Rene Baterbonia film to push through despite financial, political pressure – Padilla

Metro Manila, Philippines – Senator Robin Padilla said a planned film about late Ateneo men’s basketball player Rene Clert “Bobet” Baterbonia will push through despite what he described as financial pressure and the politicization of the entertainment industry.

In a Facebook post, Padilla said the project would continue and tell Baterbonia’s life story through film.

“Hindi po tayo bumibitaw sa paglalahad sa pamamagitan ng pelikula ang buhay ni Rene Baterbonia,” Padilla said.

[Translation: We will not give up on telling the life of Rene Baterbonia through film.]

Padilla said his sister and director BB Gandanghari and filmmakers from Mindanao were already prepared to proceed with the project.

“All set na si direk BB Gandanghari at mga filmmakers ng Mindanao,” he said.

The senator also claimed that the project was facing financial pressure and accused unnamed individuals of politicizing the entertainment industry.

“Kahit ginigipit na po tayo kahit sa usaping pinansyal ng mga mapaniil na mga nagsasabing sila ay matitinong tao at pati mundo ng industriya ng entertainment ay kanilang pinupolitika,” Padilla said.

[Translation: Even as we are being pressured financially by oppressive people who claim to be decent and who are also politicizing the entertainment industry.]

Padilla did not identify the individuals he was referring to or provide details about the alleged financial pressure.

Film to tell Baterbonia’s story

Baterbonia was an 18-year-old basketball player from Talacogon, Agusan del Sur, who was set to join the Ateneo Blue Eagles for UAAP Season 89.

He was a standout of the Ateneo de Davao University basketball program and had represented the Davao Region in the Palarong Pambansa.

Baterbonia died on June 8 during a team-building activity of the Ateneo men’s basketball team in Dipaculao, Aurora.

Ateneo confirmed that he and fellow student-athlete Divine Adili died following a drowning incident.

Gandanghari, Padilla’s sibling, had earlier announced plans for a film about Baterbonia’s life and had sought actors to portray the late basketball player and his parents.