Gerald Anderson, Claudine Barretto pay respects at wake of Rene Baterbonia

Gerald Anderson and Claudine Barretto were among those who visited the wake of student-athlete Rene Baterbonia to extend their condolences to his family.

In a Facebook post over the weekend, Baterbonia’s former coach Jess Linus Evangelio, popularly known as Coach Jess, thanked Anderson for personally attending the athlete’s wake in Quezon City.

“Thank you so much, Gerald Anderson, gipa smile nimo mama ni Rene maski kadali (Napa smile mo mama ni Rene kahit sandali),” Evangelio wrote alongside a photo with Anderson and the athlete’s mother, Rovelyn.

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Anderson had earlier expressed his sadness over Baterbonia’s death as he revealed that he had played basketball with the young baller about two months before the tragedy.

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“Yang batang yan, kalaro ko two months ago pa yun. He had a very bright future. Tragedy talaga,” Anderson told Jeff OliGar TV at the time.

“Nakakadurog ng puso, especially for someone in the basketball world, tapos nakita mo ‘yung potential ng bata,” he added.

@_itszekish :&lt&lt #renebaterbonia #claudinebarretto #justiceforrenebaterbonia #fyp #xyzbca #rip ♬ original sound – zekish ℘

Meanwhile, videos circulating online showed Barretto arriving at the wake and offering comfort to Baterbonia’s mother before the basketball player’s remains were taken back to his hometown in Agusan del Sur.

Speaking briefly to reporters outside the chapel in Quezon City, the actress said she visited the wake to express her sympathies. She also noted that Baterbonia’s mother is one of her supporters.

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“Nakikiramay lang,” Barretto said when asked about her visit.

Baterbonia, 19, was one of the two Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball team players who died during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, on June 8. The other was Nigerian athlete Divine Adili, 21.

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Following the incident, celebrities including Gary Valenciano, Gretchen Ho, and Regine Velasquez expressed grief and called for transparency following the drowning incident that claimed the lives of the two young men. /edv

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