DAVAO CITY – The family of the late Rene Clert “Bobet” Baterbonia stepped into a fully furnished condominium unit on July 3, 2026, a gift that fulfilled a young athlete’s dream. The National Housing Authority turned over the 42‑square‑meter home at Madayaw Residences as a full, cost‑free grant, ensuring the Baterbonias have a secure place to live in the city Bobet called his launchpad.
A Dream Fulfilled Posthumously
Bobet’s parents, Rene Sr. and Ruvelyn, walked through the unit on Friday morning, greeted by NHA‑XI officials. The two‑bedroom space, complete with a dining and kitchen area and a terrace, represented the safety net their son had always wanted for them. He had planned to move his family to Davao so his mother could oversee his youngest sibling’s schooling.
The gesture went beyond the walls of the condo. Contractor Bilrey Construction, through its owners, fully furnished the home with a television, air conditioning units, a refrigerator, a washing machine, a microwave oven, and an induction cooker. Every appliance was chosen to ease the family’s transition and provide immediate comfort.
A Rising Star Cut Short
Bobet’s basketball career was nothing short of meteoric. At Ateneo de Davao Senior High, he helped the Davao Region secure its first‑ever Palarong Pambansa gold in secondary boys’ basketball in 2025, earning tournament MVP honors. He also powered the Philippine team to gold at the 14th ASEAN School Games in Brunei.
In the 2026 Palarong Pambansa held in Agusan del Sur, Bobet led the Davao Eagles to a silver‑medal finish. That tournament, which ended just days before his death, would be his last. He had already committed to play for Ateneo de Manila in the UAAP, but on June 8, during a team training session in Dipaculao, Aurora, both Bobet and teammate Divine Adili drowned.
A Community Rallies Around the Family
The condominium unit, valued at around P2.26 million, was awarded by NHA General Manager Joeben Tai at no cost to the family. Located in Bangkal, the Madayaw Residences sits close to the Ateneo de Davao campus where Bobet first rose to national prominence. The proximity to the school carries symbolic weight.
NHA‑XI Division Manager Shirley Brion and other regional personnel welcomed the family personally. Their presence underscored the agency’s recognition that behind every athlete is a family that sacrifices and dreams alongside them. The turnover was not a transactional event but a moment of shared grief and solidarity.
Remembering a Legacy of Gold
Bobet’s achievements continue to inspire young athletes across Mindanao. His historic gold‑medal performance in 2025 broke a long drought for the Davao Region and proved that talent thrives far from the capital. Coaches and teammates remember his leadership and his relentless drive to uplift those around him.
Though his life ended before his collegiate career could begin, his legacy endures in the titles he won, the barriers he shattered, and now, in the home he secured for his family. The condo at Madayaw Residences stands as a permanent tribute to a son who gave everything for the sport he loved and the family he cherished.
