The Heartbreak of a Mother I don’t even know how to put it into words—peru duha ka semana nako sigeg hilak, mamahaw, maniudto ug luha. 💔 Somehow, na‑sayangan na wala na sya. I am completely heartbroken, and I deeply miss a child who wasn’t even mine. We weren’t related, and I wasn’t even a basketball fan—I knew nothing about the sport. I first learned about Rene “Bobet” Baterbonia when his signature dunk went viral on TikTok, and when I heard that DAVRAA would compete in the Palarong Pambansa 2025 in Ilocos Norte. That caught my attention right away; I began rooting for DAVRAA and cheering them on. Rene Clert Baterbonia was later awarded the Most Valuable Player (MVP) title in that tournament. The tight hug Rene shared with his mother right after every game touched my heart so deeply that I wanted to learn more about him. I discovered he came from a humble, simple family in Agusan del Sur. I was amazed to find out this six‑foot‑tall young man was of pure Filipino blood and belonged to an Indigenous Cultural Community. He inspired me so much. I even asked my son’s father to buy a basketball and teach our boy how to play in his free time. His father is quietly good at the sport. I would always tell him: “Tudloe na imong anak ug basketball ba!” I believe basketball skills can be learned, but height is truly a gift. Still, I will never force it; I will always be here to guide and support whatever path my son chooses. Then came June 8, 2026. My coworkers—especially the guys who love basketball—were talking loudly in our group chat about the terrible news: Rene Baterbonia had passed away. I was in total denial of what I read; I refused to believe it was him—the MVP. But when the official news was released and I saw his mother overcome with grief, the painful reality sank in. As a mother blessed with only one child—a boy who is incredibly gentle and responsible—I felt utterly devastated. This news broke my heart completely; I could feel the weight of grief, the endless tears, and the unbearable pain of Rene’s mother. This tragedy feels unbelievable and unfair. But it became clear to me: this is a loud wake‑up call to every parent. The moment you are entrusted with a child, you must always choose what is right. Always put your children’s well‑being above your own desires. Choose their happiness and peace so they can live full, joyful lives. To husbands and wives, and live‑in partners: Always choose your family first. Always choose love. When you love each other fully and unconditionally, there will be no broken homes. The love a child witnesses becomes the lifelong blueprint for a beautiful character. This is also a wake‑up call for all of us: love and respect every child, even if they are not ours—no matter who they are or who raised them. It reminds us to stay humble and always choose love and compassion. If I were given the chance to have a conversation with Rene’s mom and dad, I wouldn’t even know what comforting words to say—their pain is immeasurable and unbearable. Masakitan gani kog taasan lang ug kilay akong anak sa laing tao or yam‑iran! 🥺 The least I can do is sincerely pray that God grants their family the comfort and strength they truly need. May everything that helps them heal and move forward be given to them and all their deeply grieving loved ones. May they feel all the peace and comfort in the world. And I will ask God all over again: Please, if reincarnation is true, let RENE be reborn in his mother’s womb once more—and set right everything that went wrong, and undo all that should never have been done. 🥺🙏 Dong Rene, you deserve your mom once more; your mom and dad deserve you once more. Please heal them. 😭💔 The exact same prayer goes out to Devine Adili’s family. May there be justice for Rene Clert “Bobet” Baterbonia and Devine Adili. 🤍🥀 - m3lg - @alyanah2392