwuemeka Divine Adili, who drowned during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.
Source: Instagram
In a social media post, Velasquez expressed grief over the incident while also raising questions about accountability and the role of educational institutions in ensuring the safety of students under their care.
“Who si liable?” Velasquez asked at the beginning of her message.
The singer reflected on the trust parents place in schools, emphasizing that families entrust institutions not only with their children’s education but also with their well-being.
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“As parents we always want the best for our children. We want them to experience and enjoy what life has to offer. School is like their second home and we put our trust in the institution not only to teach them how to be productive and hopefully be successful but more importantly to teach them how to be Godly,” she wrote.
Velasquez noted that parents generally support activities such as field trips and team-building events because they provide valuable experiences and opportunities for growth.
However, she admitted that she has long been uncomfortable with the practice of requiring parents to sign waivers before such activities.
“The thing that I’m not so comfortable with is signing a ‘waiver.’ Why? The school is responsible for educating our kids but is not responsible for their safety? I don’t understand!!!” she said.
The singer also acknowledged that her reaction was deeply influenced by her perspective as a mother.
“I’m externally emotional about this because I am a mother and I am sure all mother’s would agree that even if we sue those that are responsible for any tragedy —— a loved one’s life has been lost and will never be returned.”
Velasquez concluded her message by extending sympathy and prayers to the families grieving the loss of the two young athletes.
“We empathize with the parents of those who lost their beloved sons in the recent tragedy and our hearts and prayers go out to Regine Velasquez gets emotional over deaths of two Ateneo basketball players.”
The deaths of Baterbonia, 19, and Adili, 21, have deeply affected the Philippine basketball community. Tributes have continued to pour in from fellow athletes, coaches, students, alumni, celebrities, and supporters both in the Philippines and abroad.
Baterbonia was a highly regarded young player who previously starred for Ateneo de Davao and was named Most Valuable Player at the 2025 Palarong Pambansa. Adili, meanwhile, was a Nigerian student-athlete who had already seen action for the Ateneo Blue Eagles in UAAP Season 88 and was widely respected by teammates and coaches.
The tragedy has also sparked broader discussions regarding safety protocols, accountability, and risk management during athletic and team-building activities involving student-athletes.
Many members of the public have echoed calls for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident while urging respect and compassion for the grieving families during this difficult time.
Earlier, Ateneo de Manila University released a comprehensive update on June 11 regarding the deaths of Blue Eagles players Rene Clert Baterbonia and Chukwuemeka Divine Adili. The university reaffirmed its determination to establish the facts surrounding the tragedy while continuing to provide emotional, pastoral, and material support to the families affected by the loss. Ateneo also announced an independent fact-finding inquiry and emphasized its commitment to transparency, accountability, and the welfare of its student-athletes.
In a previous report, the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Manila issued an official statement concerning the death of Chukwuemeka Divine Adili, one of the two Ateneo players who died during the June 8 incident in Dipaculao, Aurora. The embassy conveyed its condolences to Adili’s relatives, friends, teammates, and the broader Nigerian community. It also disclosed that it has been coordinating closely with the family, Ateneo de Manila University, Philippine authorities, and other stakeholders while providing consular assistance and support as investigations continue and arrangements for the repatriation of Adili’s remains move forward.
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