Grief and gratitude: Ateneo holds Baccalaureate Mass with black ribbons

Graduating AB Economics student Vinzen Josh Borja leading the Panalangin ng mga Magsisipagtapos during the Baccalaureate Mass wearing his black band (Screengrabbed from Ateneo de Manila University’s livestream on Youtube)

MANILA, Philippines — Graduating Ateneo de Manila University students gathered on Friday in “grief and gratitude” during its Baccalaureate Mass for the Loyola Schools Class of 2026 wearing black bands and ribbons in remembrance of late student-athletes Rene “Bobet” Baterbonia and Divine Adili.

Presiding over the Mass, Ateneo president Fr. Roberto Yap acknowledged the community’s grief as graduates, faculty members, and families gathered ahead of the commencement exercises.

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Ateneo De Manila University President Fr. Roberto Yap presides over Baccalaureate Mass (Screengrabbed from Ateneo de Manila University’s livestream on Youtube)

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“We take pride in your achievements. But like all of you, we also carry a heavy sorrow,” Yap said.

“As expressed by our black bands and ribbons, our community grieves the tragic loss of our beloved student-athletes, Bobet and Divine. We hold them and their families in our prayers during this Mass,” he added.

He again acknowledged criticisms directed at the university in the aftermath of the tragedy, reiterating his apology and acknowledging “missteps” in handling the situation.

Despite the grief, he urged the community to honor the achievements of the graduating class and to bring both “grief and gratitude” to the celebration.

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“So at this Baccalaureate Mass, we bring both our grief and our gratitude to the altar of the Lord, asking Him to help us transform our suffering into a collective prayer for healing for Ateneo,” Yap said.

Meanwhile, delivering the homily, former Ateneo president Fr. Bienvenido Nebres reflected on the Gospel’s image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd.

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“We need this reassurance of a God who loves and cares for us in this time of tragedy and darkness in our Ateneo community,” Nebres said.

Former University President Fr. Bienvenido Nebres delivers the homily. (Screengrabbed from Ateneo de Manila University’s livestream on Youtube

“Beyond the pain and the grief, we are here to remember and to celebrate your sacrifices, the many sleepless nights and the beautiful times that you and your parents have gone through,” he said.

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Nebres likewise urged graduates to resist a growing “culture of power” and instead help build a “civilization of love” through integrity, compassion, and service to others. /gsg