Why does it hurt so much for Filipinos when Rene Baterbonia passed away?
Maybe because many of us saw ourselves in him.He was driven, hardworking, and full of dreams. A son who loved his family deeply and wanted nothing more than to give them a better life.
His story was not just about basketball. It was about hope, sacrifice, perseverance, and the courage to keep chasing a dream despite life's challenges.
We see ourselves in that journey.
We all have dreams we're still building, goals we're still chasing, and loved ones we're working hard for.
That's why this loss feels different.
It hurts because we saw a part of ourselves in him.
Not just a promising athlete, but a young Filipino carrying the same hopes, struggles, and dreams that so many of us carry every day.
And when his journey ended too soon, it reminded us of how precious life is and how deeply we value the dreams we hold close to our hearts.