Agusan del Sur town readies Baterbonia’s gravesite for Undas

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — Municipal officials in Talacogon, Agusan del Sur are stepping in to ensure an orderly, peaceful visit to the gravesite of the late basketball standout Rene Clert “Bobet” Baterbonia during the Undas or All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day celebrations on Nov. 1 and 2.

Talacogon Mayor Pauline Marie R. Masendo personally inspected the municipal burial grounds to oversee cleanup operations and ensure crowd order.

The sprawling new Talacogon Public Cemetery covers at least 10 hectares, developed after the local government unit decided to establish a new site because the old municipal cemetery was already full.

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READ: Family of Baterbonia bars vloggers from his gravesite

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Baterbonia’s grave remains the only one so far at the new cemetery, situated just a stone’s throw away from his family’s new home in Barangay Labnig.

According to the mayor’s office, cleanup and spatial adjustments are underway to keep a clean, organized, and solemn atmosphere for fans and visitors paying their respects, while preserving the dignity and quiet of the grounds.

The municipal intervention comes shortly after the athlete’s mother, Rovelyn Baterbonia, appealed to vloggers and social media content creators to stop unauthorized filming and photography at the gravesite, while the family finishes constructing a protective shelter over his tomb.

While welcoming genuine well-wishers to offer prayers, she stressed that the family’s grief should not be exploited for online views.

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Meanwhile, Rovelyn pushed back against online criticism surrounding the sale of commemorative items and the operation of a small tribute space dedicated to her son.

In a televised interview on “Fast Talk With Boy Abunda,” Rovelyn firmly denied claims that she is capitalizing financially on her son’s death.

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READ: Baterbonia’s mom reiterates call for justice on 40th day of his death

“Sa totoo lang, hindi ko pineperahan ‘yung anak ko, ‘yung pagkamatay ng anak ko, kasi kahit ni piso, hindi po ako nanghingi [sa] kahit sinong tao,” she said. (Truth be told, I am not making money off my son or his death, because I haven’t asked a single peso from anyone.)

Rovelyn explained that Bobet had thought of selling memorabilia before he died.

“Nung buhay pa po ‘yung anak ko, ‘yun na po ‘yung iniwan niya sa akin na negosyo. Siya ‘yung nakaisip na magbenta kami ng mga memorable niya,” she said. (When my son was still alive, that was the business he left me. He was the one who thought of selling his memorabilia.)

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Addressing the P30 entrance fee for the athlete’s mini-museum, Rovelyn clarified that all proceeds go strictly toward the maintenance and operational upkeep of the facility./coa